Community Care Advocate

Sisters of Mercy :Community Care Advocate

Licenses

Driver’s License

Job Type

Part time

Medical specialty

Geriatrics and home health

Shifts & Schedule

• Saturdays 8:30-12:30 & 12-4
• Sundays 8:30-12:30 & 12-4
• Mondays-Saturdays 5-8 PM

Two positions available

Conveniently located at exit 6 just off 590, Sisters of Mercy serves as the private residence for the Sisters of Mercy. This unique opportunity is an ElderONE Pace center fully staffed 24/7 to care for the health and wellness needs of the Sisters. The Community Care Advocate acts like a personal companion performing a variety of tasks throughout the shift for approximately 35 Sisters.

Full Job Description

TELECOMMUTE ELIGIBILITY:

This position is essential and does not have the option to telecommute.

JOB PURPOSE:

In the home of the Sisters of Mercy the Community Care Advocate (CC Advocate) possesses a positive attitude and a spirit of hospitality that embodies the charism of the Sisters of Mercy.

The CC Advocate utilizes a holistic approach to support and maintain quality of life and well-being for persons in times of health and illness within their home setting. The CC Advocate is responsible for sisters and residents receiving the services of the ElderONE program and provides support for those sisters experiencing a temporary period of illness and/or recuperation who are not enrolled in the ElderONE program. The CC Advocate works to ensure the services provided for sisters and residents are person-centered.

Sustained and inspired by their relationship with God and one another, the mission of the Sisters of Mercy is to respond with vision and compassion to the needs of people who are poor, sick, and uneducated. This mission serves as a motivational force in the day-to-day activities of the employees of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and as we extend compassion and mercy to others, practice and encourage social justice, and strive to live mercifully.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Fosters a loving, nurturing, and supportive home environment for all sisters and residents.

· Participates in the Train the Trainer program and utilizes the knowledge and tools gained through this program in the care of persons with dementia.

· Provides a calm, reassuring and sensitive atmosphere for those with beginning memory loss issues and those advancing through the dementia process.

· Assists the sisters and residents to activity programming, and provides activities designated in each person’s individual activity tracker in times when there is no programming taking place.

· Supports activity and religious programming in group and individualized settings based upon interests and support plan.

· Provides access to pastoral care services routinely and at the time of impending death.

· Serves as a personal advocate when someone is afraid or experiencing difficulty.

· Maintains the dignity, right to privacy and confidentiality of the sisters and residents at all times.

· Assists in extending hospitality to sisters to residents, their families, and guests.

· Ensures a “Community” presence for each individual sister as needed.

· Provides support for sisters who are hospitalized.

· Accompanies or ensures that all sisters with memory loss and/or anxiety are accompanied to all medical/dental/diagnostic testing appointments.

· Relates with, schedules, and supports CC Volunteers who assist with meeting the driving, shopping, and social needs of the sisters and residents.

· Facilitates communication with sister’s families, friends, and sisters in community and communicates on behalf of the sisters as needed.

· Sorts Community Care Department mail:

o Ensures business mail is forwarded to Community Care Wellness Manager.

o Delivers sisters’ and residents’ personal mail.

o Ensures correspondence assistance is provided for sisters with memory issues, and forwards mail to the family contacts of non-Sister of Mercy residents with memory issues.

· For those enrolled in ElderONE:

o Serves as the day-to-day representative with ElderONE.

o Contributes to the development of the individual’s care plan.

o Assures that medical and personal care needs are met through ElderONE.

o Notifies the Community Care Wellness Manager, or her designee, and the ElderONE CHN of any changes in a sister’s or resident’s condition (physical, emotional, or mental health).

o Assists sisters new to the ElderONE program in their adjustment to the program.

o Assists the sister with:

§ Clothing, personal items, arranging for hair care, caring for her room, and reporting any personal needs as appropriate.

§ Her dining room experience (verbal prompts and/or assistance with feeding, as needed).

§ Meals/snacks.

§ Keeping contact with friends and relatives.

§ Social needs and continued relationship to Community.

§ Getting outside to fresh air and sunshine.

· For those not enrolled in ElderONE (who are convalescing or pending ElderONE enrollment):

o Assists with the activities of daily living the sister is unable to do for herself including but not limited to changing linens, laundry, disposal of trash and maintaining the cleanliness of the sister’s personal living environment.

o Transports sisters within Mercy Center and/or on the grounds as needed.

o Replenishes supplies in sister’s room as needed.

o Notifies the Community Care Wellness Manager or her designee of any changes in a sister’s condition (physical, emotional, or mental health).

o Prepares sister for appointments and outings as indicated.

o Responds to the needs and requests of the sisters in a timely manner prioritizing according to the urgency of each need and request.

o Demonstrates familiarity with equipment necessary for performing his/her duties.

· Follows Universal Precautions.

· Participates in continuing education opportunities, in-services, and staff meetings.

· Performs other job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Competencies and Experience

To perform the job successfully, an individual should have the following education, competencies, and experience:

· Knowledge of and at least 2 years' experience of gerontology/working in a long-term care setting or equivalent in related field.

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

· Ability to follow the directions of the Community Care Episodic Case Manager and Home Health Agency Personnel.

· Ability to establish and rearrange priorities.

· Ability to approach people in a manner which creates harmony and promotes cooperation and teamwork.

· Ability to receive verbal instructions, converse with sisters, residents, co-workers, and visitors.

· Ability to respond to audible emergency signals, alarms, call lights and answer a caller on the phone.

· Ability to work through crisis situations.

· Ability to cope with mental and emotional stress.

· Ability to communicate with individuals with dementia.

· Creativity and flexibility.

· Must be willing to work some evenings or nights and weekends.

· Must be able to maintain confidentiality.

· Valid Driver's License and ability to transport residents if needed.

Preferred Qualifications

· Interpersonal leadership and organizational skills.

· Willingness to consider the advice and opinions of others.

· Ability to make decisions and accept responsibility for the consequences.

· Ability to train and motivate others.

· Ability and willingness to act as a role model in conduct and appearance.

· Willingness to understand and appreciate the traditions and culture associated with the Sisters of Mercy and the Catholic Church.

· Prior experience in a healthcare or religious organization strongly preferred.

· Familiarity with the Catholic Church structures and teaching.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Activity

· Carrying · Writing · Bending · Stooping · Grasping

· Standing · Twisting · Sitting · Lifting · Walking

· Kneeling · Reaching overhead · Crouching · Filing documents

· Communicating with Sisters and co-workers · Using telephone and fax machines

Physical Requirements

· Lifting/pulling/pushing up to 25 pounds

· Must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time

Visual/Audible Acuity Requirements

· Must be able to see and hear clearly

· Must have depth perception and be able to distinguish basic colors

· Must have use of side vision

· Must be able to read and distinguish small print.

· Must be able to speak clearly and make self-understood while also understanding others using the English language

Key Competencies:

• Attention to detail
• Problem solving
• Judgment
• Service orientation

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

I have reviewed and understand the essential functions of this job description in a safe manner and in accordance with established procedures. I further acknowledge that this job description is a general description of the duties of this position and my supervisor may require changes in responsibilities from time to time. I understand that my employment is at-will, and thereby understand that my employment may be terminated at-will either by the facility or myself, and that such termination can be made with or without notice.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 4 – 12 per week

Patient demographics:

• Older adults

Ability to Relocate:

• Rochester, NY 14610: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person