Care Partner I

SISTERS OF THE HOLY CROSS INC•Notre Dame, IN

105d•$16 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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. Reporting to the Nurse Coordinator/Nurse Supervisor on that unit.

Requirements

A High School diploma/GED required
Must have a current CNA license.
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.
Demonstrates effective listening skills. Listens to feelings, not just the words; maintains eye contact; attends to body language, voice and pitch, facial expressions.
Demonstrates skills in navigating and de-escalating conflict.
Speaks calmly and gently; does not confront, contradict or correct; listens and responds to the feelings.; distracts appropriately; knows when to ask for assistance.
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.
Shares concerns, insights, new behaviors, problems, changes or any other items of concern or importance to the appropriate team members immediately as they arise.
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.
Communicates with Sisters, colleagues, Superiors, supervisors, volunteers and guests in a friendly, respectful, and professional manner.
Accepts direction openly and is accountable to enact that direction (from Nurse Coordinator and Nursing teammates).
Maintains confidentiality and supports the Sisters’ dignity.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
Willingly accepts and fulfills responsibilities as a team lead as assigned.
Spends time interacting in conversation, activities, walking, and participating in relationship building with each sister.
Responds to call lights in a timely manner.
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.
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.
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.
Maintains accurate health records (weights, temperatures, blood pressures, pulse, and respirations, as required). Tests blood sugars as assigned.
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.
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.
Serves and assists the Sisters at mealtimes. Ensures menus are based on dietitian direction requests of Sisters. Notes and documents changes in appetite and/or ability to eat.
Assures Sisters have adequate fluids. Serves fluids mid-morning, mid-afternoon and at bedtime or as requested.
Assists with taking inventory of, storing and ordering food supplies and maintaining par levels.
Helps to prepare and serve appropriate snacks.
Assists Sisters who are unable to eat without support as appropriate. Feeding assistance training required.
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).
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.
Disposes of soiled linen and paper products promptly according to established procedure.
Keeps equipment (walkers, canes, commodes, wheelchairs, electric carts) clean and reports damaged equipment that is not in working order.
Is knowledgeable and follows emergency plans (fire, weather, power outages, etc.).
Follows Universal Precautions and infection control methods.
When there is down time care partners are responsible for completing other tasks (cleaning, organizing, spending 1:1 time with a sister, engaging)
Complies with work rules, regulations, and instructions, follows established systems and procedures, completes assignments with minimal supervision.
Participates regularly in all required PDL training and in-service training.
Follows float process when needed or as assigned.
Answers the telephone courteously; gives thorough messages promptly.
Maintains attendance and observes working hours, starting time, lunch period, breaks, quitting time, etc.
Reports abuse or suspected abuse.
Attends all Mandatory In-Services.
Attend all Care partner meetings. Except for 1 per year.
Other duties as assigned.