Elder Assistant (PRN)

Catholic Charities of Baltimore•Baltimore, MD

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Caritas House, is seeking an Elder Assistant to provide essential support to residents needing around-the-clock care due to physical or social impairments. This role involves assisting with daily living activities and medication management, while encouraging and upholding residents’ independence and personal choice. Caritas House is a senior community offering services to help residents remain independent and safe. The Elder Assistant helps residents with activities of daily living including dressing, personal hygiene, housekeeping, and laundry services. The Care Assistant assists residents who are physically and/or socially impaired and need 24-hour oversight, with activities of daily living, always fostering residents’ independence and freedom of choice.

Requirements

Ability to read and write legibly, follow both oral and written instructions, and maintain required confidentiality.
Customer service-oriented, with the ability and willingness to work effectively with a diverse and elderly population.
Flexibility in working hours to meet the needs of resident care.
Reliable transportation for commuting to and from work to ensure punctuality and consistent attendance.
Certified Medical Technician (CMT) in good standing with Maryland Board of Nursing.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA in good standing with Maryland Board of Nursing; OR Two (2) years of direct elder care experience and demonstrated competency evaluation with first seven (7) days of employment.
First Aid Certification, within the first six months of employment.
Food handling, within the first six months of employment.
Minimum of 2 years of direct care in a residential, assistant living, or long-term care setting.
Shows reliability by being punctual and maintaining consistent attendance.
Good interpersonal skills and customer service skills, with polite and courteous demeanor toward staff, clients, and visitors.
Maintains a safe environment for patients and co-workers.
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills including active listening.
Ability to relate to, empathize with, and show compassion for a variety of personalities.
Ability to act with discretion, tact, and professionalism in all situations.

Responsibilities

Assists with daily life activities, including dressing, bathing, and personal hygiene, care for essential devices, and support with tasks like phone use, housekeeping, laundry, and managing mail.
Ensures clear and accurate documentation on the Medication Administration Record (MAR) for every medication administered, refused, held, discontinued, changed, disposed of, or returned, following residence policy.
Performs count of controlled substances with appropriate CMTs at the beginning and end of shift.
Seeks guidance from a supervisor or Nurse Manager immediately if there are any doubts or questions about administering medications or treatments before proceeding with the task.
Monitors for environmental safety hazards, disposing of infectious and potentially infectious waste according to residence policy and procedure, and OSHA regulations.
Controls the spread of infection by following standard precautions.
Accurately documents all incidents, errors, and accidents involving residents, staff, or visitors in accordance with agency protocols and regulatory requirements; ensures timely reporting to supervisors and participates in follow-up as needed.
Assists with a variety of dining and housekeeping tasks, including picking up plates, supporting residents during meals, responding to immediate clean-up needs while providing care, and taking appropriate action when identifying housekeeping needs within the facility to ensure a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for residents.
Maintains cooperative working relationships with staff and other departments.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Serves as a point of coordination and leadership for other Elder Assistants, helps to oversee daily workflow, and ensures smooth communication between staff, residents, and families.
Helps to maintain a welcoming and organized environment.
Trains new hires and delivers in-service sessions for staff as directed by the Director or Assistant Assisted Living Manager, ensuring staff competency and compliance with facility standards.
Provides guidance, mentorship, and formal supervision to other Elder Assistants to ensure smooth daily operations.
Assists with staffing adjustments as needed during the shift, including reassigning tasks based on resident needs and team availability.
Rounds the building regularly to ensure Elder Assistants are alert, engaged, and completing duties as assigned.
Apply strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate challenges and make informed decisions.
Ability to remain alert, engaged, and responsive while supervising and assisting staff during shifts.
Possesses the ability to influence and engage staff, fostering motivation and teamwork.
Utilizes effective conflict resolution skills to address issues and maintain a positive work environment.
Effectively prioritizes tasks and delegates activities as appropriate to ensure optimal workflow and productivity.