Program Assistant

Caring Connection; Benton Harbor (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Caring Connection is seeking a Program Assistant to provide personal care for participants, lead activities, and assist the Adult Day Services Supervisor with daily routines. The role involves helping with meals, supervising transport, and maintaining a safe, welcoming environment at the program site.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma, reliability, and experience with seniors or dementia. TB tests and background checks are required, with first aid/CPR training preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and aptitude in working with individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
• Reliable transportation to work.
• Must be responsible and work well with others.
• Experience with elderly, handicapped, or dementia patients preferred.
• TB test on hire and retest every three years.
• Background check with no felony or abuse/neglect convictions.
• Preferred experience as a Caregiver/DSP/CNA/HHA/etc.

Responsibilities

• Sets up room for daily program.
• Assists clients arriving and leaving, incl. walkers and wheelchairs.
• Organizes and serves lunch and snacks.
• Leads daily activities and exercise groups.
• Assists with special events and outings.
• Takes clients for walks and outings, monitors safety.
• Daily documentation of activities, behaviors and toileting.
• Communicates appropriately with clients, caregivers and volunteers.
• Operate wheelchair van and assist clients onto/off the vehicle.

Skills

Reliable transportation

Team player

Experience with dementia

First aid & CPR

Background check

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Description

Position Summary

The Program Assistant will provide personal care for participants in the program, lead activities, assist the Adult Day Services Supervisor with activities, and help serve meals and snacks. Program Assistant must be able to carry out the daily routine at the program site without constant supervision and is under the supervision of the Adult Day Services Supervisor and the Director of Programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Sets up room for daily program.
• Maintains neatness and order in rooms.
• Assist clients in arriving and leaving program site. Including removal of coats, assisting with walkers and wheelchairs.
• Organizes, prepares, and helps distribute lunch and snacks.
• Leads daily activities on a regular basis, including exercise, AM and PM groups.
• Assists Activity Coordinator with special events and parties.
• Takes clients for walks, and outings.
• Keeps Activity Coordinator informed on needed supplies.
• Socializes with clients.
• Reports unusual behavior of clients (disposition, wandering) to Activity Coordinator or Nurse
• Toilets Clients per client's individual care plan.
• May open and close the premises.
• Informs Supervisor of all schedule changes within an appropriate amount of time, i.e., calls in sick as soon as possible.
• Communicates in an appropriate manner with clients, caregivers, and volunteers.
• Cleans up after activities, returning items to the proper location in supplies closet.
• Daily documentation of activities, behaviors and toileting schedule.
• Monitoring of clients safety and whereabouts at all time.
• Operating a Wheelchair equipped van or Passenger Van
• Assisting clients on and off of the van.
• Maintain cooperative work relationships.
• Ability to work outdoors sometimes in inclement weather.
• Ability to understand and maintain time points and schedules.
• Able to work with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergencies.
• Securing wheelchairs in standard to ADA
• Assisting confused clients to and from the vehicle.
• Ability to successfully complete a certified first aid and CPR class and to correctly apply training to clients as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Have a high school diploma and demonstrable aptitude in working with individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
• Reliable transportation to work.
• Must be responsible and work well with others.
• Experienced in working with the elderly, handicapped, or dementia patients is preferred
• TB Test upon hire and retest every three years.
• Undergo a LIEN check with no felony convictions and no abuse/neglect convictions.
• Preferred experience as a Caregiver, Direct Care Worker (DCW), Direct Support Professional (DSP), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Home Health Aide (HHA), Resident Assistant, Activities Assistant, or Personal Care Assistant (PCA). Experience working with seniors, individuals with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, developmental disabilities, or behavioral health needs is highly desirable.