Elder Assistant (PT Overnight)

Catholic Charities of Baltimore•Baltimore, MD

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Caritas House, is seeking an Elder Assistant to provide essential support to residents who need around-the-clock care because of physical or social impairments. The role supports residents with activities of daily living and medication management while encouraging their independence and personal choice. Caritas House is a senior community that provides services to help residents remain independent and safe. The position works Saturday and Sunday from 11 PM to 7 AM every other weekend. The posting also describes duties for a Lead Elder Assistant, including coordinating and guiding other Elder Assistants, overseeing workflow, training and mentoring staff, adjusting assignments, and maintaining communication among staff, residents, and families. The work is onsite, with no remote or hybrid availability. Employees may encounter body fluids, potential infections, odors, resident behaviors, and chemicals or cleaning solutions. The organization describes itself as a trauma-informed care organization that promotes safety, empowerment, healing, and self-care.

Requirements

Read and write legibly, follow oral and written instructions, and maintain confidentiality.
Be customer service-oriented and willing and able to work effectively with a diverse and elderly population.
Be flexible in working hours to meet resident-care needs.
Have reliable transportation for commuting to work and maintaining punctuality and consistent attendance.
Hold Certified Medical Technician (CMT) certification in good standing with the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Hold Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in good standing with the Maryland Board of Nursing, or have two years of direct elder-care experience and complete a demonstrated competency evaluation within the first seven days of employment.
Obtain First Aid Certification within the first six months of employment.
Complete food-handling requirements within the first six months of employment.
Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance.
Have good interpersonal and customer service skills, with a polite and courteous demeanor toward staff, clients, and visitors.
Maintain a safe environment for patients and coworkers and remain calm in stressful situations.
Have excellent verbal and written communication skills, including active listening.
Relate to, empathize with, and show compassion for a variety of personalities.
Act with discretion, tact, and professionalism in all situations.
For the Lead Elder Assistant role: have 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, care for essential devices, phone use, housekeeping, laundry, and managing mail.
Document each medication administered, refused, held, discontinued, changed, disposed of, or returned on the Medication Administration Record (MAR), in accordance with residence policy.
Count controlled substances with appropriate CMTs at the beginning and end of each shift.
Seek guidance from a supervisor or Nurse Manager before administering medications or treatments whenever there are doubts or questions.
Monitor environmental safety hazards and dispose of infectious and potentially infectious waste according to residence policy, procedure, 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 collecting plates, supporting residents during meals, responding to immediate cleanup needs, and addressing facility housekeeping needs.
Maintain cooperative working relationships with staff and other departments.
Perform other duties as assigned.
For the Lead Elder Assistant role: coordinate and guide other Elder Assistants, oversee daily workflow, and support communication among staff, residents, and families.
For the Lead Elder Assistant role: train new hires and deliver in-service sessions as directed by the Director or Assistant Assisted Living Manager.
For the Lead Elder Assistant role: mentor and formally supervise Elder Assistants and adjust staffing or task assignments based on resident needs and team availability.
For the Lead Elder Assistant role: regularly round the building to ensure Elder Assistants are alert, engaged, and completing assigned duties.
For the Lead Elder Assistant role: use critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, prioritization, and delegation to support effective operations and teamwork.