HUMAN SERVICES ASSISTANT
DEFINITION
Under direction of a supervisor in a health care facility, provides services for residents under indirect as well as direct professional supervision; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
May assist residents throughout admission, treatment, discharge, and community adjustment.
May assist in providing and maintaining a therapeutic environment for residents either in a ward or in a cottage.
Helps residents establish goals for social activities, family interventions, and peer relationships.
May assist residents in writing letters, planning telephone calls, or with other personal matters in accord with established policy.
Participates in continuous resident education programs with particular emphasis on self-help and whenever possible social development within the resident's treatment plan.
Helps residents plan activities and appointments (doctor, dentist, clinics, and so forth).
May be required to transport and/or escort residents to locations within or outside the facility as assigned and remains with residents when indicated.
May assist residents to become familiar with community services and resources (transportation, library, adult school, and so forth).
May assist with formal groups in reality orientation, remotivation, and behavior modification.
Participates in individual and/or group activities with residents and encourages communication during this activity.
May assist residents with and teaches them activities of daily living, and performs components of these activities when the resident is unable to do so.
Bathes and/or assists residents with bathing and recognizes and reports any unusual conditions observed while assisting with or bathing resident.
May assist residents with dressing and grooming.
May assist residents with meals in dining area or in unit and assists them in eating when required.
Encourages socialization at mealtime and intervenes when behavior becomes inappropriate.
Participates in household activities in cottage/ward such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping.
Teaches housekeeping skills to residents and performs basic housekeeping duties to ensure cleanliness of the residents' living quarters.
Collects and bags soiled linen and stores clean linen.
May assist with and provide recreational activities designed to meet the needs of the individual resident.
Attends inservice education sessions to become more proficient in on-the-job skills.
Communicates using interpersonal skills necessary in assisting residents and all other members of the treatment team to perform in a harmonious manner.
Greets and assists visitors with inquiries which do not require professional judgment and/or evaluation and refers all other inquiries to the appropriate treatment team member.
Practices the principles of fire safety, participates in fire and disaster drills, and properly transmits a fire alarm when required.
Makes regular tours of the unit to check fire equipment and other safety factors, recognizes actual and potential safety hazards, and takes corrective action and/or reports condition to the designated person in charge.
Renders basic first aid and emergency care to residents when necessary using principles taught in the program.
Lifts and/or moves residents as required.
Provides medical supplies and equipment for assigned wards, rooms, and buildings.
May assist with search for missing residents.
Submits written reports whenever accidents or incidents occur, and prepares and submits other required reports and records.
Organizes assigned work and develops effective work methods.
Performs related direct care work as assigned.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS
LICENSE Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
In the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, appointees may be required to possess a valid New Jersey Nurse's Aide Certification issued by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services within four (4) months of the date of initial appointment if the position is in a long term nursing care facility.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES Knowledge of problems of persons who are confined to institutions, hospitals, or nursing homes.
Knowledge of housekeeping methods required to maintain cleanliness and sanitation standards of resident areas.
Knowledge of prescribed fire and safety regulations.
Knowledge of principles of body mechanics.
Knowledge of community services and resources which might be utilized by residents.
Ability to assist in recreation, occupation therapy, and social activities of residents.
Ability to monitor resident areas and to notify supervisor of unusual occurrences, irregularities, accidents, illness, and behavior changes.
Ability to feed, bathe, and dress resident or assist in these areas of care.
Ability to render simple first aid and emergency care.
Ability to assist resident in basic self-help skills.
Ability to follow uncomplicated verbal directions and written rules and regulations.
Ability to work effectively with associates, supervisors, and residents.
Ability to keep accurate and detailed reports.
Ability to work with a minimum of supervision in a cottage-type setting.
Ability to assist with the planning and carrying out of household activities in a cottage.
Ability to work with and offer guidance and support to cottage residents/clients.
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible
This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
