POSITION SUMMARY

The Companion provides fellowship and companionship to clients of Meadowlark Hills. The Companion also provides support and assists with daily duties that do not require hands on care, enabling clients to sustain independent living. The Companion serves as an intermediary between the client and any certified/licensed Meadowlark Hills team member. Companions help with a variety of daily tasks such as, meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, shopping, running errands, and accompanying a client to and from an event or appointment via Meadowlark Hills or personal transportation. The Companion maintains a professional work relationship with clients and family members, as well as ensures confidentiality regarding client care needs, only discussing pertinent information with team members on a need to know basis.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Works with team members to ensure that the safety, needs, and desires of all clients are met.

• Provides professional support along with friendly, caring, companionship for clients/guests.
• Assists with daily activities. Companions do not provide personal care to any client unless pertinent certifications are held and a care plan calls for such care.

• Performs tasks or duties such as: light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, shopping, running errands, etc. Tasks are completed as needed to assist the client in daily activities to maintain client independence in being self-sufficient.
• Provides personal companionship by accompanying client to and from appointments, events, shopping, therapy, exercise class, etc., as needed.
• Provides friendship and kindness by reading, talking, walking, sitting, watching TV, etc, with client.
• Uses confidentiality and proper chain of command when passing along information or concerns of the client, while communicating changes regarding clients to the proper team leaders.
• Perform clerical functions such as typing, filing, and document management on a regular basis.
• Personally responsible and held accountable for following Meadowlark Hills’ mission and values while maintaining and living out our philosophy of person centered care.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports other team members in meeting all job requirements, actively participates in being a learning and teaching organization. Willingness to continue to learn and seek improvement.
• Attends in-service training programs.
• Responsible for staying abreast of current laws, regulations, policies, procedures and best practices and adapting to company and industry changes.
• Responsible for performing other duties as assigned.

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employee is required to follow any other instructions and perform other assigned duties.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements below are representative of the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions/responsibilities.

Experience:  A Companion is expected to have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the job satisfactorily in accordance with current standards, guidelines and regulations of Meadowlark Hills.

Education:  High School Diploma or GED preferred.

Personal Skills: Companions must be accurate, detailed, and dependable. Companions must also have the ability to help make safe decisions regarding client care, housekeeping, and meal preparation. Strong interpersonal relationship, team building, conflict resolution, problem solving, dementia sensitivity, and communication skills are required. The ability to prioritize and adjust to changing situations is a must.  

Supervision:  This position has no direct supervision of other Meadowlark Hills team members.

Financial Accountability: Responsible for making optimal use of all resources including time, while respecting clients’ and Meadowlark Hill’s property.

Personal Relations: Honors all client and family preferences through support, friendship, kindness, sincerity, communication and relationship building.  A Companion works closely with all members of the household team, team leaders, and home health emergency services.

Working Environment:  As a Companion one may be in close contact with individuals who have infectious diseases. Being in close contact with toxic, harmful, or potentially hazardous compounds, solutions, and medications is also a possibility. Companions often are exposed to loud noises, and some unhygienic conditions and cleaning supplies. A Companion must observe rigid, standardized guidelines to guard against disease and other dangers, wearing protective equipment when required. A Companion must also work closely with clients, guests, and family in emotionally charged environments. Companions primarily work in a climate control setting.

Physical Demands:  Companions spend long periods of time assisting clients, so the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, reach, stretch, and lift a minimum of 50 lbs is required. Must use universal precautions in all situations. Must be able to operate office equipment (phone, computer, printer, copier, fax machine, etc), and various equipment and mobility devices (wheelchair, walker, gait belt, mechanical lift, etc) used by/for clients. These operations must be performed with normal visual range, acuity, color determination, and the ability to distinguish letters and numbers. Good oral communication skills, the ability to speak clearly, and the ability to listen attentively with appropriate hearing acuity is required.

Work Hours:  Clients and guests require 24-hour a day care; so the ability to work nights, weekends and holidays may be required.  Primary work hours are dependent upon the shift(s) needed for full-time and part-time positions.  Prefer no more than 40 hours per week. Hours may vary depending upon client(s) needs.  Adjustments to the schedule are made to accommodate these demands when necessary.

Employment Application

If you are interested in working at Meadowlark Hills, please fill out our online application. Submit your cover letter and resume to: hrteam@meadowlark.org