Community Living Assistant

Supporting People with Health Care Needs, Medication Administration and Medical Appointments

EBI supports many people who have physical disabilities and need assistance with such things as getting out of a bed and into a wheelchair, getting out of a wheelchair and onto a toilet, or getting out of a wheelchair and into a bathtub.

In many situations you will have equipment to assist you in supporting these individuals. If you support people with these types of needs, it will be important that you are able to lift 50 pounds or more.

Some individuals may also need assistance with all of their self-care needs, including help in changing adult disposable diapers (Depends). It is important that you maintain the privacy and dignity of the people you support when you are providing this type of support.

Depending on the needs of the people that you support, Community Living Assistants may be expected to take a course in medication administration (to learn how to give injections, for example), first aid, and CPR. Once trained, you may give prescribed medications to people.

You will also be responsible for monitoring the general health and safety of all the people whom you support. On occasion, you might be asked to take a person to a medical or dental appointment. It is extremely important that people do not miss these appointments, so you must be on time (usually 10-15 minutes before a scheduled appointment). For each appointment, you will need to be prepared to speak with medical professionals by reviewing the person’s medical notes and other information before the appointment, and writing follow-up notes after the appointment.

BEING AWARE...

One night June, a Community Living Assistant, notices that the dosage of one of Peter’s medications has been changed, but she does not see the EBI paperwork that is required when medication changes.

June is worried about giving him the medication without consulting someone to confirm the dosage amount. She calls the emergency pager number to speak with a supervisor at EBI and let them know of the situation.

The supervisor tells June to hold off giving the medication until she makes some phone calls and calls back. While June waits, she gives Peter his nightly bath and helps him get ready for bed.

The supervisor then calls her back, stating that there is no record of his medication being changed and to give the original dosage. The supervisor states that she will follow up with the appropriate people the next day to make sure that the dosage is correct and that the paperwork is in order.

Documentation is important in communication between Community Living Assistants and other people in the person’s life.

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