Community Specialist

Polaris Community The Community Support Specialist is responsible for enhancing the quality of services provided to residents, including community life, dining services, hospitality, supportive services, and transportation. Essential Functions Statement(s) General Responsibilities: Supports and assists residents with their daily needs and activities. Maintains clear and effective communication with residents, families, and team members. Follows all safety and security guidelines, procedures, and protocols. Notifies supervisor of unusual occurrences and significant changes in the condition of residents and takes appropriate action; Identifies emergency situations and responds with appropriate measures. Maintains confidentiality of resident information. Participates in relevant training and educational activities. Adheres to dress code and maintains a professional appearance. Acts and responds calmly to unusual occurrences to maintain the continuity of services. Functions effectively as a team member. Performs other duties as assigned. Supportive Services: Receives assignment from supervisor to assist in supportive services, which may include, but are not limited to, homemaker and chore services, pet care and maintenance, light housekeeping and personal safety check-ins and reminders. Exchanges information through verbal reports with other shifts, including but not limited to, special events, changes in residents’ condition, incidents and accidents. Checks on assigned residents as scheduled; Follows through with resident concerns or needs by delivering services and/or reporting to leader depending upon level of ability and nature of resident need. Welcomes new residents and helps them adjust to new environment; Assists residents, family, and staff to ensure a comfortable homelike environment, i.e.: assists new residents to personalize room and living space. Ensures the cleanliness of resident apartments including: Empties and cleans waste baskets Cleans, dusts, washes and disinfects fixtures, floors, walls and doors, as directed Assists with resident’s personal laundry including: Washing Drying Folding/hanging clothing Changing linens Making beds Assists in escorting residents to and from activities; Assists with and directs activities, as required. Dining Services: Utilizes proper food handling and food service techniques. Ensures tables are set correctly, chairs are clean and in place, and the floor is swept. Takes orders from residents, guests, or staff members in a friendly and timely manner and knowledgeable of all specials and general descriptions of food items on the menus. Communicates with residents in the dining room to enhance the dining experience. Buses tables; washes tables and chairs in the dining room and resets for the next meal service according to established policy and procedure. Sweeps and mops the dining room and kitchen floors as assigned. Removes trash and disposes of it in the dumpster. Washes dishes and silverware according to dishwashing policies and procedures. Stores dishes and silverware according to proper procedures. Assists with the setup and/or teardown of the Bistro grab-and-go continental breakfast. Maintains cleanliness of the Bistro, including washing tables, countertops, and the self-serving area. Maintains clean, neat and orderly work areas. Life Enrichment/Activity Services: Assists in the delivery of community life and activity/engagement programs to promote residents’ opportunities for engaging in life enhancement pursuits and to increase and/or maintain functioning levels. Encourages resident participation in group and individual activities, including arts/crafts, community outings, religious, intellectual/educational, community/center service, and recreational activities. Provides all services with appropriate dementia care protocols. Concierge Services: Greets and gives directions/information to guests, residents, resident families, vendors, etc. Answers the telephone politely and professionally, determines the nature of calls and directs calls to the appropriate individual or department. Takes complete and accurate messages. Performs miscellaneous clerical functions as assigned. Utilizes supplies and equipment properly and without waste. Transportation Services: Transports residents to doctor’s appointments and other activities. Runs errands and performs related duties as needed. Conducts safety checklists according to policy. Maintains the vehicle in a clean condition. SKILLS & ABILITIES Education: High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED): Preferred Experience: No prior experience necessary Computer Skills: Must be able to proficiently operate a computer, the Internet and basic office equipment Other Requirements: Must possess a valid driver's license and meet the eligibility criteria to drive under UCH Liability requirements. Ability to communicate effectively with residents and nursing staff; Ability to read, write, understand and speak the English language; Special care/dementia care employees will have additional training in caring for and treating dementia residents; Must be able to work with elderly residents, families and other health care staff members; Must be able to adhere to all terms and conditions set forth in the United Church Homes Employee Handbook We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. At United Church Homes, It's All About Spirit. As a United Church Homes team member, you help foster a spirit of unity across our communities and a commitment to person-centered care at every level of our organization. We know you have a passion for changing lives and enhancing the well-being of our residents. As a result, we want to help you reach the fullest potential in your career. Here, your gifts and talents are appreciated. Your dedication to relationship-building is valued. At United Church Homes you are just as important as our residents, and together we provide care that nurtures, encourages and creates a sense of community. From the nurses, dietitians, therapists, housekeepers, and others who touch residents' lives on a daily basis, to the administrators and office staff, we share a common goal: excellence in all we do.

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