Elder Assistant (PT Evenings)

Catholic Charities of Baltimore•Baltimore, MD

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Catholic Charities of Baltimore’s Caritas House is seeking an Elder Assistant to support residents who need around-the-clock care because of physical or social impairments. The role assists residents with activities of daily living and medication management while promoting their independence and personal choice. The schedule is 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday every other weekend. This position is onsite, with no remote or hybrid work availability. Elder Assistants help residents with dressing, personal hygiene, housekeeping, laundry, and other daily needs. They document medication administration and incidents, follow safety and infection-control procedures, support residents during meals, and contribute to a clean, safe, and comfortable living environment. The posting also describes additional Lead Elder Assistant duties, including coordinating and supervising staff, training new hires, adjusting staffing and assignments, and maintaining effective communication among staff, residents, and families.

Requirements

Ability to read and write legibly, follow oral and written instructions, and maintain confidentiality.
Customer-service orientation and ability and willingness to work effectively with a diverse and elderly population.
Flexibility in working hours to meet resident-care needs.
Reliable transportation for commuting and punctual, consistent attendance.
Certified Medical Technician (CMT) certification in good standing with the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in good standing with the Maryland Board of Nursing, or two years of direct elder-care experience and a demonstrated competency evaluation within the first seven days of employment.
First Aid certification within the first six months of employment.
Food-handling qualification within the first six months of employment.
Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance.
Good interpersonal and customer-service skills, with a polite and courteous demeanor toward staff, clients, and visitors.
Ability to maintain a safe environment for patients and coworkers and remain calm in stressful situations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including active listening.
Ability to relate to, empathize with, and show compassion for people with a variety of personalities.
Ability to act with discretion, tact, and professionalism.
Ability to adjust or move objects weighing up to 150 pounds in all directions, including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or repositioning items.
Sufficient hearing and vision, with or without correction, to drive safely and effectively observe and communicate with others.
Ability to communicate with others through speaking, listening, writing, or electronic communication.

Nice To Haves

For the Lead Elder Assistant role, at least two years of direct-care experience in a residential, assisted-living, or long-term-care setting.

Responsibilities

Assist residents with daily living activities, including dressing, bathing, personal hygiene, and care for essential devices.
Support residents with phone use, housekeeping, laundry, and managing mail.
Document every medication administered, refused, held, discontinued, changed, disposed of, or returned on the Medication Administration Record (MAR), according to residence policy.
Count controlled substances with appropriate Certified Medication Technicians (CMTs) at the beginning and end of each shift.
Seek immediate guidance from a supervisor or Nurse Manager when there are questions or doubts about administering medications or treatments.
Monitor for environmental safety hazards and dispose of infectious or potentially infectious waste according to residence policy, procedures, and OSHA regulations.
Follow standard precautions to help control the spread of infection.
Document incidents, errors, and accidents involving residents, staff, or visitors according to agency protocols and regulatory requirements; report them promptly and participate in follow-up as needed.
Assist with dining and housekeeping tasks, including picking up plates, supporting residents during meals, responding to immediate clean-up needs, and addressing housekeeping needs.
Maintain cooperative working relationships with staff and other departments.
Perform other duties as assigned.
As a Lead Elder Assistant, coordinate and provide leadership for other Elder Assistants, oversee daily workflow, and support communication among staff, residents, and families.
Help maintain a welcoming and organized environment.
Train new hires and deliver staff in-service sessions as directed by the Director or Assistant Assisted Living Manager.
Provide guidance, mentorship, and formal supervision to other Elder Assistants.
Adjust staffing and reassign tasks during shifts based on resident needs and team availability.
Regularly round the building to ensure Elder Assistants are alert, engaged, and completing assigned duties.
Use critical thinking and problem-solving to navigate challenges and make informed decisions.
Use conflict-resolution skills and influence staff to foster motivation, teamwork, and a positive work environment.
Prioritize tasks and delegate activities to support workflow and productivity.