Home Care Aide

OBJECTIVE :

To assist residents in a personal care environment with various daily functions and provide routine care in accordance with our established policies and procedures, and as many be directed by the Administrator to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

1. Provide hands on assistance to residents, such as bathing, showering, dressing, grooming (includes nail care, oral hygiene, personal hygiene), ambulation, transferring, bed making, minor treatments, incontinency care, as assigned.

2. Responsible to complete assigned cleaning duties to common areas.

3. May assist residents in daily living activities, distributing newspapers, writing letters, and placing phone calls.

4. Perform all duties as assigned.

5. Assist in preparing residents for meals as needed. (Cleaning resident’s hands, face, clothing, etc.)

6. Assist residents with menu selections.

7. Assist residents to dress neatly, and in their own clothing.

8. Comb and brush resident’s hair daily as needed. Shampoo as needed.

9. Assist residents to walk with or without self-help devices as necessary.

10. Assist residents into chairs, beds, bathroom, showers, etc.

11. Wash walkers, wheelchairs, etc. as directed.

12. Shave male residents daily, or as instructed.

13. Keep hair under arms, legs, and face on female residents clean shaven as necessary or instructed.

14. Assist residents to/from bathroom as needed.

15. Keep incontinent residents clean and dry as possible at all times. Change bed linens and clothing as often as necessary. Apply incontinence products correctly.

16. Answer resident calls promptly.

17. Assist residents with dental and mouth care.

18. Collect specimens, stools, sputum, etc. as directed.

19. Report all complaints to the RN Supervisor.

20. Report any medication found in the resident’s room. Take to the RN Supervisor.

21. Assist with resident move-ins, transfers or move-outs. Assist in arranging transportation, packing, etc., as necessary.

22. Assure that resident is escorted to the entrance for transport.

23. Responsible for the collecting, washing, drying, folding, and returning of resident’s personal laundry, as assigned.

24. Responsible to unlock and lock all exit doors at appropriate times each day per policy.

25. Assist with the set-up, leadership and tear down of activity programs.

PRODUCTIVITY AND INITIATIVE:

1. Report on and off duty.

2. Create and maintain and atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility.

3. Other related duties as may become necessary or as directed by the RN Supervisor or Administrator.

KNOWLEDGE OF WORK:

1. Receive assignments and check your resident schedule.

2. Perform all assigned duties in accordance with our established policies and procedures, nursing care procedures, and our safety rules and regulations.

3. Report any resident abuse immediately, (harsh/abuse language, unnecessary roughness, etc.).

4. Attend and participate in in-service educational programs, on-the-job training programs, etc. as directed.

5. Follow infection control procedures, as established by this facility, when isolation precautions are necessary.

6. Answer telephone inquires as outlined in our established policies and procedures.

7. Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent resident care information to assure resident rights are protected.

8. Report all accident/incidents, regardless of how minor, to the RN Supervisor as soon as possible.

COOPERATION :

1. Assist others as needed to maintain quality resident care.

2. Ensure that resident’s rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage a complaint, are followed at all times.

SAFETY/HOUSEKEEPING:

1. Keep floors dry and free of unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc., to prevent accidents.

2. Do not permit residents to smoke in apartments.

3. Assure that established smoking regulations are followed by staff, visitors, residents and the general public. Report violations to RN Supervisor or Administrator.

4. Keep residents personal articles off floor and properly stored.

5. Keep supply room and work areas clean at all times.

6. Wash hands before and after caring for each resident and at other appropriate times to maintain infection control.

7. Watch for and report any change in room temperature, ventilation, lighting, etc.

8. Report all hazardous conditions and equipment to the RN Supervisor immediately.

9. Check for food in resident’s room. Discard as outlined within our nursing care procedures.

10. Assure that work/assigned areas are cleaned and equipment, tools, supplies, etc., are properly stored before leaving such areas on break, end of workday, etc.

ATTENDANCE/PUNCTUALITY:

1. Report on and off duty at break times and meal times.

2. Report for duty on all scheduled days.

3. Must arrive on time.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Works in well-lighted/ventilated work areas, as well as throughout the nursing service areas.

2. Sitting, standing, bending, lifting and moving intermittently during working hours.

3. Subject to frequent interruptions.

4. Involved with residents, family members, personnel, visitors, etc. under all conditions/circumstances.

5. Subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.

6. Communicates with nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.

7. Willingness to work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

8. Attend and participate in continuing educational programs as directed.

9. Subject to falls, burns from equipment, infectious diseases, substances, odors, etc., throughout the work day.

10. Be economical and careful with supplies, equipment, etc.

11. Follow all of our established policies and procedures, to include nursing care procedures, safety regulations, personnel policies, etc., to assure that quality resident care can be maintained.

QUALIFICATIONS :

1. Education: Must possess, as a minimum, a 10th grade education.

2. Experience: None required. On-the-job training provided.

3. Specific requirements:

A. Must possess a sincere desire to serve the ill, aged and infirmed.

B. Must be able to read, write and speak the English language.

C. Possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstance warrants such action.

D. Possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, and general public.

E. Be a minimum of 18 years of age.

F. Willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.

G. Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.

H. Possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

I. Must be willing to accomplish tasks in a manner that is consistent with the mission, philosophy and personnel policies outlined by the management of the Suites of Rouse.

J. Must adhere to dress code requirements.

K. Must be comfortable with geriatrics and comfortable in assisting them with personal care needs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

A. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.

B. Must be able to speak the English language in an understandable manner.

C. Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress of the position.

D. Must possess sight/hearing senses, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

E. Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.

F. Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

G. Must be able to relate to work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.

H. May be required to lift residents, medical equipment, supplies, etc.