Explore a Career with ST. GERARD'S COMMUNITY OF CARE

Mission Statement: Serving ALL in JESUS’ Name

Objective: To accurately identify and meet the activity and psych-social needs and preferences of the resident to achieve positive outcomes which promote resident satisfaction, well being and maximum function.

Supervision received: From Social Service Recreational Coordinator

Supervision given: Volunteers

Standards:

• Conducts self and performs duties consistent with the mission of St. Gerard’s, demonstrating an attitude of respect, compassion, acceptance and unity.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing and be able to process information accurately with staff members, residents, families and community resources.
• Has outgoing, pleasant and enthusiastic manner
• Is flexible, open to new ideas, results oriented and dedicated to continuous learning.
• Participates in effective and creative problem solving with other team members to achieve positive outcomes.
• Is able to organize and prioritize projects.
• Have basic computer skills to complete job requirements
• Must be able to plan and coordinate with attention to detail.
• Has knowledge of and able to utilize community based resource for resident programming.
• Must be able to display tact and good judgment with situations and individuals.
• Must be able to work well with others and maintain harmonious relationships with staff members.
• Must participate and achieve facility and department goals and quality measures.
• Is self directed and able to work without continuous direction.
• Adheres to Federal/State regulations and guidelines, including Resident Rights.
• Maintains integrity and a positive attitude within and about St. Gerards in our facility and in our community.

Specific Areas of Responsibility:

• Develop and maintain a supportive relationship with resident to provide for needs and preferences.
• Develops and provides a variety of individual and group activity that is stimulating, seasonal, person appropriate and based on assessed resident need, ability, preference and custom.
• Assist residents as needed to include the following:
  • Correspondence
  • Communication with their church
  • Contact with family about clothing needs
  • Help with personal shopping and hair care needs
  • Arrange for guardians, conservators or other legal services as needed
  • Store out of season clothing.
  • Participate in activity of preference
• With other department members prepares an accurate schedule of programming options.
• Interview resident/family to complete SS/Activity assessment within 14 days of admission.
• Develop with resident and family a care plan for SS/Activity areas based on resident assessed needs and preferences as assigned by Social Service/Recreational Coordinator
• Participate in care plan review meeting as assigned by Social Service/Recreational Coordinator
• Be alert to the social and emotional needs of residents and their families working with other departments and the social service consultant on positive solutions.
• Orients new residents and families to St. Gerard’s daily routine and programming options.
• Accommodates resident/family requests and preferences.
• Promotes self esteem and social interaction with residents.
• Use community resources to meet the needs and preferences of residents.
• Assists in dealing with challenging resident behaviors.
• Completes required documentation within required time frames.
• Prepares in advance for activity programs
• Participate in Quality Improvement activity for the department
• Use time wisely to enhance resident engagement.
• Works with volunteers to develop their abilities to meet residents’ needs.
• Prepare newspaper column about residents, St. Gerard’s activities
• Prepare bulletin boards to enhance communication with residents
• Explain Advance Directive and Bed Hold policy during admission process
• Attend regularly scheduled Resident Council Meetings
• Transports to medical appointments
• Performs basic nursing care functions safely, following policy/procedure. Such functions include but are not limited to: Assist /perform ADL’s, toileting, ambulation, mobility, dressing, feeding, oral care, shaving, assisting with meals/snacks, pressure ulcer prevention, use of needed equipment, hair care, nail care, bathing, recording I&O, ROM, repositioning, etc.

Physical/Mental Demands:

• Strength: Frequently must be able to push and pull residents weighing 75-250 pounds in wheelchairs and recliners. Must be able to manipulate wheelchairs and carts through doorways and into close fitting areas.
• Manual Dexterity: Must frequently be able to perform simple and complex manipulative tasks such as writing, typing, filing, using office equipment, scissors, hand tools, recreational games and adaptive equipment.
• Mobility: Constant sitting and standing are required. Frequent reaching, bending, kneeling and squatting are also required to obtain supplies and equipment.
• Coordination: Frequently must be able to move about in tight spaces and between objects, equipment and furniture. Frequently must use hand-eye coordination to perform typing, writing and assisting residents.
• Emotional Stability: Continuously must be able to deal effectively with stress created by sick resident, distraught family, multiple tasks, noises, interruptions and must be able to work cooperatively as part of the health care team while maintaining a pleasant demeanor.
• Vision: Visual acuity for identification of people entering and exiting facility and unusual occurrences. Near-sighted visual acuity to read typed and written materials.
• Hearing: Must be able to hear and distinguish normal sounds with background noise, ranging from conversational levels to high-pitched sounding alarms while using phones.
• Smell: Must be able to detect the smell of smoke and unusual odors in the environment.
• Concentration: Frequently must be able to concentrate on moderate and/or fine detail with frequent interruptions. Must be able to attend to tasks lasting from 10-60 minutes.
• Memory: Must be able to remember multiple tasks, messages and information from eight hours to long periods of time.

Qualifications:

• High school graduate
• Current driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Ability to perform the job professionally, demonstrating a good working knowledge of the principles and practices of the social service/recreational department in long term care.
• Participate in Continuing Education
• CNA training required