ABOUT PACE:

Philanthropists Gary and Mary West founded West Health with the mission of enabling seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life, and independence. The Gary and Mary West PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), affiliated with West Health (www.westhealth.org), is a non-profit that delivers medical, social, and behavioral services to the frail elderly to the North County of San Diego. This PACE center is entrepreneurial in nature and focuses on innovations and bringing new processes to the traditional PACE environment.
We’re looking for passionate healthcare providers who want to be part of a team dedicated to enable seniors to live in their communities as independently as possible by providing compassionate, comprehensive health and supportive care.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Clinic Manager, the Nursing Assistant is responsible for providing essential patient care such as assisting with daily living activities, recording vital signs, and supporting patient mobility in both the center and home settings.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION:

• Must possess, as a minimum, a GED or high school diploma.
• CPR/BLS certification required.
• CNA Certification required.
• Original valid Driver’s License with proof of auto insurance.

SKILLSEXPERIENCE:

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques involved in relating to frail elderly persons.
• Minimum of one (1) year of documented experience working with a frail or elderly population preferred.
• Skill in communicating with participants, their families, and other staff members; ability to establish a helping, trusting relationship with participants.
• Completion of senior awareness and sensitivity training to meet the specialized needs of participants, including but not limited to Dementia care and transfer techniques for bedbound participants (offered by West PACE).
• Demonstrate ongoing sensitivity to the needs of older adults as evidenced by a caring approach, patience in providing care, and responsiveness to participant requests.
• Ability to follow directions, verbal, and written instructions, and adapt work schedule under supervision.
• Ability to follow through with instructions and directions provided by supervisor, RN, QAPI coordinator, primary care physician, and/or medical director.
• Ability to utilize appropriate safety measures when providing care.
• Ability to relate to the public and governmental agencies in a pleasant, patient, and professional manner
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously as part of an interdisciplinary team, the elderly, providers of services, and peers in particular.
• Well organized, dependable, flexible, and resourceful.

• Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team in ongoing participant assessment and monitoring. Report on personal care services provided and the self-care abilities of participant, including changes noted in participant’s condition.
• Provide personal care assistance that will maintain the independence of the participant to conduct activities of daily living, including toileting, showers, eating, and grooming (see complete list in CNA Scope of work).
• Assist in the maintenance of physical activity, therapeutic exercises, transfers between bed and wheelchair, repositioning bedridden participants to prevent pressure injuries and ambulation for participants, as instructed by rehabilitation personnel. Efficiently assist with hydraulic floor-based full body sling, sit-to stand, or over-head full body sling Hoyer lift and safely transfers participant with minimal physical effort.
• Assist participants with bowel and bladder care management within the scope of CNA certification
• Monitor Vital Signs by taking and recording blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature and oxygen saturation.
• Performs basic medical tasks under the supervision of a licensed nurse, such as collect specimens, assist with medical equipment and perform basic first aid in emergency situations.
• Responsible for participant safety. Identify safety hazards and emergency situations and initiate corrective action as able. Incident reports to be submitted within a timely manner as reported to the appropriate department.
• Provide care to participants afflicted with Alzheimer’s and other Dementia’s following a comprehensive training on the topic.
• Provide behavioral supervision or support for participants, such as reality orientation, reminder to follow through with nursing and medication instruction, diet restrictions, and emotional reassurance.
• Assist with general activities such as conversing with participants, recreation activities, meal and snack serving, and housekeeping.
• Assist in identifying signs and symptoms indicating physical, emotional, or behavioral change in participants and reporting these signs to the RN? and/or supervisor, including but not limited to, any changes in skin integrity, bowel and bladder status, food/fluid intake, or changes in ambulation.
• Assure compliance with infection control, personal protection equipment, blood-borne pathogens, hazardous material handling, and fire safety standards.
• Escort participants to medical, dental, optometry, rehabilitation, and other appointments as necessary.
• Assist non-medical transportation team with stair chair lift and transfer of participant onto bus for appointments or day center attendance as needed.
• Maintain current written records, indicating ongoing documentation of services provided, reassessments of changing needs, and participant’s expressed wishes.
• Prepare and submit timely written reports as required.
• Maintain confidentiality of participant information.