Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Helping residents with tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility as needed.

Medication Management: Assisting residents with medication reminders, ensuring they take prescribed medications on time, and reporting any concerns to nursing staff.

Meal Preparation and Assistance: Helping with meal preparation, serving meals, and assisting residents with eating if necessary. This may include accommodating dietary restrictions and preferences.

Housekeeping and Laundry: Performing light housekeeping tasks such as tidying up resident rooms, making beds, and ensuring common areas are clean and organized. Additionally, assisting with residents' laundry needs.

Socialization and Engagement: Engaging with residents in social activities, conversation, and recreational programs to promote mental stimulation, companionship, and overall well-being.

Monitoring and Reporting: Observing residents for changes in health or behavior and reporting any concerns to supervisory staff. This may include monitoring vital signs, documenting observations, and communicating with healthcare professionals as needed.

Assisting with Transportation: Providing assistance with transportation for medical appointments, shopping trips, outings, and other activities outside the facility.

Emotional Support: Offering emotional support, empathy, and companionship to residents, particularly those who may be feeling lonely, anxious, or distressed.

Assisting with Personal Care Services: Providing assistance with personal care services such as applying creams or lotions, helping with oral care, and maintaining personal hygiene.

Safety and Emergency Response: Ensuring the safety and well-being of residents by following safety protocols, responding to emergencies promptly, and assisting with evacuations or other emergency procedures as needed.

Documentation and Record-Keeping: Maintaining accurate records of care provided, resident activities, and any significant observations or incidents according to facility policies and regulatory requirements.

Collaboration with Healthcare Team: Collaborating with other care team members, including nurses, doctors, therapists, and social workers, to ensure holistic care and support for residents.

Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Help residents with tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility. This can involve providing physical assistance, emotional support, and maintaining dignity and privacy.

Vital Signs Monitoring: Take and record vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiration rate. Report any abnormalities or significant changes to the nursing staff.

Medication Assistance: Assist residents with medication management, including reminders, assistance with self-administration, and documenting medication administration according to facility protocols.

Mobility Assistance: Help residents with mobility needs, including transferring from bed to chair, walking, using mobility aids, and positioning in bed to prevent pressure ulcers.

Meal Support: Assist residents with meal preparation, serving, feeding if necessary, and encouraging proper nutrition and hydration. Be aware of dietary restrictions and preferences.

Personal Care Services: Provide assistance with personal care tasks such as oral hygiene, skin care, hair care, and nail care. Attend to residents' comfort and well-being.

Monitoring and Reporting: Observe residents for any changes in condition, behavior, or mood. Report observations to the nursing staff and document care provided accurately and promptly.

Safety Measures: Implement safety measures to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of residents. This may include using proper lifting techniques, maintaining a clean and organized environment, and following infection control protocols.

Comfort Care: Provide comfort measures to residents who may be experiencing pain, discomfort, or distress. Offer emotional support, reassurance, and companionship.

Communication: Maintain effective communication with residents, their families, and the healthcare team. Listen to residents' concerns, address questions or requests promptly, and report significant information to appropriate staff members.

Assistance with Therapeutic Activities: Support residents in participating in therapeutic activities, exercises, and rehabilitation programs as prescribed by healthcare professionals.

End-of-Life Care: Provide compassionate care and support to residents and their families during end-of-life stages, respecting their wishes and providing comfort measures.

Collaboration with Healthcare Team: Work collaboratively with nurses, physicians, therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure holistic care and meet residents' individual needs.

Continuing Education and Training: Participate in ongoing education and training to maintain and enhance skills, stay updated on best practices, and comply with certification requirements.

Medication Administration: Administer prescribed medications to residents according to established protocols and physician orders. This includes oral medications, topical medications, eye drops, ear drops, inhalers, and other forms of medication as directed.

Medication Management: Maintain accurate records of medication administration, including the date, time, dosage, route, and any observations or reactions noted. Document any missed doses or deviations from the prescribed regimen.

Medication Assistance: Assist residents with self-administration of medications as needed, ensuring they understand the purpose, dosage, and timing of their medications. Provide reminders and encouragement to promote adherence to medication schedules.

