Personal Care Assistant

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Personal Care Assistant provides quality direct and indirect care and assistance for residents in Personal Care and Memory Support. This position is expected to support all areas within Personal Care.

Essential Functions/Duties:

• Assists with activities of daily living, (ADL’s and IADL’s) including assisting with transfers, mobility, dressing, personal hygiene including but not limited to mouth care, foot care, showering, episodes of incontinence, shaving, medication storage and distribution, ambulation, transportation coordination and companionship, light housekeeping, and the dining experience. Monitors Oxygen and performs glucose monitoring.


• Monitors and reports changes in resident conditions and reports to licensed nurse or administrator.


• Assist residents with medications and treatments prescribed for self-administration under the direction of a licensed nurse.


• Communicates effectively with Families, PCP’s and Pharmacy’s as needed.


• Serves meals and provides cues and assistance as needed to promote an engaged dining experience.


• Performs light housekeeping duties in resident apartments and household common areas, team rooms, including but not limited to trash collection, linen changes and bed making, light vacuuming, dusting, and spot cleaning as needed.


• Actively participates and engages in the Hearthstone Philosophy by following the daily flow.


• Implements programming with residents (small group setting), including but not limited to cooking, baking, crafts, music and social activities.


• Accurate documents in Point Click Care.


• Maintains open lines of communication during shift and at shift change.


• Learns life stories and engages residents based on likes and dislikes.


• Encourages resident’s independence in performance of all daily living activities as appropriate.


• Understands special needs of the cognitively impaired resident and utilizes appropriate interventions and approaches


• Observes and reports changes in condition and/or behaviors to supervisor/DOW promptly.


• Is flexible and adapts to changing situations.


• Follows THAW Policies and Procedures


• Practices appropriate infection control and safety awareness.


• Follows and supports practices to keep residents safe and free from harm, actively participates in improving resident safety.


• Reports unsafe equipment and hazards to supervisor promptly.


• Has knowledge of DHS regulations as it pertains to daily assignments.


• Participate in and complete all required ongoing training, including monthly online and in-person training, annual skills competencies education, and role-specific certifications, to ensure continued competence and adherence to organizational and regulatory standards.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Possess outstanding customer service ability


• Ability to maintain accurate records and produce effective documentation


• Excellent oral communication skills including a clear speaking voice


• Ability to effectively communicate


• Ability to work under conditions that may be distracting


• Ability to handle multiple interruptions of routine tasks


• Excellent organizational skills


• Ability to adapt to changing needs


• Ability to use a resident and customer-focused approach to problem solving and resident care


• Excellent interpersonal skills and professional demeanor

Core Values:

1. AMBASSADOR: Represents The Highlands at Wyomissing® in a positive light with integrity. Takes pride in our community.


2. COMMITMENT: Dedicated, adaptable, tolerant, dependable, focused, and passionate. Often does more than is required. Reports to work as scheduled and timely.


3. COMPASSIONATE: Is empathetic, mindful, and kind.


4. INNOVATIVE: Is curious. Identifies new methods and efficiencies.


5. RESULTS-DRIVEN: Has a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and completing work. Exerts unusual effort over time to achieve a goal. Maintains commitment to goals in the face of obstacles and frustrations.


6. TEAM ORIENTED: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals.

The Highlands’ Traditions (Customer Service Expectations):

1. SAFETY: Practices safe behaviors to ensure the safety of all.


2. KINDNESS: Projects a positive image and energy. Courteous and respectful to all. Goes above and beyond to exceed customer expectations.


3. SHOW: Takes pride in self-appearance. Stays in “character” and performs the “role in the show.” Ensures work area is show-ready.


4. EFFICIENCY: Performs role with consistency and efficiency. Uses time and resources wisely.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• This position requires the ability to work during nonstandard hours including evenings (depending on shift assigned), weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather.

Hours and Benefits:

• Position is a per-diem position with no guaranteed hours or guaranteed shift assignment.


• Position is not benefits eligible.


• Position requires at least one summer and one winter holiday.


• Position is required to work across all levels of care on The Highlands at Wyomissing^®

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High school Diploma or GED (Required)


• 1-3 years nurse aide experience with older adults in a long-term care or dementia facility (Preferred)


• Temple University Non-Credit Direct Care Staff Training Certification


• DHS Medication Certification or ability to successfully obtain certification within 30 days of employment and maintain compliance.


• Diabetic Certification


• CPR/First Aid Certification


• PA Nurse Aide Certification-skilled (Preferred)


• Completion of the Highlands Hearthstone Ambassador training within 90 days of employment (Required)

Work Authorization/Security Clearances:

• Medical Screening


• Criminal History Clearance


• FBI Fingerprint Clearance (Only required if you have not lived in PA for the last 2 years)


• Immigration and naturalization (I-9) Clearance

Physical Requirements and Physical Demands:

• Hearing: Adequate to perform job duties in person and over the telephone.


• Speaking: Must be able to communicate English clearly in person and over the telephone.


• Writing: Must be able to accurately document pertinent information either by writing or typing.


• Vision: Visual acuity adequate to perform job duties, including reading information from printed sources and computer screens.


• Continuously within shift (67-100%): Standing, Bending, and Balancing


• Frequently within shift (34-66%): Walking


• Occasionally within shift (1-33%): Crouching, Squatting, Crawling, Kneeling, Pulling from floor level up, Reaching above head, Reaching above shoulder, Bending, Pulling with force, Push/Pull (up to 350 lbs.), Lift from floor level up, Lift from waist level up, Lift above shoulders/head, Lifting 50 lbs. maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying objects, Lifting 25 lbs. maximum and frequently and/or carrying objects weighting up to 25 lbs. Ability to lift, push, pull with assistance (mechanical or co-worker) the weight of the average resident specific to the department.

Safety Hazards and Physical Environment:

• May perform emergency care


• May be exposed to blood borne pathogens - High Risk


• May be exposed to communicable diseases


• May be exposed to high noise levels


• May be exposed to moving mechanical parts


• May be exposed to potential electrical shock


• May be exposed to toxic, caustic, chemicals, and / or detergents


• May be exposed to rare occasions during which it is necessary to interact with a resident exhibiting aggressive behavior.