Resident Aide

The following are skills needed to perform the essential functions of the position of AL Resident Aide. The ability to:

• Recognize and respond to the needs of residents.
• Make prompt and accurate judgments with regard to resident care.
• Evaluate sensory limitations of residents, and adjust care-giving methods to maximize communication.
• Observe and assess at the Resident Aide level the physical, psychosocial and safety needs of residents.
• Communicate a sense of caring, concern and dignity for residents.
• Perform the essential functions of the job in a manner that benefits residents of the facility and complies with business necessity.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Resident Aides provide routine care in a manner conducive to the comfort and safety of residents in accordance with federal, state and local regulations, and are delegated the responsibility for carrying out the assigned duties by the Charge Nurse, Administrator or other assigned supervisory personnel to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

The following job functions have been determined to be essential to the position of Resident Aide. Because of fluctuations in workload demands, as well as tasks often overlapping, frequency ranges and percentages vary by assignment, day of week, day, evening or night shift, etc. However, low frequency and percentage or duration of time spent on a particular task may not indicate lack of importance. The Oaks reserves the right to modify this list of essential and other functions as deemed necessary. .

• Verify the identification of a resident to assure appropriate care is being provided to the correct patient.

• Recognize and respond to the needs of residents.

• Report changes in the resident's condition to the charge / staff nurse as soon as possible.

• Promote independence of resident's decisions.

• Report accidents and incidents when they occur.

• Assist with admitting, transferring and discharging residents.

• Routinely review work assignments and schedules to update or change task objectives.

Job Title: Resident Aide (continued)

• Perform assigned tasks in accordance with policies and procedures as instructed by supervisor.

• Notify supervisor of pending absence or tardiness within the time frame described in the personnel handbook.

• Report to supervisor all complaints and grievances made by residents, families, visiting individuals, agencies, etc.

• Communicate with co-workers at all levels to adequately meet the needs of residents.

• As appropriate, help create an atmosphere of optimism, warmth, and interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit.

• Meet with nursing personnel as scheduled to assist in identifying and correcting problems and / or the improvement of services.

• Attend and participate in orientation programs, on-going training and educational classes.

• Follow established safety precautions, observe, monitor and intervene or report unsafe conditions in the facility.

• Follow established smoking regulations and report violations.

• Wash hands before and after performing services for residents.

• 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. Immediately report any communicable or infectious disease that you contract.

• Follow established universal precautions and isolation procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

As an essential function of the job, Resident Aides are regularly called on to effectively report emergencies such as residents' condition changes, as well as accidents and incidents, complaints and grievances by residents and their families, etc. It is determined that Resident Aides have the ability to communicate with others and do not pose a direct threat to the safety or health of self or others.

OTHER

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

• Document observed data on notes, charts, etc. in an informative and descriptive manner.

• Introduce newly admitted or newly transferred residents to their roommate(s), if any, as well as to other residents and to co-workers as appropriate.
• Keep the supply room, work areas and equipment clean.
• Obtain assignments daily.

• Assist residents in preparing for activity and social programs.

• Serve meals in dining rooms.
• Deliver room service to residents and pick up dirty dishes when finished.
• Check medications of reorders and sign off on all medications given.
• Respond to emergency lights or phones off the hook.
• Answer phones in nursing office.
• Encourage and assist residents to participate in Activities.
• Report any rooms, hallways or common areas that may need repair.
• Report anything unusual about any resident.

Job Title: Resident Aide (continued)

• Check radios to ensure their working.
• Pass medications.
• Escort residents to and from beauty shop and to lobby for Doctor Appointments.
• Assist with showers and laundry.
• Check residents every 1-2 hours.

• Assist and direct visitors as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION REQUIRED

The preferred minimum educational background for Resident Aides is having completed high school or GED equivalency.


EXPERIENCE

Resident Aides will have one to six months experience working in a nursing home, hospital, home health agency, or other health care facility.


EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, MACHINES AND / OR TOOLS USED


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

• Scales
• Med Carts
• Shavers
• Shower chairs
• Soap and hygiene supplies
• Thermometers
• Walkers
• Wheelchairs
• Wrist watches
• Telephones
• Other miscellaneous devices and nursing supplies

PHYSICAL STRENGTH REQUIRED

A Resident Aide must be capable of lifting a minimum of forty pounds

The Oaks has determined that to perform the essential functions of the job of Resident Aide, that persons must be able to perform the essential physical tasks without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of him/her or others, including residents, co-workers and others.


ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Except where appropriate and conducive to accomplishing the goals and objectives of a particular task, the Resident Assistant will work in a well-lighted area that is ventilated and as physically, innocuous as possible under the conditions which exist at a particular time. Because the essential functions of the job of Resident Aide may cause exposure to situations associated with general involvement in a health care facility, including but not limited to exposure to AIDS, HIV and Hepatitis B viruses.


Job Title: Resident Aide (continued)

JOB ANALYSIS

Activity Frequency of Activity

Sitting Occasionally (0-3 hours)

Walking Constantly (6-8+ hours)

Standing Constantly (6-8+ hours)

Bending (Neck) Constantly (6-8+ hours)

Bending (Waist) Constantly (6-8+ hours)

Squatting Frequently (3-6 hours)

Climbing Occasionally (0-3 hours)

Kneeling Frequently (3-6 hours)

Crawling Occasionally (0-3 hours)

Twisting (neck) Frequently (3-6 hours)

Twisting (waist) Frequently (3-6 hours)

Hand Use: Is Repetitive use of hand required? Yes

Simple Grasping Dominant Constantly (6-8+ hours)

Simple Grasping Non-Dominant Frequently (3-6 hours)

Power Grasping (right hand) Frequently (3-6 hours)

Power Grasping (left hand) Frequently (3-6 hours)

Fine Manipulation (right hand) Occasionally (0-3 hours)

Fine Manipulation (left hand) Occasionally (0-3 hours)

Pushing & Pulling (right hand) Occasionally (0-3 hours)

Pushing & Pulling (left hand) Occasionally (0-3 hours)

Reaching (above shoulder level) Frequently (3-6 hours)

Reaching (below shoulder level) Frequently (3-6 hours)

Lifting Frequency Height

0-10 lbs. Constantly (6-8+ hours) 0-3 feet


11-25 lbs. Frequently (3-6 hours) 0-3 feet

26-50 lbs. Occasionally (0-3 hours) 0-3 feet

Carrying Frequency Distance

0-10 lbs. Constantly (6-8+ hours) 20 feet

11-25 lbs. Occasionally (0-3 hours) 20 feet

26-50 lbs. Occasionally (0-3 hours) 20 feet

Describe the heaviest item required to carry and the distance to be carried: A case of briefs or meal supplements, maximum distance carried is 0 - 20 feet.

This job requires the following:

• Working around equipment and machinery
• Walking on uneven ground with residents during outside activities
• Exposure to excessive noise such as resident complaints, TV, Radio noise