Medication Preparation: Prepare medications for administration, including measuring, pouring, cutting, crushing, or mixing medications as necessary. Follow proper procedures for medication storage, handling, and disposal to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

Medication Reconciliation: Assist in medication reconciliation processes, such as obtaining medication histories, verifying orders, and ensuring accuracy and completeness of medication records. Communicate any discrepancies or concerns to the nursing staff or prescribing healthcare provider.

Monitoring and Reporting: Observe residents for any signs of adverse reactions, side effects, or medication-related problems. Report any unusual symptoms, changes in condition, or medication errors to the nursing staff immediately.

Assessment and Documentation: Perform basic assessments of residents' health status, including vital signs, pain levels, and general well-being, as required by facility policies or as delegated by nursing staff. Document assessment findings accurately and timely.

Communication: Maintain effective communication with residents, families, and healthcare team members regarding medication-related matters. Address questions, concerns, and requests from residents and their families in a professional and compassionate manner.

Education and Support: Provide education and support to residents and their families regarding medication regimens, potential side effects, proper administration techniques, and medication management strategies. Encourage residents to take an active role in their own healthcare.

Emergency Response: Be prepared to respond to medication-related emergencies, such as allergic reactions, overdose, or adverse drug interactions. Follow established emergency procedures, including notifying appropriate personnel and providing first aid as needed.

Compliance and Quality Assurance: Adhere to all relevant regulations, policies, and guidelines related to medication administration and documentation. Participate in quality assurance activities, audits, and medication safety initiatives to promote optimal outcomes for residents.

Continuing Education: Stay informed about current trends, best practices, and developments in medication administration and senior care by participating in ongoing education and training opportunities. Maintain certification and licensure requirements as applicable.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Assists with the planning and implementation of activities for assisted living residents.  Helps design programs to encourage socialization, provide entertainment, relaxation, fulfillment, and improve daily living skills. May prepare reports on residents’ progress.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

     Communicate, advise, and inform Activities Director on a regular basis.

      Conduct activities as needed.

       Implement and follow a comprehensive activities program to help meet the spiritual, physical, social, and psychosocial needs of the residents as set forth by the Activities Director.

      Communicate, advise, and inform Administrator and other dept. heads on a regular basis.

      Assist as needed bringing residents to/from activities.

      Follow activities as set forth through monthly activities calendar that reflects the varied interests of the residents and provides them with enriching opportunities.

      Help Activities Director coordinate all special events, including holiday events.

      Ensure that residents are encouraged and assisted to attend activities that are of interest to them.

      Assist Activities Director maintain an adequate supply of equipment for regular activities, keeping within budgetary guidelines.

   Provide opportunities for residents to engage in various community service projects.

   Carry out other duties, although not detailed, as assigned by the Activities Director.

   Comply with Palouse Country Assisted Living policies, training programs, state and federal regulations.

 EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

      Desire to work with older adults.

      Ability to adapt to changes in work priorities.

      Flexibility to work with others in a variety of circumstances.

      Must be able to problem solve.

      Must be able to pass a background and fingerprint check.

      Must be able to pass a drug test.

      Must obtain a Food Handlers card within 14 days of hire.

      Must have current safety and orientation certificate before beginning work.

   Must obtain a 1st aid/CPR card within 14 days of hire.

   Must receive Mental Health and Specialty Dementia training within 120 days of hire.

   Mast be willing to receive a 2 step PPD test, the 1st step to be administered within 3 days of beginning work, or a 1 step PPD if a 2 step has been performed in the past 12 months.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to read, speak, write, and spell English.

Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Must be able to work well under pressure.

Possess the ability to relate tactfully with personnel, residents, and family members.

Dress must be according to the Assisted Living dress code.

Ability to maintain the confidentiality of resident’s information.

Must comply with current Personnel Policies and Procedures.

Ability to work as a member of a team.

This is both an indoor and outdoor job.  Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday, bending, stooping, standing, reaching, and lifting or supporting up to 50 lbs.  Must secure proper assistance for transferring and lifting residents as needed.  The Activities Assistant is expected to interact appropriately with family members, residents, other workers, and venders.