Elder Assistant (PRN)

Elder Assistant (PRN)

Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Caritas House, is currently seeking an Elder Assistant, who will provide essential support to residents who need around-the-clock care due to physical or social impairments. The role involves assisting with daily living activities and medication management, all while encouraging and upholding the residents' independence and personal choice at every opportunity. The work schedule is PRN or On-Call.

Catholic Charities of Baltimore Caritas House is a community for seniors that provides additional services that help our residents remain independent and safe. Our Elder Assistants help our residents with their activities of daily living including dressing, personal hygiene, housekeeping, and laundry services. The Care Assistant assists residents who are physically and/or socially impaired and need 24-hour oversight, with activities of daily living, always fostering residents' independence and freedom of choice.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assists with daily life activities, including dressing, bathing, and personal hygiene, care for essential devices, and support with tasks like phone use, housekeeping, laundry, and managing mail
• Ensures clear and accurate documentation on the Medication Administration Record (MAR) for every medication administered, refused, held, discontinued, changed, disposed of, or returned, following residence policy.
• Performs count of controlled substances with appropriate CMTs at the beginning and end of shift.
• Seeks guidance from a supervisor or Nurse Manager immediately if there are any doubts or questions about administering medications or treatments before proceeding with the task.
• Monitors for environmental safety hazards, disposing of infectious and potentially infectious waste according to residence policy and procedure, and OSHA regulations.
• Controls the spread of infection by following standard precautions.
• Accurately documents all incidents, errors, and accidents involving residents, staff, or visitors in accordance with agency protocols and regulatory requirements; ensures timely reporting to supervisors and participates in follow-up as needed.
• Assists with a variety of dining and housekeeping tasks, including picking up plates, supporting residents during meals, responding to immediate clean-up needs while providing care, and taking appropriate action when identifying housekeeping needs within the facility to ensure a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for residents.
• Maintains cooperative working relationships with staff and other departments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Lead Elder Assistant (405100): Serves as a point of coordination and leadership for other Elder Assistants, helps to oversee daily workflow, and ensures smooth communication between staff, residents, and families. The Lead helps to maintain a welcoming and organized environment.

• Trains new hires and delivers in-service sessions for staff as directed by the Director or Assistant Assisted Living Manager, ensuring staff competency and compliance with facility standards.
• Provides guidance, mentorship, and formal supervision to other Elder Assistants to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Assists with staffing adjustments as needed during the shift, including reassigning tasks based on resident needs and team availability.
• Rounds the building regularly to ensure Elder Assistants are alert, engaged, and completing duties as assigned.
• Apply strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate challenges and make informed decisions.
• Ability to remain alert, engaged, and responsive while supervising and assisting staff during shifts.
• Possesses the ability to influence and engage staff, fostering motivation and teamwork.
• Utilizes effective conflict resolution skills to address issues and maintain a positive work environment.
• Effectively prioritizes tasks and delegates activities as appropriate to ensure optimal workflow and productivity.

Experience Requirements:

• Ability to read and write legibly, follow both oral and written instructions, and maintain required confidentiality.
• Customer service-oriented, with the ability and willingness to work effectively with a diverse and elderly population.
• Flexibility in working hours to meet the needs of resident care.
• Reliable transportation for commuting to and from work to ensure punctuality and consistent attendance.

Certification/Licensure:

• Certified Medical Technician (CMT) in good standing with Maryland Board of Nursing.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in good standing with Maryland Board of Nursing OR Two (2) years of direct elder care experience and demonstrated competency evaluation with first seven (7) days of employment.
• First Aid Certification, within the first six months of employment.
• Food handling, within the first six months of employment.

Lead Elder Assistant (405100): Minimum of 2 years of direct care in a residential, assistant living, or long-term care setting.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Shows reliability by being punctual and maintaining consistent attendance.
• Good interpersonal skills and customer service skills, with polite and courteous demeanor toward staff, clients, and visitors.
• Maintains a safe environment for patients and co-workers.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including active listening.
• Ability to relate to, empathize with, and show compassion for a variety of personalities.
• Ability to act with discretion, tact, and professionalism in all situations.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• No remote or hybrid work availability based on core and essential functions of the position.
• Adjusting or moving objects up to 150lbs in all directions, which may include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or repositioning items as necessary to perform job duties.
• Engaging in communication with others to exchange information, which may involve speaking, listening, writing, or using electronic communication methods to ensure clear and effective understanding. This includes both verbal and non-verbal interactions with colleagues, clients, or external parties.
• Hearing and vision abilities, with or without correction, sufficient to drive safely and effectively observe and communicate with others.
• May encounter body fluids, potential infections, various odors, resident behaviors, and chemicals or cleaning solutions

We offer a wide range of benefits to meet the ever-changing needs of our employees including but not limited to:

• Health/Dental/Vision
• Vacation/sick/holiday pay
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with a discretionary employer contribution
• Tuition Advancement
• Paid Parental Leave

Join Catholic Charities of Baltimore where you will be an important member of a trauma-informed care organization that promotes a culture of safety, empowerment, healing, and self-care, and that believes that every person has infinite worth and promise.

Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer.