Program Assistant

Job Description *Program Assistant* LIFE Adult Day Center Requirements: The Program Assistant shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and shall have training or experience working with adults in a health care or social service setting.
Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Program Director, Program Specialist and Food, Safety and Wellness Specialist, the Program Assistant may have the following responsibilities: *General*: · Provide individualized attention to the Participants, promoting each person’s independence and personal dignity.
· Keep accurate records for: personal care schedules, attendance, caregiver communication, meals, documentation, incidents, etc.
as needed for adherence to the Center’s licensing and contract requirements.
· _Protect Participant confidentiality __*at all times*__.
This includes any communication of personal_ _details within or without the Center, refraining from mentioning such to anyone who is __*not*_ _staff.
_ · Monitoring the safety of each Participant at all times throughout their day at the Center.
· Document Participants progress toward Service Plan goals in the person’s confidential file as scheduled by the Program Coordinator(s).
· Under the Direction of the Food, Safety and Wellness Specialist, may order meals, assist in preparing meals, prepare meals and snacks, and maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of the kitchen area.
· Practice proper sanitation and food storage when working with Participant’s snacks/meals.
· Adhere to special dietary restrictions for all Participants.
· Participate in staff meetings as scheduled.
· Be aware of all emergency practices, procedures, and protocol.
· Maintain the cleanliness of the Center and all of its equipment/ supplies.
· Ensure continuity of care thought out the day for each person by communicating changes, needs, or new information to the correct staff members.
· Communicate problems, progress, or needs of persons either to family /caregivers *or* to the correct staff member that will then be able to communicate these issues to the family/caregivers.
· Monitor the appearance of all Participants to ensure that they are clean.
· Present with a positive, upbeat, and professional attitude throughout each shift.
· Operate in a respectful and professional manner with all caregiver/family, Participants, other staff, and any volunteers or visitors to the Center.
· Rotate duties as scheduled, needed or directed by supervisors between the major positions for Participant Care: Activity Leader/Desk Monitor/Housekeeping · Ensure that all housekeeping is done in a timely manner and ensure that other staff have adequate time to complete household tasks.
· Communicate to other staff who may be working this area later any responsibilities that were not completed.
· Communicate to the person at the Desk at all times when not in view of other staff so that all staff may be located in case of emergency.
· Assist Food, Safety and Wellness Specialist in marinating inventory by keeping supplies stocked in areas for ADL’s, personal care, or cleaning.
· Report any inventory needs to Food, Safety and Wellness Specialist.
· Direct volunteers as requested.
· Assist new staff in learning proper procedures and directing them as needed.
· Ensure the safety of the environment for Participants and other staff at all times: o Keeping all areas in the Center clean and sanitized o Ensuring walkways and activity areas clear of tripping hazards o Placing activity supplies away after groups in the correct storage areas o Guarantee that all toxic supplies are kept in locked areas and stored in proper, marked containers, as per state regulations.
o Keeping the church property clean and free of damaged as per the contract with the Church, reporting any damage or repair needs to the Director immediately.
*Activity Leader/Facilitator* · Under the direction of the Program Director and Program Specialist, assisting with the planning and/or implementation of activities designed to help participants achieve the goals of the service plan created by the Program Director.
· Facilitate the participation of each person in the activity groups, creating a positive environment of acceptance and enjoyment for each individual.
· Adapt the activity as needed to assist each person to participate within their ability level.
· Ensure that the focus of all groups is the Participants and their experiences and/or needs.
· Make sure that all Participants are engaged in activity in some manner.
· Notify other staff immediately if help is needed.
· Adhere to the purpose and goal of each activity group as explained by the Program Director or Program Specialist.
· Set up activity groups that provide an environment to help maximize the facilitation of each Participant and create a safe environment to keep everyone free from falls/injury.
· Monitor all Participants during activity to ensure safety.
· Resolve conflicts between Participants in a manner that ensures respect for both parties.
Engage other staff to help if needed.
· Be aware of possible disruptive behaviors of certain Participants and how to deal with them.
Again, engage other staff as help or resources.
· Decrease anxiety/boredom of Participants by keeping them engaged and active during group.
· Ensure that all activity supplies are set up before group is scheduled to transfer; asking questions of Program Director or Program Specialist if needed to understand what is needed for the group.
· Communicate feedback about the activity to the Programing team to ensure quality and success of programming.
· Share any ideas for programming with Programing team.
· Clean and straighten rooms if possible during transfer time or after the group.
· Communicate with other staff if a Participant exits the group for any reason, ensuring that a staff member is monitoring the person.
· Communicate with other staff any personal care needs during the group, with respect to each person’s dignity and confidentiality.
*Desk Monitor/Reception* · Present with a positive, respectful, helpful, and upbeat manner.
This is the first point of contact for every person with the Center.
· Maintain accurate records of attendance in order to ensure accuracy of billing.
· Assist caregivers with information as needed.
· Communicate any information provided by caregivers to other staff to ensure continuity of care throughout the day.
· Ensure that all supplies belonging to Participants are labeled with their name and stored in the proper place ASAP.
· Make sure that any medications brought to the Center are checked in *immediately *with the Food, Safety and Wellness Specialist, Program Director or Executive Director to ensure that the doctor has provided a written order and that it is provided to staff in the correct container.
· Ask other staff for assistance or information as needed.
· Make certain that any money or checks delivered to the Center are taken to the office immediately or that the caregiver brings it to the office.
· Assist caregivers or Participants who are on a state contract with the EBT system as needed.
· Monitor that all Participants on a state contract swipe their card upon arrival and departure.
· Communicate to other staff if a Participant did not use the EBT system to ensure that the swipe is done with 10 calendar days.
If not, the Center will not be paid for services.
· Maintain awareness of all entries and exits from the Center, being aware of any Participants that pass the desk or are at the east end of the hallway by the emergency exit.
· Monitor the Participants and other staff in the foyer and the hallway at all times, especially during transfer times to ensure awareness and safety.
· Make sure that any Participant who exits a group is monitored and assisted by another staff member.
· Maintain awareness of any Participants in the front bathrooms and monitor that they safely return to the group, even if they are considered “independent”.
· Answer the Center’s phone: o Direct calls to the appropriate staff member.
o Ensure that all messages from caregivers are recorded in log and on message board as needed so that other staff is aware of any changes or needs.
o Take accurate messages for other staff, including accurate spelling of names and telephone numbers by repeating information back to caller when taking message.
o Ensure that the staff messages are given to the staff member ASAP.
If they are not there, then the messages are to be passed to someone who may be able to help.
o Be aware of how to use the transfer system to prevent callers from being disconnected.
o Ensure that the staff member to whom the call is being transferred is in the office before transferring the call.
· Assist with opening and closing duties when directed by supervisor.
· Ensure cleanliness of front foyer.
Job Type: Part-time Pay: From $12.
00 per hour Benefits: * Paid time off Patient demographics: * Adults * Older adults Schedule: * Day shift * Monday to Friday * No weekends Ability to Relocate: * Stillwater, OK 74075: Relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: In person