STNA – Care Specialist

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

 

EDUCATION

 

It is required that the Resident Assistant has a minimum educational background of completing the 10th grade and be State Tested as a Nursing Assistant. It is preferred that the Resident Assistant has a High School diploma or equivalency.  It is preferred that the Resident Assistant holds a current CPR certification.

 

EXPERIENCE

 

It is preferred that the Resident Assistant has six months experience working in a nursing home, hospital, home health agency, or other healthcare facility.

 

SKILLS REQUIRED

 

Observe and assess at the Resident Assistant level the physical, psychosocial, and safety needs of residents/patients.

 

Communicate a sense of caring, concern, and dignity for residents/patients.

 

Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathering and analyzing information skillfully to develop alternative solutions both alone and with groups while using reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

 

Customer Service:  Manages difficult or emotional resident, family member, and employee situations, responding promptly to their request for service and assistance while soliciting feedback to improved service insuring that commitments are met.

 

Interpersonal:  Focuses on solving conflict and not blaming.  Maintains confidentiality.  Listens to others without interrupting and keeps emotions under control.  Remains open to the ideas of others and tries new things.

Oral Communication:  Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.  Listens carefully and gets clarification.  Responds well to questions.

 

Team Work:  Balances team and individual responsibilities, exhibiting objectivity and openness to the views of others.  Contributes to building a positive team spirit.

 

Planning and Time Utilization:  Consistently plans/coordinates work to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency without sacrificing quality, accuracy, and customer service.  Meets deadlines in completing job assignments and special projects.

 

Written Skills:  Writes clearly and informatively, edits work for spelling and grammar, varies writing style to meet needs, presents numerical data effectively, and is able to read and interpret written information.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Resident Assistants provide routine care in a manner conducive to the comfort and safety of residents in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, and within the established policies and procedures of the community; and are delegated the responsibility for carrying out the assigned duties by the Health and Wellness Director, Executive Director or other assigned supervisory personnel to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

ESSENTIAL

The following job functions have been determined to be essential to the position. Management reserves the right to modify this list and other functions as deemed necessary.

1.Verify the identification of a resident to assure appropriate care is being provided to the correct patient.
2.Recognize and respond to the needs of residents.
3.Report changes in the resident’s condition to the charge/staff nurse as soon as possible. Document in records.
4.Promote independence of resident decisions.
5.Report accidents and incidents when they occur.
6.Assist with resident move-ins, transferring, and move-outs.
7.Routinely review work assignments and schedules to update or change task objectives.
8.Perform assigned tasks in accordance with community policies and procedures as instructed by supervisor.
9.Notify supervisor of pending absence or tardiness within the timeframe described in the personnel handbook.
10.Report to supervisor all complaints and grievances made by residents, families, visiting individuals, agencies, etc.
11.Report resident leaving the community.
12.Communicate with co-workers at all levels to adequately meet the needs of residents.
13.As appropriate, help create an atmosphere of optimism, warmth, and interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit.
14.Meet with personnel as scheduled to assist in identifying and correcting problems and/or the improvement of services.
15.As instructed, assist residents with the following personal care functions and explain each procedure to the resident as care is given:b.Dental and mouth care
c.Bathing
d.Dressing and grooming
e.Hair care
f.Nail care
g.Shaving
h.Bowel and bladder care
i.Other personal and hygiene care

16.Observe and report the presence of pressure areas to prevent decubiti and provide skincare according to policy.
17.Assure that call system is within easy reach at all times and answered promptly.
18.Measure and record vital signs, such as temperature, pulse, respiration, weight, height, anatomical dimension/circumference, etc, as needed.
19.Report any resident abuse immediately.
20.Observe, monitor, and report symptoms of potential skin breakdown and/or decubitus ulcers.
21.Assist with the application of slings, elastic bandages, first aid, etc.
22.Observe, monitor and report condition of disoriented residents.
23.Attend and participate in orientation programs, on-going training and educational classes.
24.Follow established safety precautions and observe, monitor and intervene or report unsafe conditions in the facility.
25.Follow established smoking regulations and report violations.
26.Wash hands before and after performing services for residents.
27.Review Resident Assessment and Plans of Care to residents’ conditions, etc.
28.Maintain confidentiality and privacy of resident care, procedures and documentation, and communicate with the resident on an adult and mature basis with dignity and respect for the resident’s rights and wishes.
29.Immediately report any communicable or infectious disease that you contract.
30.Follow established universal precautions and isolation procedures
31.Perform emergency procedures such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.
32.Perform other related duties as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES

In addition to the essential job functions described above, the following job functions are important to the proper fulfillment of the duties of the Resident Assistant:

1.Document observed data on flow sheets, notes, charts, etc. in an informative and descriptive manner.
2.Introduce new residents to their roommate(s), if any, as well as to other residents and to co-workers as appropriate.
3.Watch for and report changes in room temperature, ventilation, lighting, etc.
4.Check light bulbs and report those needing to be changed.
5.Keep the residents personal articles off the floor and properly stored.
6.Inventory, identify, and help store resident’s personal possessions on an on-going basis.
7.Keep supply room, work areas, and equipment clean.
8.Assist residents in preparing for activity and social programs.
9.Assist with caring for resident eyeglasses, hearing aids, prostheses, etc.
10.Serve nutritional snacks between meal, bedtime and other.
11.Perform routine housekeeping duties related to resident care.
12.Clean used equipment such as utensils as assigned.
13.Assist and direct visitors as appropriate.

EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, MACHINES AND/OR TOOLS USED

The following is a list of the principal equipment, materials, machines, tools, etc., used:

Bedside commodes, bedpans, urinals Back Support Belt Bed and bath linens

Gait belts Special eating utensils Thermometers

Lift chairs Scales Wrist watches

Shavers/ razors Shower chairs Whirlpool

Soap and hygiene supplies Stethoscopes Walkers

Other miscellaneous devises/ nursing supplies Wheelchairs Whirlpool

Blood pressure cuffs Sphygmomanometers Wrist watches

PHYSICAL STRENGTH REQUIRED

Frequent body movements include lifting, moving, transferring, bending (static forward bending), stooping/squatting, and reaching. Able to do heavy lifting, pushing, pulling and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 (fifty) pounds. Ability to lift 50 (fifty) pounds unassisted with twisting and turning of trunk. Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Because the essential functions of the Resident Assistant position may require general involvement in a healthcare facility, including but not limited to exposure to AIDS, HIV and Hepatitis B viruses involving Risk Classification Categories 2 and 3, environmental and safety conditions will fluctuate. To be qualified for the position of Resident Assistant, a person will have the ability to work in this type of environment without posing a direct threat to self or others.

Email resume to michelle.pickett@thriveatwestchester.com