1. Enhancing the Journey with Resident Assistants
IPC Summit Enhancing the Journey with RA
Enhancing the Journey with Resident Assistants
IPC Summit 2018
Monica Plymale, LNHA
Joyce Steber, BSN, RN
JSteber.03/2018

2. Experience the Assist with Dining!!!
IPC Summit Enhancing the Journey with RA
Experience the Assist with Dining!!!
Icebreaker – Assist a new friend with snack time.
JSteber.03/2018
JSteber.03/2018

3. Objectives Describe Explore Explain
Describe the benefits of having team members trained as Resident Assistants.
Describe
Explore how to use Resident Assistants in your community.
Explore
Explain the process of obtaining the Resident Assistant training for the community's staff.
Explain
JSteber.03/2018

4. What is a RESIDENT ASSISTANT?
IPC Summit Enhancing the Journey with RA
What is a RESIDENT ASSISTANT?
IL Adm Code 77, Section   Resident Attendants
A "resident attendant" is an individual who assists residents in a facility with the following activities:
1)   eating and drinking; and
2)   personal hygiene limited to
a) washing a resident's hands and face,
b) brushing and combing a resident's hair,
c) oral hygiene,
d) shaving residents with an electric razor, and
e) applying makeup. 
Details what IDPH determines that RA can do.
JSteber.03/2018
JSteber.03/2018

5. What a RESIDENT ASSISTANT is not?
1) A licensed health professional or a registered dietitian;
2) Someone who volunteers without monetary compensation;
3) A nursing assistant; or
4) Someone who performs any nursing or nursing-related services for residents of a facility.
JSteber.03/2018

6. Requirements – Community Administration
Shall:
Develop and implement policies and procedures detailing the duties of resident attendants
Document the duties in a written job description
Maintain documentation of training and competency
Ensure supervision of RA by nurse
Shall NOT:
Count the RA in the minimum staffing requirements
JSteber.03/2018

7. Responsibilities – Licensed Nursing Staff
IPC Summit Enhancing the Journey with RA
Responsibilities – Licensed Nursing Staff
Supervise RA
Receive report from RA
Evaluate residents to determine if appropriate
Level of care
Functional status
Dining
Hydration personal hygiene
Ability to cooperate and communicate
JSteber.03/2018
JSteber.03/2018

8. IPC Summit 2018 -- Enhancing the Journey with RA
Role of CNA
Provides guidance – not supervision
Answers questions
Team work
JSteber.03/2018
JSteber.03/2018

9. Requirements -- RA Resident Assistant shall:
Be at least 16 years of age
Be able to speak and understand the English language or a language understood by a substantial percentage of the facility's residents
Health Care Worker Background Check
Have completed a Department-approved RA Training Program
Deemed competent – performed hands-on return demonstration
JSteber.03/2018

10. IPC Summit 2018 -- Enhancing the Journey with RA
Are
YOU
this
person?
Who is this person????
Who is this person???
JSteber.03/2018
JSteber.03/2018

11. What care can be provided by RA?
IPC Summit Enhancing the Journey with RA
What care can be provided by RA?
Assisting with Dining
Hydration
Personal Hygiene
Washing a resident’s hands and face
Brushing and combing a resident’s hair
Oral hygiene
Brushing teeth
Denture care
Shaving residents with electric razor
Applying makeup
This is the ONLY care they can provide. Perhaps your policy says NO to denture care.
Policy determines what care can be provided in your home.
JSteber.03/2018
JSteber.03/2018

12. HOW?? Department-approved RA Training Program
Facility-based
Independent
Taught by nurse and/or dietitian
18 hours minimum
Allocated hours in specific content areas and topics
Feeding – 5 hours
Hydration – 3 hours
Personal Hygiene – 5 hours
Safety & Resident Rights – 5 hours
Required competency checks with hands-on return demonstrations
JSteber.03/2018

13. Benefits Resident RA Other staff Home Quality of Care Quality of Life
JSteber.03/2018

14. How does this work in the “REAL” world???

15. Class: Choosing the staff/Buy In Class schedule/Flexible/OT
Space availability/Supplies
Resident Participation
Graduation/Ceremony/Recognition

16. Struggles: Clearly define expectations/responsibilities
Clinical buy in/All staff buy in
Resident education/Resident Council?
Family education/Family Council? – Letter?
Planning additional classes
Back up attendees

17. Benefits: Resident quality of care Resident/Family response
Staff participation – Overwhelming response
Staff challenged – Weekends/PM shift
Resident Supervision – 1:1
Clinical appreciation
IDPH – First visit/Education

18. Machael’s Experience:

19. REAL WORLD
JSteber.03/2018