Care Partner I

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Care Partner I

Department: Resident Services Cost Center Number: 351

Reports To: Community Coordinator

FLSA Status: Non-exempt/Hourly

Effective Date: 2/25/19 Revised Date: 01/01/20, 12/28/2020, 1/1/22

Approval of Job Description:

By: ___________________________________________________ Date: ________________

Division Director, Resident Services

By: ___________________________________________________ Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­________________

Director, Human Resources

MISSION STATEMENT

As partners in ministry, we commit to further

the mission of the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

We strive for excellence in all we do

while using our resources wisely.

We are called to live and minister in right

relationships as we witness to gospel values

and build just and caring communities.

CORE VALUES

Respect:

Recognizes the dignity, value and uniqueness

of each person as created and loved by God.

Hospitality:

Welcomes strangers, guests and partners in

ministry with kindness and consideration.

Compassion:

Compels us to stand with and embrace others

in their suffering, that together we may

experience God’s liberating and healing presence.

Service:

Works with and for others by sharing our gifts and

talents to accomplish the mission.

The Vision of Person Directed Living

Person Directed Living (PDL) shapes and informs the ways we care for and serve the Sisters of the Holy Cross in their living communities and for one another as a team. Team members will create an environment that is life-giving, respectful, safe and clinically appropriate for Sisters honoring the Sisters’ dignity and personhood; respectful and collaborative with each other as teammates.

PDL is intentionally integrated into both clinical care that the Sisters receive as well as assisting their engagement in daily living and the life of their local community. Team members will develop relationships with the Sisters and among themselves so they may deeply know and support everyone in the community. Robust, respectful communication (verbal and non-verbal) is the PDL standard.

As their ability dictates, Sisters are encouraged and supported in making individual choices about their daily routines and communal life through creative and thoughtful engagement by team members. PDL demands a delicate balance between the Sisters’ abilities and the team’s mandate for safety and dignity, calling upon each team member to assist Sisters with innovative solutions, and bringing joy and hope to every member of the community, Sisters and team members alike.

Position Description:

Provides individualized care in one or more communities which are both home and a clinical setting by developing personal relationships with the Sisters, knowing and understanding their stories, their wants and their needs. Functions as a member of an interdisciplinary care team. Assists the nurse with areas of clinical care and household responsibilities by performing a wide range of tasks including meal selection assistance, personal care, laundry care, light housekeeping and supporting meaningful life and engagement. Accompanies Sisters to the emergency department or hospital for evaluation, acting as a support person for the Sister.

Qualities/Characteristics

1. Understands, embraces, and appreciates the concept of Person Directed Living in building personal relationships with the Sisters along with the other members of the interdisciplinary team.
2. Takes a creative and innovative approach to problem-solving. Is a continuous learner.
3. Expresses encouragement and optimism. Builds self-esteem in others.
4. Self-aware – knowledgeable of one’s values, personality, needs, habits, emotions,strengths and weaknesses. Open to feedback. Cares deeply about the people they serve, both Sisters and other team members. Is personally flexible and adaptable in responding and meeting the needs of the Sisters and working in service with other team members.
5. Treats others as partners, encouraging their input and trusting them to carry out their responsibilities.
6. Responds to needs when they are present, i.e, provides direct care to Sisters in answering call lights, transferring, listening, etc. to assist not only the Sisters, but fellow interdisciplinary team members.

Communication and Relationship Skills

1. Demonstrates understanding of the effects of the aging process (including cognitive, vision and hearing changes) when speaking with the Sisters. Removes distractions; lowers tone of voice; makes eye contact with the Sister; speaks slowly and calmly; uses gestures when appropriate.
2. Demonstrates effective listening skills. Listens to feelings, not just the words; maintains eye contact; attends to body language, voice and pitch, facial expressions.
3. Encourages social interactions between Sisters and between self and Sisters. Initiates conversation between self and Sisters and between Sisters; uses prompts such as photos and mementos to encourage conversation.
4. Demonstrates skills in navigating and de-escalating conflict.
5. Speaks calmly and gently; does not confront, contradict or correct; listens and responds to the feelings.; distracts appropriately; knows when to ask for assistance.
6. Identifies Sisters’ skills and abilities and assists them in participating in activities to their fullest potential. Assists Sisters in large and small group activities, initiates 1-1 activities with the Sisters.
7. Shares concerns, insights, new behaviors, problems, changes or any other items of concern or importance to the appropriate team members immediately as they arise.
8. Is on time and attends shifts changes. Verbally reports pertinent information at shift changes from Care Partner to Care Partner and Care Partner to nurse.
9. Communicates with Sisters, colleagues, Superiors, supervisors, volunteers and guests in a friendly, respectful, and professional manner.
10. Accepts direction openly and is accountable to enact that direction (from Community Coordinator, Nurse Coordinator and Nursing teammates).
11. Maintains confidentiality and supports the Sisters’ dignity.

