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Staffing patterns to change at Good Sam, PR [UPDATED]
Published 10:07am Monday, January 23, 2012 Updated 12:08pm Monday, January 23, 2012The conversion of Good Samaritan Society of Pelican Rapids to assisted living, as of March 14, will also result in big changes for current staff.
“We will have over 20 positions, which the current employees have had the opportunity to look at and apply for,” said Administrator Maren Gemar. “These positions will be filled in the beginning of February, so staff will know their position and be able to make decisions accordingly.”
Gemar said that, whatever their decision, Good Sam’s administration is encouraging staff to stay on until the March 13 conversion date. The new center name will be Good Samaritan Society – Pelican Rapids Senior Living.
“We as a facility have done various things to assist staff members with their options,” said Gemar. “These include other Good Samaritan center positions, education from the Workforce Center, information on employee assistance, severance, benefits, etc.”
Gemar praised the Good Samaritan Society staff for acting with high integrity and continued commitment to care for residents during this time of transition.
“I’m proud of them,” said Gemar.
As a provider of assisted living services, the center will shift to a residential model that will have on-site professional nursing staff offered on a more limited basis 24 hours a day. The primary caregiving duties will be performed by workers who, in addition to performing some nursing assistant tasks, also will assist with activities, meal service and other duties.
Residents who medically qualify for assisted living care don’t always require the level of healthcare provided in a skilled nursing facility. Not all current skilled nursing residents at Good Sam will be able to qualify to live in an assisted living setting.
Staff members will meet with residents individually who are interested in the assisted living program. An assessment will need to be completed on each potential resident to determine whether that person’s needs can be met in the new setting.
If it’s determined that a resident’s needs cannot be met in assisted living, the Good Sam resident will need to relocate to another care setting. Staff members will assist the resident and family with this transition.
