Program Assistant - Food Service Aide

St. John's Community Care•Collinsville, IL

12d

About The Position

The Program Assistant works under the supervision of the Site Manager to support program participants through personal care, activities, meal assistance, and support for participants and families. The program aims to provide participants with a safe and enjoyable experience; focus activities on their remaining abilities and strengths while accommodating limitations; encourage social interaction that supports belonging, self-worth, and dignity; and support family caregivers by offering an alternative care setting, respite, educational materials, an accepting atmosphere, and referrals to other resources. This is a full-time, hourly position. Program Assistants help prepare and clean the activity space, welcome participants and families, facilitate and adapt activities, assist with personal hygiene and meals, maintain kitchen and bathroom cleanliness, communicate participant-related concerns to the Site Manager or Program Nurse, and complete documentation as needed. They may occasionally transport a participant or run errands if assigned, though this is not required. The role requires respectful, cooperative, confidential, and dependable conduct.

Requirements

Knowledge and skill equivalent to a high school education.
Ability to write, speak, and read understandable English.
Ability to deal patiently, compassionately, and non-judgmentally with participants and family members.
Demonstrated record of reliability.
Ability to meet a flexible schedule.
Provide valid identification.
Provide a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete an application, including authorization for reference checks, criminal record checks, and obtaining a driving record abstract.
Complete TB screening, food managers certificate, and first aid training.
Complete orientation training within the first month of working with the program.
Be dependable regarding attendance, with fewer than 4% absences, and punctuality.
Abide by St. John’s appearance standards policy and all policies and procedures of St. John’s Community Care.
Contribute to the organization’s positive culture through teamwork, relationships with colleagues, and commitment to its mission.

Responsibilities

Set up the room for the day’s activities.
Welcome participants as they arrive and help them and their family members feel comfortable.
Work with the Site Manager and other Program Aides to provide appropriate activities that meet participants’ needs and interests, such as crafts, current events, snacks and meals, exercises, and music.
Assist participants with activities and encourage participation.
Provide an alternate activity for individuals who prefer not to participate or are unable to participate because of cognitive deficits, agitation, or other reasons.
Assist participants with toileting and personal hygiene as needed.
Assist participants as family members arrive to take them home.
Clean up the room and return activity materials to storage.
Assist with meal and snack serving, set-up, and clean-up.
Keep the kitchen clean, load and unload the dishwasher, and take out trash as needed.
Monitor bathrooms and clean them as needed.
Advise the Site Manager and/or Program Nurse of concerns about participant interactions, adjustment, or behavior, and work cooperatively to devise solutions.
Assist with documentation as needed.
Report suspected abuse or neglect of seniors or adults with disabilities as mandated by state law.
Occasionally provide transportation for a participant or run errands as assigned by the Program Director; this is not required.
Work cooperatively with participants, other staff, and volunteers.
Respect the confidentiality of program participants and their families at all times.
Participate in orientation and ongoing training and staff meetings.