Essential Functions:

Person Directed Living

1. Develops personal relationships with the Sisters, understanding that relationship and process may come before “task.” Provides individualized care to each Sister based on the Sister’s needs and abilities.
2. Assists the interdisciplinary team in the development of a personal plan with each Sister. Keeps the plan and the interdisciplinary team up to date daily through verbal communication and charting.
3. Shares observations, concerns, questions, etc. about a Sister’s spiritual, emotional, physical, and clinical needs with the appropriate team member. Works collaboratively with all interdisciplinary team members such as Nursing, PT and Nutrition.
4. Actively participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team, responsible for dining needs, personal care, light housekeeping, supply usage (food, incontinence essentials, etc.) essential to the Sisters’ care.
5. Willingly accepts and fulfills responsibilities as a team lead as assigned.

Personal Care

1. Responds to call lights in a timely manner.
2. Provides care to each Sister based on the Sister’s preferences, abilities, clinical needs and in accordance with standard practices of care and treatment plans.
3. Encourages and assists Sisters in performing personal routines such as toileting, oral care, bathing, combing hair and dressing. Pays attention to detail. Assures Sisters are neat and clean, dressed appropriately, hair combed, teeth brushed, glasses cleaned and on, hearing aids in and turned on, etc.
4. Accompanies Sisters to medical appointments as requested. Passes any appropriate written information from interdisciplinary team to the health care provider and relays written information from the health provider to the nurse working in that community.
5. Maintains accurate health records (weights, temperatures, blood pressures, pulse, and respirations, as required). Tests blood sugars as assigned.
6. Frequently and routinely changes the position of Sisters unable to move independently per clinical orders. Immediately reports reddened areas or breakdowns of skin to the Nurse.
7. Assists Sisters in safely ambulating and transferring, using appropriate equipment. Knows and follows proper techniques for lifting and transferring using proper body mechanics. Is alert to and follows all safety precautions.

Dining Services

1. Assists with taking inventory of, storing and ordering food supplies and maintaining par levels.
2. Helps to prepare and serve appropriate snacks.
3. Assists Sisters who are unable to eat without support as appropriate. Feeding assistance training required.

Environment

1. Maintains a clean and orderly environment in the Sisters’ living space (including but not limited to their bedrooms, community rooms, dining areas and kitchenettes, makes beds as needed).
2. Keeps community neat and orderly. Picks up and empties trash, stocks bathroom, cleans shower after use, keeps linen closets, supply closets and laundry room clean and orderly. Laundering Sisters’ personal clothing.
3. Disposes of soiled linen and paper products promptly according to established procedure.
4. Keeps equipment (walkers, canes, commodes, wheelchairs, electric carts) clean and reports damaged equipment that is not in working order.
5. Is knowledgeable and follows emergency plans (fire, weather, power outages, etc.).
6. Follows Universal Precautions and infection control methods.

Other

1. Complies with work rules, regulations, and instructions, follows established systems and procedures, completes assignments with minimal supervision.
2. Participates regularly in all required PDL training and in-service training.
3. Follows float process when needed or as assigned.
4. Answers the telephone courteously; gives thorough messages promptly.
5. Maintains attendance and observes working hours, starting time, lunch period, breaks, quitting time, etc.
6. Reports abuse or suspected abuse.
7. Complies with CSC policies if driving a company vehicle.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

A High School diploma/GED required; CNA preferred.

Experience

One (1) year of previous experience in working with older adults in a home setting or skilled nursing facility is preferred.

Working Environment

This job operates in a residential/clinical setting. This role requires regular walking to various locations around the convents. This role also routinely comes into contact with sisters who may have contagious illnesses.

Equipment Utilization

Work requires the ability to operate certain specialized equipment, such as the EZ lift and oxygen equipment.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to speak clearly and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling,

crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, stooping, and grasping all day. The

employee must frequently lift and/or move items over 20 pounds and occasionally exert

up to 50 pounds.

Hazards and Fatigue

Exposure to hazards and fatigue are present intermittently. Will be exposed to bodily fluids and wastes on a routine basis.

Other Acknowledgements:

Sisters of the Holy Cross, Inc., is an equal opportunity employer. In order to protect the right to equal employment opportunity,this organization does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, age, sex, national origin, creed, or qualified individuals with disabilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major responsibilities and duties performed on the job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all of the job-related duties, responsibilities, or activities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.