Elder Assistant (PRN)

About the role

Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Caritas House, is currently seeking an Elder Assistant to provide essential support to residents needing around-the-clock care.

Responsibilities

• Assists with daily life activities, including dressing, bathing, and personal hygiene, care for essential devices, and support with tasks like phone use, housekeeping, laundry, and managing mail
• Ensures clear and accurate documentation on the Medication Administration Record (MAR) for every medication administered, refused, held, discontinued, changed, disposed of, or returned, following residence policy
• Performs count of controlled substances with appropriate CMTs at the beginning and end of shift
• Sets aside doubts or questions about administering medications or treatments before proceeding with the task
• Makes sure the environment is free from safety hazards, disposes of infectious and potentially infectious waste according to residence policy and procedure, and follows OSHA regulations
• Accurately documents all incidents, errors, and accidents involving residents, staff, or visitors in accordance with agency protocols and regulatory requirements; ensures timely reporting to supervisors and participates in follow-up as needed
• Assists with a variety of dining and housekeeping tasks, including picking up plates, supporting residents during meals, responding to immediate clean-up needs while providing care, and taking appropriate action when identifying housekeeping needs within the facility to ensure a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for residents
• Maintains cooperative working relationships with staff and other departments
• Performs other duties as assigned

Lead Elder Assistant

• Serves as a point of coordination and leadership for other Elder Assistants, helps to oversee daily workflow, and ensures smooth communication between staff, residents, and families
• Serves as a trainer for new hires and delivers in-service sessions for staff as directed by the Director or Assistant Assisted Living Manager, ensuring staff competency and compliance with facility standards
• Provides guidance, mentorship, and formal supervision to other Elder Assistants to ensure smooth daily operations
• Aids in staffing adjustments as needed during the shift, including reassigning tasks based on resident needs and team availability
• Rounds the building regularly to ensure Elder Assistants are alert, engaged, and completing duties as assigned

Experience Requirements

• Ability to read and write legibly, follow both oral and written instructions, and maintain required confidentiality
• Customer service-oriented, with the ability and willingness to work effectively with a diverse and elderly population
• Flexibility in working hours to meet the needs of resident care
• Reliable transportation for commuting to and from work to ensure punctuality and consistent attendance

Required Skills & Abilities

• Shows reliability by being punctual and maintaining consistent attendance
• Good interpersonal skills and customer service skills, with polite and courteous demeanor toward staff, clients, and visitors
• Maintains a safe environment for patients and co-workers
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including active listening
• Ability to relate to, empathize with, and show compassion for a variety of personalities
• Ability to act with discretion, tact, and professionalism in all situations

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• No remote or hybrid work availability based on core and essential functions of the position
• Adjusting or moving objects up to 150lbs in all directions, which may include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or repositioning items as necessary to perform job duties
• Engaging in communication with others to exchange information, which may involve speaking, listening, writing, or using electronic communication methods to ensure clear and effective understanding
• This includes both verbal and non-verbal interactions with colleagues, clients, or external parties
• Hearing and vision abilities, with or without correction, sufficient to drive safely and effectively observe and communicate with others
• May encounter body fluids, potential infections, various odors, resident behaviors, and chemicals or cleaning solutions

Benefits

• We offer a wide range of benefits to meet the ever-changing needs of our employees including but not limited to:
• Health/Dental/Vision
• Vacation/sick/holiday pay
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with a discretionary employer contribution
• Tuition Advancement
• Paid Parental Leave

Company Information

We offer a trauma-informed care organization that promotes a culture of safety, empowerment, healing, and self-care, and that believes that every person has infinite worth and promise.

Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer.