Employment at Gateway Home

Position Overview

24 Hour Shift position, reports to Director of Resident Care.

Responsibilities

The following statements outline primary functions of the job and are not intended as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities.

• Maintain and document narcotic inventory; prepare doses of medication for residents, with instructions on dosage and administration in clear, understandable terms. Work under the direction of VNA/Hospice.
• Ensure sufficient medications and supplies are available, especially for holidays and weekends.
• Assess residents during AM care, update care plans as needed, and provide daily bathing and personal care.
• Notify VNA/Hospice nurse of any incidents (e.g., falls) or concerns (e.g., medication or catheter needs).
• Handle admissions as needed.
• Provide emotional support and assistance to families.
• Nurse is responsible for pronouncing death and remaining at Gateway Home until the body is released to the funeral home.

Schedule Details

• Nurses coordinate resident care for a 24-hour period, from 8am to 8am, covering all unmanned shifts in full.
• Nurses typically work 4 hours with residents in the AM (8am-12noon), followed by 20 hours of paid "on-call" time. Nurses must be reachable during on-call hours for questions.
• Any shift changes or call-ins must be reported to the director in advance.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

• Works under the direction of the nurse in charge, according to the instructions in the resident care plan.
• Provides basic personal care such as assisting with bathing, oral hygiene, toileting, skin care, ambulating and exercise.
• Measures and records oral, rectal or axillary temperature, pulse and respiration rates, and blood pressure when ordered (within the training limitations of the aide).
• Assists with household tasks directly essential to the resident's health and as directed in the Daily Chore Book.
• Provides a clean and safe environment within the home, including safe use of the equipment: e.g. foot stools, side rails, wheelchairs, oxygen, etc.
• Prepares meals based on resident preference and prescribed medical regimen.
• Assists resident with prescribed medication regimen, as directed in the resident care plan.
• Performs range of motion and other simple procedures as an extension of therapy services as ordered (within the limitations of the aide).
• Immediately reports any changes in the resident's mental, physical or environmental condition and relates these changes to the nurse in charge and/or On-call nurse.
• Accurately documents the following in a timely manner:
  • Services provided in accordance with agency policies and procedures on the day of services are rendered.
  • All resident-related activities
• Reacts to change productively and performs other job-related tasks and duties assigned.
• Attends appropriate In-Service and Continuing Education Programs.

The Care Aide does NOT take physician's orders or perform any procedures requiring the knowledge/skill of a licensed nurse. The On-call nurse is available at all times.