Casual Care Partner in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan at Samaritan Place Corp

TITLE: Care Partner (CP)

REPORTS TO: LPN

DATE OF DESCRIPTION: October 2019

FUNCTION: Primary function – directly serving residents

Samaritan Place is a Catholic health care facility committed to providing a home to 100 individuals who require Level 3 and Level 4 long term care services and 20 individuals who are companions of some of the residents. We advance the healing and caring ministry of Jesus Christ by responding to needs of the spirit, mind, body and culture of those who live at Samaritan Place. At Samaritan Place care is compassionate, resident-directed, safe and respectful.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Care Partner provides each resident with daily care in accordance with the residents’ assessment, choices and care plan. Each Care Partner is assigned to a primary residence of 12-14 residents, working within a multidisciplinary team where the resident directs the daily schedule.

The Care Partner provides physical care to the residents to meet their daily needs and enable them to function at the highest possible level. While this care is provided under the leadership of a professional nurse, the Care Partner is the residents’ closest advocate in the household. The Care Partner promotes the residents' psychosocial well-being through meaningful relationship building, and works with the household team to meet other social service needs of the resident and of the household, always providing support, friendship and kindness for each of the household members.

All Household Staff are members of a self-directed, cross-trained work team assigned to a household. Their purpose is to plan and coordinate resident care creating a home and strengthening community to establish a sense of belonging, usefulness and purpose in daily life.

All direct care staff are trained in housekeeping, laundry, social and activities services that directly affect the resident’s environment. Within our Home environment, there is the possibility to have animals that also need care. Specific training will be provided should this become necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification from a SK Health approved care aide/assistant course or equivalent
• Valid TLR certification
• Gentle Persuasive Approach training
• Clear criminal record/vulnerable sector search
• English language proficiency-ability to understand and be understood by residents
• Demonstrated adherence to the mission/vision/values of Samaritan Place

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

Resident directed/person centered care function

• Provide care according to each individual resident’s care plan and wishes
• Demonstrate flexibility to readily readjust priorities according to resident’s needs
• Ensure resident’s needs are met in a timely manner, e.g. call lights, personal requests, etc.
• Respect the residents’ privacy and personal space with all interactions
• Demonstrate to all staff, residents and family that the organization is committed to the creation of the pleasures and daily life expected of home
• Encourage pleasurable moments, laughter and fun in the households

Personal Care Function

• Dressing, grooming, and bathing
  1. Assist residents to bath and dress and perform personal care and rehabilitative/restorative care as needed
  2. Assist with end of life care and post mortem care
  3. Note changes in resident’s condition and report to LPN
  4. Make beds, changes linens, set rooms in order and places call light within reach
  5. Respond and report promptly all accidents/incidents
  6. Identify and share care related problems or concerns with the LPN
  7. Ensure resident’s needs are met in a timely manner, e.g. call lights, personal requests
  8. Respect the residents’ privacy and personal space with all interactions

• Elimination
  1. Assist residents to and from the bathroom
  2. Assist resident with continence care as needed

• Vital signs
  1. Assist resident to monitor their weight at least monthly
  2. Record weights

Leadership Function

• Demonstrate the mission/vision/values of Samaritan Place with all interactions
• May lead learning circles and daily staff huddles
• Positively promote Samaritan Place and its mission within the community
• Actively participate in learning circles during work time
• May act as household leader to ensure smooth daily functioning of the house

Food Service Function

• Participate in preparation of food and food handling techniques to ensure quality, maintaining sanitation and safety procedures
• Ask residents their food preferences, choice, and honor as such
• Prepare and set up food for residents as needed. Assists with identifying food arrangement (i.e. informing resident with sight problems of foods that are on his/her plate, where located, if hot or cold, etc.)
• Assist resident to eat as needed
• Serve between meal and bedtime snacks
• Keep resident’s water glass clean, filled with fresh water at bedside and within easy reach and encourages fluids with each interaction
• Record resident’s food/fluid intake as directed
• Reports changes in resident eating habits to the LPN
• Maintain food storage areas in a clean, property arranged manner

Housekeeping Function

• Whenever needed, perform day-to-day housekeeping functions in resident rooms and common areas
• Help to clean resident rooms when transfer or discharges occur
• Ensure that equipment, supplies, etc. are stocked and neatly stored at all times when not used
• Use and maintain equipment and supplies appropriately

Laundry Function

• Launder all linens/personal items
• Ensure that the appropriate repairs are made to maintain resident clothing to be free from rips, tears and missing buttons
• Maintain soiled/clean laundry areas
• Ensure that new clothing is marked according to P&P
• Assist resident to launder all personal items

Activities Function

• Build a strong relationship with residents to identify their interests, choices and needs
• Plan, observe and participate in the household/facility activity calendar
• Provide assistance to access activities and programs in/outside of the facility
• Provide 1:1 interaction with residents based upon their preferences
• Encourage residents to achieve highest level of practical functioning based upon their interests and abilities
• Perform a variety of miscellaneous tasks as requested such as shopping, running errands, assisting with correspondence, reading to the resident and distributing mail
• Lead small and large group activities based on resident choices

Care Planning and Documentation Functions

• Attend care conferences as requested
• Complete assigned documentation daily
• Participate in RAI/MDS assessments
• Share written and oral information only with persons who need to know
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Report to supervisor any abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property
• Share pertinent information in daily huddles and with oncoming shifts
• Clarify with LPN any questions related to resident care plans

Personnel Functions

• Assist with orientation of new staff
• Provide input for performance evaluations as requested
• Plan time off from work in advance, ensuring that essential responsibilities can be covered
• Accept responsibility for care for assigned residents, documenting resident’s care information per policy
• Report to work according to schedule
• Work within scheduled hours
• Adjust meal /break times around resident schedule
• Use the telephone in a professional manner
• Do not use cellular phone during work
• Follow Samaritan place dress code/personal hygiene policy

Performance Improvement Functions

• Seek resident/family evaluation of care
• Participate in facility surveys
• Serve on councils, committees, teams as requested
• Participate in household audits/rounds. Recognize strengths and areas for improvement
• Share concerns/information with household staff demonstrating a willingness to help solve any problem
• Actively participates in the 360-degree performance review process

Education/Personal Functions

• Demonstrate a willingness to learn
• Demonstrate commitment to growth of residents, families, staff and others
• Meet education requirements to maintain certification and licensure
• Share knowledge and skills through participation in in-services, orientation of new staff and day-to-day interactions with staff

Workplace safety

• Follow the safe work practices and procedures developed as per the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations
• Comply with all WHMIS requirements
• Comply with all Infection prevention standards
• Understand emergency plans and responds appropriately
• Protect co-workers from injury, notify supervisor immediately of unsafe situations or equipment
• Follow TLR procedures
• Report any known or suspected harassment to supervisor or other leadership team member

SECONDARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

HOURS OF WORK

• Up to 8-hour shifts rotated between days, eves and/or nights
• Regular assignment to a residence with 12-14 residents.

MENTAL DEMANDS

Is able to work with frequent interruptions, be able to distinguish priorities in resident care and follow through with them. Must be able to handle difficult and emotionally upsetting circumstances which involve the resident and/or family members. Takes initiative to advocate for residents. Resolves conflict effectively.