Care Assistant

Brookdale Senior Living Inc.•Sun City West, AZ

About The Position

The Care Assistant provides direct care to residents according to individual service plans, treating each resident with respect and dignity, recognizing individual needs, and encouraging independence. The role helps create a homelike atmosphere and includes assisting with daily living activities, meals, leisure activities, recordkeeping, and maintaining residents’ safety and living spaces. Medication assistance may be performed only where permitted by state regulations and when the associate meets applicable requirements. The associate follows established instructions and procedures, uses good judgment in emergencies, and seeks assistance or reports concerns to a supervisor. The position may involve occasional travel, on-call work as needed, and occasional weekend, evening, or night work to ensure shift coverage.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED; three to six months of related experience and/or training in direct service with older adults is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Follow applicable state regulations for qualifications to assist with medications and direct care duties.
May need current state certification in accordance with state law and must follow regulations to maintain certification.
Before obtaining caregiver certification, provide care under the direction of a Certified Resident Care Associate, Lead Resident Care Associate, Resident Care Coordinator, or Health & Wellness Director.
Before obtaining caregiver certification, do not administer or participate in medication assistance or documentation, and do not assist or supervise residents who self-administer medication.
County Food Handlers Card, First Aid Certification, and CPR Certification are required.
Ability to follow written or verbal instructions and perform basic, repetitive, well-defined duties.
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos, and write simple correspondence.
Ability to communicate effectively in English with residents, family members, and company associates.
Ability to use common sense in carrying out written or oral instructions, exercise good judgment in emergencies, and seek assistance when needed.
Ability to perform the listed physical activities and lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to interact with co-workers, residents, and vendors.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, is helpful.
Three to six months of related experience and/or training in direct service with older adults is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist residents with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, and getting to and from activities and meals according to individual service plans, encouraging residents to do as much as possible independently.
Serve meals and, when needed, assist with preparing meals using preplanned menus; encourage proper nutrition and fluid intake while respecting residents’ choices; report changes in eating habits to a supervisor.
Initiate and participate in leisure activities, and encourage residents to socialize, join planned programs, and develop friendships.
Maintain residents’ records daily and in a timely manner, including applicable medication documentation, activities, incidents, observations, visitors, and changes in physical condition or behavior; promptly report changes to a supervisor.
When permitted by state regulations and applicable requirements, assist with medications according to physician orders, state laws, and company medication policies and procedures.
Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly environment, including general housekeeping and resident laundry, bedrooms, dining areas, living spaces, bathrooms, and kitchen areas.
Follow emergency procedures and respond promptly and positively to resident requests for assistance, including emergency pull cords, telephone calls, and requests from family and friends.
Know each resident’s location, remind residents to sign out when leaving the building, and immediately notify a supervisor if a resident cannot be located.
Encourage teamwork through cooperative interactions with co-workers.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible part-time and full-time associates.
401(k) for eligible part-time and full-time associates; temporary associates may participate in the company’s 401(k) program.
Associate assistance program.
Employee discounts.
Referral program.
Early access to earned wages for hourly associates outside California.
Optional voluntary benefits, including ID theft protection and pet insurance.
Paid time off for eligible full-time associates.
Paid holidays for eligible full-time associates.
Company-provided life insurance for eligible full-time associates.
Adoption benefit for eligible full-time associates.
Short- and long-term disability for eligible full-time associates.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible full-time associates.
Health Savings Account for eligible full-time associates.
Optional life and dependent life insurance for eligible full-time associates.
Optional voluntary benefits for eligible full-time associates, including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, and a legal plan.
Tuition reimbursement for eligible full-time associates.
For qualified associates with at least one year of service, Brookdale offers to advance naturalization application fees, up to $725 less applicable taxes and withholding.
Professional development and ongoing programs supporting associate health and wellness.
Training program and opportunities to grow and learn.