This document provides guidelines for evaluating candidates for care assistant positions in specialty care units for dementia. It includes tips for evaluating candidates based on job criteria and weighting responses to interview questions. The document also provides sample interview questions to assess qualifications, efficiencies in areas like communication, dealing with others, organizing work, and operating equipment, as well as reliability. Questions are scored on a scale and address topics like physical ability, experience with dementia patients, communication techniques, self-care strategies, and approaches to difficult situations. The guidelines aim to help select candidates best suited to the care of dementia patients through a standardized interview and evaluation process.

1. Vancouver Coast Health
Selection Plan Spreadsheet (SPS) – Weighting / Rationale
For SCU & SCU Plus
Guidelines for Candidate Evaluation
Tips for evaluating candidate responses:
• Evaluate each candidate based on the job criteria – not one another.
• Weight the candidate’s response to the interview questions.
• Performance Appraisal information may be used as a tool to weigh a
candidate’s efficiencies. However, if an appraisal is not on file, the
candidate’s performance must be deemed satisfactory (performance
appraisals should not be the sole determinant of efficiency).
• Verbal reference may be used to rate candidate’s efficiencies – obtained
from current supervisors or pervious employers. If you reference one
candidate, you must reference all candidates.
• Employee File – past disciplinary records are relevant to the calculation of
candidates weighting (discuss with your HR Advisor).
Tips for documenting the interview information:
• Document your observations of the candidate during the interview.
• Your documentation (interview questions and notes / observations) may
be used during selection arbitration, therefore must support your selection
decision.
Reference
SPS Weighting rationale developed by Dorrie Fiester, F.H. Czorny Site. September 15.

2. Job Title & Classification: Department: Residential Care
Qualifications
Completion of RCA course that meets BC Provincial Core
Competencies
T33
Minimum educational requirement to understand
and perform job functions, Grade 10.
Recognized Resident Care Attendant Program.
Two years recent related experience or an
equivalent combination of education, training
and experience. SCU practicum.
Food Safe Certificate – Level 1.
Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position. T33 Must be physically capable of performing all
duties associated with the position.
Initiative 33 Completion of any dementia training or courses
e.g. Gentle Care Completion of acute care skills
certificate.
Other continuing education, such as completion
of UFIRST (available on line).
Total number of practicum hours
Total /100 Must have 66% to proceed.
Efficiency
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. 25 Must complete English competency tool (attached).
Ability to deal effectively with others. 25
Ability to organize workload. 25
Ability to operate related equipment. 12.5
Reliability (includes attendance). 12.5
Total /100
Seniority
Total /100 Not applicable to external candidate.
TOTAL /300 Total out of 200 for external candidate.
Additional Information: T = Threshold, candidate must have in order to be granted an
interview.
Job Summary: Reporting to the Manager / delegate as a member of the inter-disciplinary team,
carries out and provides feedback on a variety of established care programs for residents with
middle to late stage dementia, and the resident with socially compromising behaviour, in a home-
like environment where family and volunteer involvement is encouraged. Enhances the quality of
life of each resident by encouraging participation and independence, within their abilities, in
activities of daily living, e.g. physical needs, leisure activities, light housekeeping, personal
laundry and some food preparation.
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 2

3. Multiple Candidates Scoring Grid
Weight Candidates Rating
Qualifications: A B C D E
Completion of recognized
RCA course.
Physical ability to carry out
the duties of the position.
Initiative.
Total 100/100 /100 /100 /100 /100 /100
Efficiency: A B C D E
Ability to communicate
effectively verbally and in
writing.
Ability to deal effectively with
others.
Ability to organize workload.
Ability to operate related
equipment.
Reliability.
/100 /100 /100 /100 /100
Seniority Total 100/100 /100 /100 /100 /100 /100
Total 300/300 /300 /300 /300 /300 /300
References:
Weight
Poor (not hired) 0
Fair 5
Good 10
Excellent 15
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 3

