Nursing Assistant - Rivertown

PACE Southeast Michigan•Detroit, MI

About The Position

The Participant Care Associate (PCA) provides supportive services to participants under the direction of the Center Manager and/or Team Lead/Home Care Coordinator, and under the supervision of a registered nurse. Services may be provided in participants’ homes or communities, during transport and appointments, or in the day health center and dementia unit. Responsibilities for each participant are specified in the PCA/CNA Care Plan, which is based on initial and ongoing assessments performed by a home care RNCM. The PCA supports frail elders’ physical and emotional comfort and helps participants and their families achieve as much self-reliance and independence as possible. The PCA provides the care and services described in each participant’s Care Plan, documents services promptly and accurately, and keeps the RNCM and/or clinic nurse informed of participant progress. The PCA reports complaints and schedule or appointment deviations to a supervisor or manager, responds to emergencies according to established procedures, and works within the established scope of practice. Working conditions vary and may involve exposure to communicable diseases, cleaning solutions, and medications. The PCA receives monthly supervision in the participant’s home and participates in at least one annual joint visit with the RNCM to observe and evaluate performance. Driving within the PACE SEMI catchment area is required, with reliable daily transportation, a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and current automobile insurance. The PCA may need to transfer and move participants, walk and bend frequently, and lift 40 pounds or more. Assignments may change based on participant acuity, needs, and census.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Valid Michigan driver’s license, acceptable driving record, reliable daily transportation, and proof of current automobile insurance.
Current CPR card.
At least one year of experience with a frail or elderly population in a long-term care, hospital, or home care setting.
Certificate of completion from a formal training program outside PACE SEMI, such as Direct Care, Nurse Assistant, Medical Assistant, or Patient Care Technician.
Ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and interdepartmental relationships.
Respect for participants’ and coworkers’ physical, spiritual, and general well-being.
Ability to problem-solve and interpret instructions.
Ability to organize and maintain a flexible schedule to coordinate job responsibilities.
Ability to work sensitively with individuals of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and relate to participants with dementia and/or developmental disabilities.
Ability to perform duties amid frequent interruptions.
Must meet a standardized set of CMS-approved competencies before working independently.
Must be medically cleared for communicable diseases and have all immunizations up to date before direct participant contact.
Ability to transfer and assist with moving patients; frequent walking, bending, and lifting of 40 pounds or more may be required.

Nice To Haves

Certification is optional but preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide and maintain participants’ physical and emotional comfort in their homes, community settings, the day health center, dementia unit, and during transport and appointments.
Assist participants and families in achieving maximum self-reliance and independence.
Provide care and services specified in each participant’s Care Plan and applicable Care Guidelines.
Assist with personal care, activities, meal preparation and feeding, toileting and incontinence management, simple treatments, shopping, medication reminders, laundry, extended-hours care, homemaking, transportation, and off-site appointments.
Accurately and promptly document care and services provided for each visit or encounter, including transport and appointments, on the PCA/CNA progress note.
Keep the RNCM and/or clinic nurse informed of participant progress.
Immediately report customer service complaints and deviations from established schedules or appointments to a supervisor or manager.
Respond to emergencies according to established policies and procedures.
Work only within the established scope of practice.
Participate in annual mandatory in-service training and screening, competency monitoring, and staff meetings.