Job Type: Ministerial

Reports to: Director of Porta Caeli House

Position Description

This full-time, benefited position is a supportive role for Caregiver staff and an assistive role to the Director of Porta Caeli House, as well as a thoughtful Caregiver to PCH guests alongside other Caregiver staff.

This role is responsible for leading the workflow of the Overnight Caregiving team, including full-time and PRN team members – supervising, delegating, evaluating performance and activities of Caregivers, and ensuring quality guest comfort and care. This role may also serve as a support in admissions (processing referrals) and some administrative duties.

The role of Caregiver provides personal care and delivery of medication in accordance with the hospice plan of care, along with emotional and spiritual care for the guest and their circle. This is done while following all policies and procedures and maintaining the values of Catholic Social Teaching.

Porta Caeli House extends Christ’s love to those in need through compassionate end-of-life care, when dying at home is not an option.

Ministerial

• As a ministerial representative of CCEOK, it is expected that both professional and social behavior be aligned with the ethical and moral standards of the Catholic Church
• Pray daily for the needs of the poor; opportunities include personal prayer, daily Mass, and adoration
• Willingness to learn how to articulate Catholic teaching with a commitment to its application in the job function
• Execute duties in a Christ-like manner with love and compassion following the values and principles of the program, Catholic Charities and Catholic Social Teaching

Leadership

• Train new Caregivers and contribute to performance evaluation at 90 days
• Manage and evaluate the performance of Caregiving staff,  ensuring Caregiving staff follow PCH practices, standards, policies, and procedures, and participate in all scheduled repositioning
• Conduct guest/house rounds and address immediate needs, issues, or complaints
• Continue education and training for Caregiving staff, ensuring Caregivers are well-prepared to accept and fully meet the needs of each new guest
• Communicate policies and updates to the Caregiving team
• Advocate for overnight Caregiver needs
• Audit guest records daily to ensure appropriate care during the guest’s stay
• Audit all medication drawers each night
• Ensure that guest care meets Porta Caeli House standards
• Participate in all-staff and administration team meetings (every Monday at 3:00 pm, every other month on a Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 pm)
• Maintain positive relationships with volunteers
• Demonstrates strong teamwork characteristics and interpersonal skills and ability to work with the interdisciplinary team without role blurring or conflict
• Communicate effectively with the Clinical Coordinator to ensure quality care and adherence to Porta Caeli House procedures across all shifts
• Participate in on-call rotation and scheduling
• Keep a flexible schedule to maintain touchpoints with all overnight shift Caregivers (work occasional weekends)

Caregiving Assistance

• Provide quality end-of-life (EOL) care and support (including personal care) to the guest/family/Caregiver as directed by the Porta Caeli House in compliance with the hospice agency’s plan of care, the guest’s preferences, and the policies of Porta Caeli House (PCH)
• Help the guest/family/Caregivers gain the knowledge they need in preparation for the guest’s worsening condition and eventual death
• Work collaboratively with hospice physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains and other medical professionals to provide the highest quality EOL care to guests at PCH
• Administer and account for all narcotic medications via shift counts and documentation
• Complete accurate and timely documentation according to the policies of PCH
• Notify the Director or On-Call Administration of guest concerns, household issues, or changes in scheduled assignments
• Assists in the admissions process
• Review referrals and create new prospects in ALIS
• Perform other relevant duties as requested/required

Key Skills and Attributes

• Strong commitment to mission of Porta Caeli House and Catholic Charities
• Experience in end-of-life care, loss and grieving
• Able to cope with family emotional stress and tolerant of individual lifestyles
• Keen observation skills
• Ability to communicate compassionately with guests and families, as well as hospice partners
• Experience with electronic record keeping
• Current Food Handlers Permit
• Has presented a pre-employment physician’s health clearance, including a negative TB screening as needed by PCH policy
• Relationship management and strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Ability to problem solve and make concise decisions for the betterment of PCH and all it encompasses, including critical thinking and communication
• PC literate with Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook and various software platforms
• Able to type at least 30 WPM
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively in a team environment
• Will be exposed to blood, body tissues and fluids, airborne contaminants, as well as other hazardous waste materials
• Possesses and maintains good physical stamina and mental health
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel and/or crouch
• Could be required to lift and/or move up to 250 pounds, with the assistance of others, using proper body mechanics

Qualifications

• Caregiving experience required
• Supervisory experience preferred
• LPN Certification