Lead Resident Assistant

Job Objective(s)
The Lead Resident Assistant (LRA) is responsible for providing the highest degree of quality care and services to a consistent group of residents and their families in our assisted living and reminiscence neighborhoods including leading the assigned tasks of Resident Assistants. This Universal LRA role includes providing hands on care, physical and emotional support as outlined in each resident's Individualized Service Plan (ISP) while maintaining a safe, comfortable home like environment. The LRA is responsible for demonstrating the company mission and values, in accordance with federal, state and local standards and regulations and Gentle Touch Health Initiatives policies to promote the highest degree of quality care and services to our residents.

Essential Responsibilities

Lead Resident Assistant
* Provides the highest degree of quality care and services to a consistent group of residents and their families in our assisted living and reminiscence neighborhoods in support of the Universal LRA role including leading the assigned tasks of Resident Assistant
* Reviews staff schedules, ensures appropriate staffing coverage and contacts alternative employees as needed to fill staffing vacancy using variable staffing model * Monitors attendance & daily break schedule
* Leads daily meetings, encourages active participation and teamwork within the changing shifts
* Obtains monthly resident weight / vital signs
* Receives delivered medications and faxes of new orders to the pharmacy

Resident Care
* Reviews, reads, notates and initializes Daily Log to document and learn about pertinent about residents
* Participates in the development of resident Individualized Service Plans (ISP) and monthly updates
* In the absence of the ACC or RCC, works on daily assignments sheets
* Greets guests, family members, residents and employees
* Communicates with family & residents with empathy as needed
* Responsible for their designated group of residents
* Ensures the established safety regulations are followed at all times
* Notifies supervisor if a resident has increased care needs
* Checks residents for changes in skin condition such as skin, behavior, alertness, weight, dietary and participation in activities
* Responds to security system & resident call bells promptly & immediately; takes appropriate action including resetting call bells
* Answers, directs and/or responds to phone calls in a timely, courteous and professional manner
* Assists with continence management & disposes of all continence products properly to ensure sanitation of resident suite and community restrooms using standard care precautions
* Helps residents maintain independence, promote dignity and physical safety of each resident adhering to the standards of Resident Rights
* Assists residents with activities of daily living (ADLs) and Invite, Encourage, Assist (IEA) residents to activities as indicated on ISP
* Engages residents in life skills & other life enrichment activities throughout the day in reminiscence
* Strives to understand & respond to each resident with empathy, always mindful of the resident's unique communication patterns, history, basic human needs
* Maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis as well as a calm environment
* Assists each resident with their ever changing needs due to cognitive and physical loss

Risk Management & Safety
* Partners with community team to ensure community is in compliance with OSHA requirements and promotion of Risk Management programs and policies; adherence to safety rules and regulations
* Practices safety procedures at all times including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), fire extinguishers, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) & Lockout/Tagout procedures
* Reports all accidents/incidents immediately
* Reports all unsafe and hazardous conditions/equipment immediately
* Ensures any cords, carts, equipment and other hazards are kept out of the way at all
times, not blocking exits and in compliance with fire codes
* Complies with all infection control techniques, placement of bio-hazard containers and removal techniques, procedures and policies
* Understands and practices the proper method of attending to and disposing of and the possibility of exposure to blood borne pathogens, bodily fluids, infectious waste, sharp sticks and hazardous materials
* Reports occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, sharp sticks & hazardous chemicals immediately
* Ensures oxygen tanks are stored safely, exchanges guest/residents tanks when empty and monitors to make sure liters of oxygen are at prescribed levels
* Practices routinely good Standard Care Precautions of cleanliness, hygiene and health standards

Housekeeping & Laundry Services
* Maintains and cleans resident's room as assigned including making beds, emptying trash, putting clothes away appropriately, spot sweeping and mopping as needed
* Washes resident's laundry as noted in the ISP and as needed
* Washes and folds dining room linens and napkins
* Completes assigned housekeeping tasks
* Maintains common areas clean and tidy at all times

