Position Title:Personal Care Assistant (PCA)

Position Summary

The primary function of the PCA Med-tech is to establish and sustain meaningful relationships with residents/families that support high quality of care and quality of life.The PCA Med-tech uses his/her expertise to organize daily household activities per the direction/needs of the residents who live there.The PCAs participate in self-managed work teams that ensure household activities are consistent with the Jah-Jireh mission, vision and values.The PCAs work in partnership with other professionals to support the physical, psychosocial and spiritual aspects of care-giving.

Duties and Responsibilities

Resident-Directed Care Functions

• Collaborates with residents and families to create opportunities for residents to direct their daily care and living experience.
• Observes and reports changes in condition to Resident Care Coordinator promptly
• Supports resident’s level of independence regarding personal hygiene and personal care needs, including but not limited to dressing and grooming, bathing, dental and mouth care, dining and nutrition, mobility, elimination, psychosocial and safety needs
• Measures, reports and documents vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, weight, and blood glucose levels as directed by the Resident Care Coordinator.
• Documents daily care-giving activities and related findings
• Maintains confidentiality and privacy of the resident
• Participates in and implements individualized resident care plans
• Makes occupied and unoccupied beds and change linens as requested by residents/families
• Administers medication for residents when required

Household Functions

• Informs Resident Care Coordinator of any needed supplies
• Organizes supplies necessary to support daily tasks and household operations
• Follows universal precautions, proper infection control, sanitation, food preparation and safety standards of practice in all work activities
• Works to prevent accidents and incidents, and reports them to the Resident Care Coordinator as they occur
• Communicates using the coaching skills of active listening, pulling back in emotionally charged situations, giving clear and direct feedback without blame or judgment and exploring options to problem solving.
• Plan and facilitate activities for life enhancement and purposeful engagement.
• Wash, dry, fold and deliver resident personal laundry
• Creates a communal, pleasant dining experience amongst household residents
• Welcomes residents and families to join in daily life on the households
• Performs light housekeeping functions including: empty trash, wash dishes/clean kitchen, straighten resident bedrooms, sweep and wipe tabletops, sweep and mop floors

Organizational Functions

• Attends and participates in ongoing training and educational classes
• Attends and participates in staff meetings as needed
• Follows policies of Legacy Place Cottage’s Employee Handbook

The above covers the most significant responsibilities of the position.It does not, however, exclude other duties, which would be in conformity with the level of the position.

• Completes special projects as assigned.
• In order to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the CP efficiently, CPs have the authority to:
• Honor resident directed choices including:
• Wake up times
• Sleeping times
• Time, frequency and method of bathing
• Meal times and food choices
• Individual and group activities
• Exercise and ambulation
• Going outdoors
• Grooming and dressing
• Personalization of room
• Socialization
• Problem Solving
• PCAs are first responders to resident and family concerns and will refer the concern to others in organization when appropriate/needed

PCAs will partner with the nurse and other professionals when/if resident preferences pose a health or safety risk or are symptomatic of a change in condition.

Qualifications:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Must have a minimum of high school diploma or GED certificate
• Must complete annual training as required by current regulations
• Must maintain FA/CPR certification

Language Skills:

• Ability to read and write fluent English
• Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to questions from residents, families, employees

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to use problem solving skills to assess variables in standard situations
• Ability to use critical thinking and common sense in understanding standard situations
• Ability to interpret and communicate a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

Physical Demands:The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.While performing this job, the PCA:

• Is regularly required to sit, talk and listen
• Is frequently required to handle objects, tools or controls
• Is regularly required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• Is occasionally required to lift and / or move up to 40pounds
• Is occasionally required to lift and / or move residents who need assistance
• Must demonstrate specific visual abilities that include close vision, distant vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

Work Environment:The characteristics of the work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.While performing this job, you may be exposed to:

• Harmful chemicals
• Moderate noise levels
• Agitated or anxious residents