Caregiver Jobs

A caregiver is responsible for providing routine nursing care in accordance with established policies and procedures and as may be directed by the Charge Nurse, RN Supervisor, Director of Nurses or Administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.
Qualifications

• Must possess a sincere desire to serve the ill, aged and infirm.
• Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.
• A minimum of 6 months experience as a caregiver.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Ability to read, write and speak the English language.
• Possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, and the general public.
• Willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
GENERAL

• Report any medication found in the resident’s room. Take to the Charge Nurse immediately.
• Do not permit residents to smoke in bed.
• Report any resident abuse immediately (ie., harsh/abusive language, unnecessary roughness, etc.)
• Attend in-service educational programs, on the job training programs and meetings as directed.
• Report any bruise, skin tears, incidents or accidents to the Charge Nurse immediately.
• Prepare residents for therapy, activities, physician visits, religious services, etc., to include transporting residents to/from such activities.
• Report all complaints to the Charge Nurse.
• Other related duties as may become necessary or as directed by the Charge Nurse, RN Supervisor, Director of Nurses, or Administrator.
• Report all hazardous conditions and faulty equipment to the Charge Nurse immediately.
• Answer residents’ call lights promptly.
• Feed residents who cannot feed themselves.
• Check for food in residents’ room. Ensure that food is kept in a sealed container.
• Assist in preparing residents for meals (taking to/from dining room, serving trays, placing bibs, assisting in feeding or cutting food, removal of trays, supervision in dining room, etc.).
• Assure that the nurse’s call system is attached to the bed and within easy reach at all times when residents are bedfast.
• Make resident rounds at the beginning of each shift and every two hours thereafter to administer quality nursing care.
• Dress residents neatly and in their own clothing. Assist residents in dressing as necessary.
• Verify the identification of a resident before administering nursing care or serving food, to assure that appropriate care is being provided to the correct resident. Report missing ID bands to admission coordinator immediately.
• Keep incontinent residents clean and dry as possible at all times. Change bed linens, diapers and clothing as often as necessary.
• Serve drinking water as required. Assure that water pitchers are cleaned, filled with fresh drinking water and within the resident’s reach. Pass water pitcher as per established policy and procedure.
• Serve nourishment in accordance with established facility procedures.
• Assure that resident’s food is accessible and self-help devices are available as needed.
• Make beds, clean bedside and overbed tables.
• Perform all duties as assigned and in accordance with facility’s established policies and procedures, nursing care procedures and safety rules and regulations.

CLINICAL

• Follow infection control procedures in accordance with established facility policy when isolation techniques are necessary.
• Record resident’s food and nourishment intake as directed.
• Keep hair under arms and face on female residents clean-shaven as necessary or instructed. Trim hair in nose and ears as needed.
• Apply hand roll or splint to residents with contractures as outlined within the facility’s established policies and procedures.
• Chart required information every shift.
• Apply postural support properly. Check with Charge Nurse for type of restraint to be used.
• Comb and brush resident’s hair daily. Shampoo hair on shower days.
• Observe disoriented and comatose residents and notify Charge Nurse immediately.
• Other related duties as may become necessary or as directed by the Charge Nurse, RN Supervisor, Director of Nurses, or Administrator.
• Clip and trim fingernails.
• Assist residents to/from bathroom. Offer bedfast residents bedpans and urinals. Clean and store such equipment after each use (document Intake and Output as directed).
• Apply Vaseline or A & D ointment to dry skin in accordance with established policies.
• Complete Intake and Output documentation on all residents with orders before the end of each shift.
• Move and turn bedfast residents at least every two hours and record such information on CNA notes.
• Observe and report the presence of reddened areas on bony prominences.
• Place residents in correct and comfortable position. Head of bed elevated at 30° for all residents on enteral feeding.
• Assist residents with dental and mouth care. Clean dentures after each meal. Keep dentures clean and soaked with Efferdent after dinner.
• Perform after meal care as required - cleaning resident’s hands, face, clothing, dentures, etc.
• Wash hands before and after caring for each resident.
• Bathe residents as assigned and in accordance with established facility procedures (encourage showers and other self-help measures/activities).
• Keep drainage bag off the floor when resident is in bed or in wheelchair.
• Shave male residents daily or as needed.
• Check and document bowel movements and character of stools every shift.

CONSUMER SERVICE

• Adheres to Company Standards for resolving consumer concerns.
• Presents professional image to consumers through dress, behavior and speech.
• Ensures that all consumer/resident rights are protected.