Dining Service
* Serves meals in the dining room and works in the dining room as assigned
* Promotes and ensures a pleasant dining experience during all meals
* Assists with dining room set up and clean up as assigned
* Participates in pre-meal meetings
* Follows residents diets as indicated on Individualized Service Plan (ISP), Confidential Diet Board/Chart
* Observes, notes, documents in Daily Log any residents changes in eating habits
* Responds to the dining needs of the residents and guests while maintaining hospitality and service standards
* Provides room service delivery as needed
* Safe food handling is practiced at all times to prevent an outbreak of food borne illness in compliance with universal care precautions

Specific Responsibilities for the Lead Resident Assistant
* The Lead Care Manager performs the duties listed within and supervises Resident Assistants in the duties listed below
* Invite, Encourage, Assist (IEA) residents to activities and in life skills and other life enriching activities as indicated on the ISP and demographic profile
* Integrates the individual resident's life skills into their daily routine
* Blends a variety of multi-sensory experiences into the resident's day

Training, and Contributing to Team Success
* Actively participates as a member of a team and committed to working toward team goals
* Committed to serving our residents and guests through our Principles of Service
* Contributes in the overall engagement programs and processes (customer and employee engagement) including participating in the employee engagement survey and engagement improvement planning workshops
* Provides input for performance reviews, coaching and improved performance of care managers
* Attends regular meetings; Town Hall, Department Team Meetings, Individualized Service Plan (ISP) Meetings, and others as directed by the Supervisor / RCC

Training
* Fulfills all required training within the required timeframe, including the completion of all online training and study application appropriate for the position.
* Completes all training required by the state or other regulating authorities including ongoing training per regulations
* Completion of training may be required and/or certificates available per regulations and laws as applicable:
o CPR Certificate and First Aid as required by state regulations

Qualifications
* To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactory. The requirements listed throughout this job description are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required
* High School diploma / GED accepted and may be required per state regulations
* In states where appropriate, must maintain certifications
* Must be at least 18 years of age
* Medication Management Certified preferred and as required per specific state requirements
* Previous experience working with seniors and desire to serve and care for seniors
* Demonstrates leadership competencies
* Ability to delegate assignments to the appropriate individuals based on their skills, roles and interests
* Ability to make choices, decisions and act in the resident's best interest
* Ability to react and remain calm in difficult situations
* Ability to handle multiple priorities
* Possess written and verbal skills for effective communication and a level of understanding
* Competent in organizational, time management skills
* Demonstrates good judgment, problem solving and decision making skills
* As applicable, all employees who drive a DOT Transportation Vehicle must sign the Driver job description and understand the key essential duties for safety and regulatory compliance

Physical Requirements (based on essential responsibilities)
Must be able to frequently perform tasks such as, but not limited to, those listed:

In an 8 hour workday, employee may stand / walk:
Hours at one time: 3-5
Total hours / day: 4-7

Employee will lift/carry (Max.lbs.): Frequently: 40 lbs. Occasionally: 70 lbs. Height of lift: 3 - 4 feet Distance of carry: 30 yards

In an 8 hour workday, employee may sit:
Hours at one time: 1-2
Total hours / day: 1-2

In an 8 hour workday, employee may drive:
30 minutes, one to two times a week

Employee will use hands for repetitive: Simple grasping, pushing and pulling, manipulation

Employee will support / assist: (Maximum lbs.)
Frequently: 50 lbs.
Occasionally: 150 lbs.

Employee should be able to Squat: Frequently Bend: Frequently Kneel: Frequently Climb: Frequently Reach: Frequently, 3 feet

General Notes
* This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; additional details will be specified by the supervisor. The employee will also perform other reasonable business duties as assigned by the supervisor.
* Management reserves the right to change job responsibilities, duties and hours as needs prevail.

Gentle Touch Health Initiatives is an at-will employer. This job description is a guideline and does not constitute a written or implied employment contract. GTHI is an EO Employer/Vets/Disabled.