Senior Assistant Qualifications

1. Extensive Interview Process – Minimum of 2 Interviews, CNA Skills Exam, Medications Exam
2. Criminal Background check completed for all states of residence in the past three years – Completed every two years after date of hire
3. Caregiver Background check completed upon hire and every two years after date of hire
4. TB (Tuberculosis) and other communicable diseases screening
5. One full day Orientation with up to 32 hours of on the floor training

            Orientation Topics Covered:

• Policies and Procedures

• Assessment of Residents – Recognizing and responding to changes in condition

• ISP Development – Information regarding needs and assessment of each resident the employee is responsible

• Provision of Personal Care – How to give assistance with all activities of daily living (ADLs)

• Prevention and Reporting of resident abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of resident’s property – Reviewed annually for continuing education requirements

• Emergency and Disaster Plan including evacuation procedures

• Resident’s Rights – Topics include house rules, coercion, retaliation, confidentiality, restraints, self-determination, and the facility’s complaint and grievance procedures - Reviewed annually for continuing education requirements

• All other job responsibilities

6. Standard Precautions – Review of infection control practices to prevent transmission of diseases that can be acquired by contact with blood, body fluids non-intact skin, and mucous membranes - Reviewed annually for continuing education requirements
7. CBRF First Aid and Choking – 4 hour state approved course that covers all first aid components and procedures to alleviate choking - Reviewed annually for continuing education requirements
8. CBRF Fire Prevention and Safety – 6 hour state approved course - Reviewed annually for continuing education requirements
9. Medication Administration and Management– 9 hour state approved course - Reviewed annually for continuing education requirements
10. Extensive training on Med Administration – Complete review of HP Medication Administration Policy - Up to four med shadows with certified med passer/trainer – 3 hour Med Delegation with RN on-site
11. Client Group training specific to the client group served and includes the physical, social, and mental health needs of the client group – Topics include characteristics of client group served, activities, safety risks, environmental considerations, disease processes, communication skills, nutritional needs, and vocational abilities - Reviewed annually for continuing education requirements
12. Training in Recognizing, Preventing, Managing and Responding to Challenging Behaviors – Topics include elopement, aggressive behaviors, destruction of property, self-injurious behavior resident supervision and changes in condition. 
13. Dietary Training – Topics include determining nutritional needs, menu planning, food preparation, and food sanitation. 
14. 15 hours of continuing education related to job responsibilities.  Presenters include representatives from the Alzheimer’s Support Center, Hospice Care, Inc., Heartland Hospice, Home Health United, Mercy Mall Pharmacy, Mercy Occupational Therapy, State Ombudsman Program, and the Alzheimer’s Association.