DIRECT CARE STAFF

Direct Care Staff Position

The Direct Care Staff serves as an assistant to the RN or LPN by performing regular assignments and responsibilities as assigned under the direction of the nurse. This team member is responsible for providing care in compliance with company policies and within the Direct Care staff scope of practice.

For staffing purposes, Direct Care Staff include Certified Medical Assistants, Certified Nursing Assistants, Nursing Assistants, EMT's, Patient Care Technicians and individuals with experience in caring for children with medical needs.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for a variety of ADL tasks including but not limited to hygiene, bathing, diapering, toileting, dressing, grooming, feeding, transferring, repositioning and ambulation.
• Adheres to the posted classroom schedule.
• Assists the nursing care team in the delivery of routine childcare activities in a medical model childcare setting.
• Reports to Registered Nurse any change in child's condition, social/ family concerns, complaints, accidents, or incident.
• Provide positive reinforcement to children and recommend measures to control behavior in accordance with the center's standards.
• Assist in preparing food for children, serve meals and snacks to children and assists with feedings as directed by RN.
• Hold, rock, and comfort children as needed.
• Hold and bottle feed infants as ordered by Plan of Care.
• Assists with transferring and lifting of children.
• Read to children/individuals, and teach them simple painting, drawing, crafts, and songs.
• Help children/individuals to other areas of the facility, secure in equipment, such as chairs, prone standers, AFO's, etc.; uses therapy equipment as directed by physical, occupational or speech therapists.
• Incorporates developmental therapy goals into daily child-based activities.
• Monitor children/individuals and call for assistance as needed.
• Observe and monitor children/individual's play activities.
• Clean room, linens, cribs, cots, equipment, or other materials as needed and required.
• Organize and store toys and materials to ensure order in activity areas. Disinfect toys and equipment according to Infection Control Program policy.
• Support children/individual's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
• Identify any signs of emotional or developmental problems in children/individuals and bring them to the attention of the nurse or Administrator in charge.
• Never leave a child/individual unattended
• Maintains confidentiality of the children and families.
• Participates in the loading and unloading of children from the bus.
• Participates in monthly Fire/Evacuation/Disaster Drills.
• Attends staff/communication meetings.
• Adheres to established dress code policy.
• Adheres to time and attendance policy.
• Completes all Mandatory Educational Requirements upon hire, monthly and annually.
• Reports to Registered Nurse any safety concerns noted throughout the Center or the transportation vehicle.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Registered Nurse within scope of practice.
• Must maintain required and assigned continuing education.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Skills and Experience Requirements

• MUST have 1 year documented employment experience in the care of infants or children; or 1 year of experience in caring for a medically fragile child
• Demonstrate the necessary skills and competency to meet the direct care needs of the children
• Currently registered with the Certified Nurse Aide Registry or Direct Worker Registry
• Current AHA BLS CPR Certification