4. Interview Questions
Candidate Name: Interviewed by:
Posting Number: Date and Time:
ORIENTATION TO PROCESS:
• Introduction to interviewer.
• The position we are interviewing for is:
• You will be evaluated on your response to the questions.
• Notes will be written during the interview.
Introduction: warm up questions / ice breaker
No Weight
1. Tell us about why you are applying for this position.
2. How have you prepared for this interview?
3. What do you think of the role of a RCA in the SCU / SCU+ care setting should be?
Qualification/s:
Physically capable to carry out the duties of the position.
Weight: T33
This position has many physical requirements such as; lifting, pulling, pushing, bending and
reaching.
4. Are you able to complete the full responsibilities of the position?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 4

5. 5. Describe two specific measures you have taken to avoid or reduce your risk for injury while
giving care.
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Transfer belts
o Ask for help
o Stay in my bubble (body mechanics principles)
Qualification/s:
Initiative Weight T33
6. Please describe your past clinical experience. How has this experience prepared you for a
position as a care assistant in a specialty care setting for dementia / S.C.B (socially
compromising behaviour)? How many hours of practicum did you have? How many were
in a SCU?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Response:
o Worked with individuals with dementia
7. Describe three ways or techniques that you use for approaching or building relationships
with a person who has dementia / S.C.B. (socially compromising behaviour).
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Tone of voice
o Facial expression
o Eye contact
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 5

6. 8. Please describe any other continuing education courses you have taken within the last two
years.
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o College Conferences
o Dementia Care Courses
o Acute Care Skills Course
o UFIRST
o Pieces
o Partners in Care
o Rehab
o Other Education
Efficiency:
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Weight: 25
9. Complete written tool.
a. English competency
b. Correct spelling
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 6

7. 9. Question 1 – In a paragraph, explain why you want to work in the SCU, SCU+.
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 7

8. 10. When you give your report to the RN at the end of your shift, what type of information
would you provide? What type of information would you report immediately during the
shift? How do you ensure that your concerns have been addressed?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses
End of Shift
o Communications with family
o Updates of ongoing issues
o Amount of intake
o Concerns re: bowels / change in behaviours
Immediately
o Pain
o Injury
o Choking
o Skin breakdown
o Symptoms and signs of delirium, e.g., UTI
11. You are very busy and a family member stops you in the hallway complaining loudly that
his mother is not getting enough to eat. How would you respond?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Stop, listen respectfully
o Ask for more information
o Offer to help e.g., get food
o Promise to involve RN & team, e.g., Dietitian
12. Tell me a specific response / approach you would use with a resident who says to you “I
want to go home, will you help me?”
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Acknowledge underlying feeling
o Tell me about home
o Diversionary activities e.g., reminiscing, photo albums, call family
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 8

9. 13. What technique / approach would you use with a resident who was resisting your efforts to
help him/her get washed and dressed? Resident has Alzheimer’s disease.
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses
o Slow down – change pace
o Leave and try later
o Try different staff
o Break down steps and develop a new plan
o Likes and dislikes
o Personal history
o Knowledge of daily routines
o Respect individual’s choice
14. What types of written forms have you been required to complete in your previous
positions? Do you have any difficulty understanding and completing these forms?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses
o Bowel form
o ADL
o Incident report
o Hazard & near misses
Efficiency:
Ability to deal effective with others.
Weight 25
15A. If I was to ask one of your co-workers what your strengths were on the team, what would
they tell me?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Cooperative team player
o Enthusiastic
o Caring Flexible
o Calm
o Resident Centered
o Respectful
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 9

10. o Other strengths
15B. What would you say are your strengths?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Lifelong learner
o Approachable
o Ability to de-escalate
o Common sense
16A. Describe a difficult situation you’ve had with another staff member in the work setting.
How did you deal with it? What was the outcome? Would you do anything different if the situation
occurred again?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Open to discussion
o Respectful communication
o Seeking assistance, if needed
o Learning / insight
16B. Describe a difficult situation you’ve had with family. How did you deal with it? What was
the outcome? Would you do anything different if the situation occurred again?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o A
o B
o C
o Referral to external supports
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 10

11. 17. You enter a resident’s room and see that a co-worker is speaking in a very loud and angry
tone to a resident. What would you do?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Offer to help = diffuse
o Follow-up with the co-worker
o Talk privately with the team leader
o Take care challenges to team
o Model appropriate behaviour.
18. Many residents feel lonely and bored. Tell me some strategies you would use to help a
resident feel less lonely and bored?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Know the resident and their strengths and interests
o Engage the resident in conversation
o Schedule activities
o Involve in activity
o Reminiscing
o Report to Team the need for F.P.
19. You are working in the dining room and one of the residents tells another resident in a very
loud voice “you can’t sit here, go away – go away”. What would you do?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Efficiency:
Ability to organize workload.
Weight: 25
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 11

12. 20. We try to create a homelike atmosphere through individualizing care. Give me four
examples of how you provide person-centered / individualized care.
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Know their story
o Whole person
o Adjust my style
o Offer choices
o Encourage independence
21. Bathing can be difficult for some residents. Give me five ways you make bathing a
pleasant and comfortable experience for the resident?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Privacy
o Warm
o Gentle
o Involve family
o Quiet environment
o Spa therapy
o Know past bathing routine
o Warm towel
22. One of your residents always tries to leave the unit at shift change. What would you do to
change or assist this resident at this time?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Involve in activity at shift change
o Try and reduce shift change noise
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 12

13. o Stagger leaving
o Quiet change over
o Don’t put coat on
23. What measurers do you take to maintain and promote healthy skin? Give me four
examples.
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Positioning
o Washing thoroughly
o Check skin folds
o Dry carefully
24. An understanding of delirium, dementia and depression is important in a residential
geriatric care setting. Explain the difference between these conditions.
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
Delirium
o Sudden onset
o Caused by meds, infection, constipation, pain
o Day / night reversal
o Can’t focus
Dementia
o Progressive decline
o Changes in memory, orientation, language and personality
Depression
o Decline in memory
o Changes in SAMTEC
o Changes for two weeks or more
Efficiency: Weight: 12.5
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 13

14. Ability to operate related equipment.
25. Please describe the RCA’s role in maintaining resident’s ability to mobilize independently
and safely. What equipment can be used for mobilization?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Encourage independence
o Provide opportunity for assisted walking
o Proper shoes
o Pedal wheelchair without footrests
o Glasses / hearing aides
26. Demonstrate how you transfer an individual from a dining room chair to a wheel chair?
What safety measurers would you use to prevent injury to the resident and yourself?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
Transfer belt
Talking person through the process
Brakes on chair
Pivot
Knowledge of mobility assessment
27. Describe the types of equipment you have used for transferring non-weight bearing
residents. What precautions does that equipment require?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
Non-Weight Bearing Equipment
o Golvo Maxi
o Medi Man
o Arjo Maxi
o Ceiling lifts
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 14

15. Precautions
o Checking slings for tears or flaws
o Inspecting and reporting equipment repair needs
o Cleaning equipment with appropriate cleaner following each use
o Brakes
Efficiency:
Reliability (include attendance ) & Dependability Weight 12.5
28. If I talked with your current manager, how would they rate your attendance? What do you
do to maintain personal wellness?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
29. While at the grocery store, you meet someone who knows one of the residents and has
heard she fell and fractured her hip. How do you respond to the question she is asking?
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Response:
o Do not discuss confidential matters; tell that person that you cannot discuss any queries
they have about the resident.
30. Tell me what you would do if you were unsure about a direction you were given or did not
know how to do something e.g., use equipment.
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5
Appropriate Responses:
o Re-clarify direction
o “Show me”
o Ask for assistance
Seniority: Weight: 100
Questions from the candidate:
SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 15

16. SCU/SCU+/CBRU Staff Hiring Guidelines 16