Personal Care Attendant - Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Join the Team Voted Best Place to Work in North County!

Why Work for Gary and Mary West PACE?

Because you're looking for more than just a job - you want work/life balance and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of North County seniors and their families.

At Gary and Mary West PACE, we support your personal and professional well-being with:

• Generous pay and a comprehensive benefits package focused on your health and wellness.
• 11 paid holidays, 13 days of PTO, and 5 days of sick time.
• A 5% employer match to our 403(b) retirement plan.
• No on-call time – because your time matters.

We invest in our team with an annual education allowance and a commitment to professional growth, helping you expand your skills and advance your career.

You'll thrive in a supportive, mission-driven culture where collaboration feels like family. As part of our multi-disciplinary team, your voice is heard, and your work is truly valued.

Join us and do your best work-because here, your contribution matters.

About PACE

Philanthropists Gary and Mary West founded West Health with the mission of enabling seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life, and independence. The Gary and Mary West PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), affiliated with West Health ( is a non-profit that delivers medical, social, and behavioral services to the frail elderly to the North County of San Diego. This PACE center is entrepreneurial in nature and focuses on innovations and bringing new processes to the traditional PACE environment.

We're looking for passionate healthcare providers who want to be part of a team dedicated to enable seniors to live in their communities as independently as possible by providing compassionate, comprehensive health and supportive care.

One Team One Mission

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Center Manager, the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Lead serves as a working lead within the day center and provides guidance, support, and oversight to Personal Care Attendants while maintaining direct participant care responsibilities. The PCA Lead promotes a participant-centered environment by ensuring quality care, adherence to policies and procedures, effective communication among interdisciplinary team members, and consistent implementation of daily center operations.

The PCA Lead acts as a resource for PCA staff, assists with training and onboarding, monitors workflow, and serves as a liaison between staff and leadership while fostering a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and participant dignity.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as the primary day-to-day resource and lead for PCA staff within the Day Center.
• Assist with assigning and coordinating PCA daily responsibilities and participant care needs.
• Monitor workflow to ensure participant needs are met timely and effectively.
• Provide guidance and coaching to PCA staff regarding participant care, customer service, safety practices, and workplace expectations.
• Assist with onboarding and training new PCA staff.
• Communicate staffing concerns, performance issues, and operational challenges to the Center Manager.
• Model professional behavior and maintain positive working relationships with all departments.
• Promote teamwork and collaboration among interdisciplinary team members.

Participant Care:

• Participate as an active member of the interdisciplinary team in ongoing participant assessment, monitoring, and care planning. Observe, document, and report personal care services provided, as well as participants' self-care abilities and any changes in condition.
• Provide direct personal care and hygiene assistance, including toileting, bathing/showering, oral care, grooming, dressing, and eating. Support participants in maintaining mobility through physical activity, exercise, and ambulation assistance.
• Deliver personal care services in a safe, respectful, and professional manner, consistent with PACE policies and procedures.
• Adheres to the PCA duties schedule while remaining flexible to accommodate changes related to staffing needs.
• Ensure participant safety by identifying potential hazards, recognizing emergency situations, and initiating appropriate corrective actions within scope of role.
• Provide behavioral support and supervision as needed, including reality orientation, reinforcement of care plans (e.g., medication and dietary compliance), and emotional reassurance.
• Assist with daily engagement activities, including conversation, recreational programming, meal and snack service, and maintaining a welcoming, comfortable environment for participants.
• Observe and report any signs or symptoms of physical, emotional, or behavioral changes, including but not limited to changes in skin integrity, bowel and bladder function, nutritional intake, or mobility status, and communicate findings promptly to appropriate staff.
• Adhere to all infection control protocols, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and comply with standards related to bloodborne pathogens, hazardous materials, and fire safety.
• Escort participants to medical, dental, optometry, rehabilitation, and other appointments as assigned.
• Perform routine cleaning and sanitation of participant care areas, including activity spaces, dining areas, restrooms, and equipment, to ensure a clean, safe, and comfortable environment.
• Follow established cleaning protocols, infection control standards, and safety guidelines when handling cleaning agents and equipment.
• Monitor supply levels for cleaning and personal care items and report needs to appropriate staff.
• Serve as backup support to the custodial team as needed, assisting with deeper cleaning tasks, spill response, waste removal, and general facility upkeep to maintain regulatory and organizational cleanliness standards.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, training, in-services, and committees and/or projects as assigned.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation of care provided, changes in participant needs, and participant preferences in accordance with organizational requirements.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all participant information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
• Adhere to and support the center's policies, practices, and procedures.
• Provide support for other departments or team members as needed to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
• Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner; and perform all other related duties as assigned.
• May require use of personal vehicle.

Education and Certification:

• Must possess, as a minimum, a GED or high school diploma.
• CNA Certification preferred.
• CPR/BLS certification required.
• Original valid driver license with proof of auto insurance.
• Clean driving record.

Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques involved in relating to frail elderly persons.
• Prior experience in a PACE program, adult day health center, long term care facility, or similar healthcare setting
• Previous leadership, mentoring, preceptor, or charge aide experience preferred.
• Skill in communicating with participants, their families, and other staff members; ability to establish a helping, trusting relationship with participants and staff.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of older adults through a compassionate approach, patience in care delivery, and responsiveness to participant requests.
• Carries out directions provided by supervisors, RN, QAPI, PCP, and/or medical director with accuracy and consistency.
• Applies appropriate safety measures at all times while providing care.
• Interacts with the public and governmental agencies in a pleasant, patient, and professional manner.
• Works effectively and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team, including elderly participants, service providers, and peers.
• Maintains flexibility to changing schedules and job responsibilities.
• Maintains strong organizational skills; demonstrates dependability, flexibility, and resourcefulness.

 

Medical Clearance:

Employees must have medical clearance for communicable diseases and up-to-date immunizations before having direct participant contact.

Job offers are contingent upon a successful pre-employment drug screen, background check, and physical assessment.

Gary and Mary West PACE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, pregnancy, military and veteran status, age, physical and mental disability, genetic characteristics, gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation or any other considerations made unlawful by applicable state or local laws.