Care Assistant (Residential Services)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Care Assistant is a member of the interdisciplinary care team responsible for supporting clients throughout their admission, residential stay, and transition from the program. Working collaboratively with nursing staff, behavioral health clinicians, substance use disorder counselors, case managers, and medical providers, the Care Assistant helps ensure a safe, welcoming, and recovery-oriented environment while promoting high-quality client care and positive health outcomes.

The Care Assistant is responsible for coordinating admissions, conducting intake activities, obtaining and documenting vital signs, supporting medication reconciliation and medication storage processes, facilitating daily programming, maintaining accurate documentation, and communicating client needs to the interdisciplinary care team. The Care Assistant also assists clients with orientation to the residential program, wellness activities, life skills development, and coordination of medical services as needed.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Client Admissions & Intake

• Coordinate client admissions and complete intake documentation.
• Welcome and orient new clients to the residential program, facility, daily schedule, and program expectations.
• Assist with completion of admission paperwork and required consent forms.
• Conduct client belongings searches in accordance with organizational policies and program procedures.
• Prepare client rooms, hygiene supplies, and admission materials.
• Assist clients with settling into the program and addressing immediate needs.

Client Care & Recovery Support

• Obtain and accurately document vital signs.
• Observe clients throughout the shift and promptly report changes in condition or safety concerns to licensed staff.
• Communicates client concerns, requests, and needs to the interdisciplinary care team.
• Encourage client participation in treatment, recovery activities, and wellness programming.
• Facilitate or assist with life skills, wellness, psychoeducational, and recovery support groups as assigned.
• Promote a respectful, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented environment.
• Support clients with daily living activities consistent with program expectations.

Medication & Medical Support

• Complete medication inventory and documentation during admission and throughout client stay at Residential program.
• Assist with medication reconciliation by collecting medication information for review by licensed staff.
• Secure, count, and document client medications from Provider patient plan according to organizational policy.
• Coordinate medication refills with pharmacies under established procedures with providers and nurse (If available).
• Prepare clients for medical appointments and assist providers during admission via medical visits as requested.
• Coordinate provider visits when clients require medical evaluation and attend huddle for intakes of clients.

Documentation & Care Coordination

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation in the electronic health record.
• Document client observations, interactions, admissions, medication inventories, and program participation.
• Participate in daily interdisciplinary huddles and care team meetings.
• Communicate effectively with nursing staff, behavioral health clinicians, substance use disorder counselors, case managers, and providers regarding client needs.
• Assist with referrals, follow-up appointments, and discharge planning and transportation support as assigned.

Program Operations

• Assist in maintaining adequate supplies and inventory.
• Ensure client care areas remain clean, organized, and prepared.
• Monitor medical and programming equipment and report maintenance concerns.
• Participate in quality improvement activities and required staff training.
• Travel between CMC locations as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Support with Meal preparation and Food ordering.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of an Emergency Medical Technician training program preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS)/ cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification or ability to obtain before date of hire.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Valid California Driver's License, proof of automobile insurance, and reliable transportation if travel between sites is required.
• Knowledge of HIPAA confidentiality requirements and trauma-informed care principles preferred.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of residential treatment and recovery-oriented services.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and person-centered care principles.
• Ability to obtain and document vital signs accurately.
• Ability to recognize and report changes in client condition.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced residential environment.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to de-escalate difficult situations using appropriate communication techniques.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, and assisting clients throughout the facility. May occasionally lift or carry up to 50 pounds. Requires manual dexterity, visual acuity, and hearing sufficient to perform essential job functions. May be exposed to communicable diseases and bodily fluids while following standard infection prevention practices.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in a residential behavioral health and substance use treatment environment requiring frequent interaction with clients, families, visitors, and interdisciplinary staff. The position may involve evening, weekend, holiday, or rotating shifts. The work environment may include exposure to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, substance use disorders, or emotional distress. The ability to respond calmly, professionally, and compassionately in stressful situations is essential.

Community Medical Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is CMC’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of age, national origin, race (including hair texture and hairstyle), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors.