Program Assistant

Caring Connection; Benton Harbor (MI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A community care organization in Benton Harbor, Michigan, seeks a Program Assistant to provide personal care and support for program participants, primarily those affected by Alzheimer's disease. The role involves leading activities, assisting with meals, and ensuring client safety. Candidates must have a high school diploma, reliable transportation, and experience working with the elderly or dementia patients. This position requires sound judgment, patient communication, and the ability to work independently.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and aptitude for working with individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease.
• Experience with elderly, handicapped, or dementia patients preferred.
• Must undergo a LIEN check with no felony or abuse/neglect convictions.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care for program participants.
• Assist clients in arriving and leaving the program site.
• Lead daily activities and help organize meals.

Skills

Working with individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease

Reliable transportation

Experience with elderly or dementia patients

Education

High school diploma

Job 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.

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.