Personal Care Aide

Personal Care Aide

Under the guidance of the Program Supervisor, this position provides daily supervision and care to Adult Wellness Center (AWC) participants, within a group setting, and in accordance with Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA) Community Care Program, Adult Day Services requirements.

The Personal Care Aide participates in the planning and facilitation of daily therapeutic and recreational activities within the AWC program. The Personal Care Aide assists individual participants with activities of daily living and personal care needs, serves meals and snacks, and helps to maintain a clean, orderly and uplifting environment. The position also provides transportation assistance on agency vehicles, as assigned. This position also requires a working lunch in order to assist participants during lunchtime.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Include the following, other duties as assigned:

Participant Service Delivery

Greets, welcomes, and assists participants, visitors, and/or caregivers arriving at the AWC.

Assists participants in arriving and leaving the AWC, including removal of coats, assisting with walkers and wheelchairs. Provides direct care, support and supervision of AWC participants; assists participants with activities of daily living and personal care as needed, including but not limited to, arrival and departure, assistance with feeding/eating, ambulation, transferring, hand washing, moving from and/or to their wheelchairs and moving from and/or to other locations within the Center. When needed, and in the absence of CNAs, may provide toileting assistance to participants.

Leads, executes and directs a wide variety of daily educational, recreational, therapeutic, nutritional and social activities to meet the needs of the participants, under the direction of the Program Supervisor. Actively engages and assists participants in games, crafts, music and other program activities throughout the day and encourages interaction among AWC participants. Ensures the safety of participants by continually monitoring the AWC environment and assisting in maintaining sanitary, clutter-free program areas. Reports any/all hazardous conditions and risk issues immediately.

Provides pre-meal assistance (e.g. escorting participants to restrooms, assistance with hand-washing, assistance with seating of participants, etc.) Assists in the organization, preparation and distribution of meals and snacks. Also provides assistance with feeding as needed, and with cleanup of dining areas after meals/snacks. Provides post-meal assistance (e.g. cleaning of participants' hands, face and clothing; escorting participants to the restroom, etc.).

Ensures the safety of participants, by monitoring participants' whereabouts at all times. Actively supervises and engages with participants during less structured times of the program day such as during arrival, meal times and departure. Assists in the evaluation and documentation of progress and special needs of each participant, as requested. Monitors participants' wellbeing and informs the Program Supervisor of any changes or concerns related to their emotional, social, cognitive or physical functioning.

Escorts and assists participants on agency vehicles, during transportation to and from the agency, including but not limited to providing assistance with onboarding and disembarking from agency vehicles, assisting with securing seat belts and assistive devices, and escorting participants to and from their residence entrances. Provides supervision and care to participants during field trips or other activities in the community, closely monitoring participants at all times to ensure their safety.

Program Support

Assists in the planning of creative and diverse therapeutic and recreational activities, under the direction of the Program Supervisor. Assists in setting up rooms for daily programming.

Maintains neatness and order in assigned AWC rooms/areas; cleans up after activities, returning items to the proper locations (e.g. appropriate supplies closet). Ensures that program areas, supplies, and equipment are clean, appropriately stocked, replenished and in good working order. Communicates needs to the Program Assistant or Program Supervisor in a timely manner.

Completes attendance reports, meal reports, participant activity reports and other documentation, as requested. Assists the Program Supervisor with special events and projects, as needed/requested.

May be required to perform other duties, as assigned by Program Supervisor.

Performance & Quality Management

Is actively involved and knowledgeable of the agency's Performance Quality Improvement process and supports all PQI activities. Incorporates the agency mission, philosophy, and core values into daily work and decision-making. Adheres to agency policies and procedures.

Adheres to the agency's Universal Precaution and Exposure Control Plan policy, including handwashing before and after performing any service to participants.

Adheres to the agency's Mandated Reporting policy and reports any concerns regarding older adult abuse or neglect. Promptly reports situations that pose a threat to staff, participants or agency, according to the agency's Incident / Accident Reporting procedures and IDOA Critical Event Reporting procedures.

Actively participates in all staff meetings, monthly in-service training and regular individual supervision with Program supervisor. Engages in ongoing professional development training, as needed, to enhance professional knowledge and skills. Nurtures positive and collaborative working relationships with other agency staff as well as outside providers. Cultivates a professional and respectful work environment. Submits personal time sheets and is accountable for daily activities within the allowable activities approved by the agency

General Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years of age. Sensitivity to cultural diversity is required. Will be subject to drug and alcohol screening, as well as aptitude and skills' testing. To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Must possess a High School diploma or general education diploma (GED) or two (2) years of prior, documented experience working in programs with older adults or demonstrated continued progress towards meeting the educational requirements of GED. CNA certification preferred. Prior work experience with older adult populations is strongly preferred.

Must be willing to complete 24 hours of initial pre-service training and 12 hours of ongoing in-service training annually thereafter, provided by the agency. Must be willing to complete transportation training, provided by the agency.

Certification/Licensure:

May be required to obtain Food Handler Certification. CPR certification required. The agency will provide training for certification, as needed.

Language Skills :

Bilingual in Spanish and English is required.

Computer Literacy & Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Some basic computer skills preferred.

Mathematical Skills:

Minimum High School or GED level math skills required; at minimum, must possess the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

Operating Environment and Working Relationships:

Ability to work independently and collaboratively, as indicated. The Personal Care Aide interacts regularly with AWC colleagues, participants, supervisors, participants' families and other staff throughout the agency. Must develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with others.

Must demonstrate tact, professional composure and diplomacy when interacting with others. Must work collaboratively with diverse populations. Must demonstrate patience and a positive, supportive demeanor when engaging with AWC participants, including those who may have cognitive limitations or agitated behavior.

Decision Making Authority:

Under the guidance of the Program Supervisor, must demonstrate the ability to work independently in executing tasks, utilizing good judgment and sound decision-making; must demonstrate discernment regarding issues or situations, which warrant supervisory attention.

People Management:

This position does not supervise to others.

Other Skills or Abilities:

This position requires a working lunch in order to assist participants during lunchtime.

Able to work a flexible schedule.

Must possess excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to interact collaboratively with others.

Must demonstrate effective and respectful communication skills.

Remote Work/Technology (WIFI)/Mobile Phone Usage:

Not eligible for remote work. A personal mobile phone is not required and therefore not eligible for mobile phone reimbursement.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands. Must be able to lift and carry 25lbs.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.