Home Health Aide

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Requires a high school diploma or equivalency, successful completion of an approved training and competency evaluation program, current listing with the Division of Facility Services Registry, as an NA-I without substantiated findings, and one year of patient care and record keeping experience in an acute care or custodial setting. Must have documented proof at least 75 certified education hours. Applicants with less than one year of experience will be considered on an individual basis with the approval of the Administrator. 

INTRACOMPANY CONTACTS 

Branch staff as necessary. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

Must be able to independently organize work and provide effective health care services to patients through appropriate patient care, and document said care thoroughly, accurately, and completely on a timely basis. Must accept travel and working conditions as assigned. Must possess a working knowledge of the principles of safe and appropriate personal care and practice of company policies and procedures, to include effective communication skills (oral and written) and CPR certification. Must be able to use a personal computer and have a working knowledge of computer applications such as Word or Microsoft Outlook email. Minimum of 12 hours of continuing education required in a twelve month knowledge of the principles of safe and appropriate personal care and practice of company policies and procedures, to include effective communication skills (oral and written) and CPR certification. Must be able to use a personal computer and have a working knowledge of computer applications such as Word or Microsoft Outlook email. period. Must have a valid driver's license. Minimum of 12 hours of continuing education required in a twelve month period.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 

Patient care -80%, Travel - 15%, Office - 5%. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to walk up and down stairs within patient residences. Potential for exposure to blood and body fluids, sharps and infectious diseases. May be exposed to dangerous animals and traffic hazards while home visiting. May encounter patients and other situations that present a potential threat to personal safety. May encounter temperature change and weather extremes. Must be able to stoop or kneel, bend, lift up to 50 lbs., push, reach with hands/arms and smell when providing patient care. Must be able to use hands to write or type. Must be able to operate and move from a motor vehicle to a patient's residence with supplies and/or equipment.  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

1. Provide direct patient care and coordinate services. 
2. Complete appropriate documentation as required. 

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Provide direct patient care and coordinate services. 
2. Provide/assist patients with personal care needs, to include but not included to bath, transfer and ambulation, and care of the mouth, skin, and hair as assigned by the Registered Nurse. Reinforce principles of care to patient/family. 
3. Provide patient care treatments and tasks as assigned by the Registered Nurse, as appropriate under the Nurse Practice act and as ordered by the physician. (Refer to Home Health Aide Skills Checklist). 
4. Assist patients in therapy treatments classified as non-skilled as assigned by the Physical Therapist, ordered by the physician, and appropriate under the PT Practice Act. 
5. Perform incidental household services within the patient's immediate environment that are necessary to prevent or postpone institutionalization, including laundering necessary to the comfort and cleanliness of the patient; ensuring nutritional needs of the patient are met; washing utensils used in the course of the visit; and light housekeeping. (May include changing bed linens, light cleaning and rearrangement of equipment and supplies to accommodate patient needs.) 
6. Meet company care standard and actively participate in developing a caseload. 
7. Responsible for making visits on assigned patients from Monday at 8:00 a.m. through Friday at 5:00 p.m. and after hours and/or weekends/holidays as assigned. 
8. Follow the aide care plan appropriate to the patient's needs and condition as developed and assigned by the Registered Nurse or Licensed Therapist. 
   
9. Schedule homecare services through coordination with the Registered Nurse/Licensed Therapist, Clinical Manager, and other agency personnel to optimize patient care, as well as, with the patient, family and community agencies. 
10. Update the Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Therapist on the patient's condition and/or patient/family situations affecting care and report changes in the patient's condition immediately. 
11. Plan the weekly patient schedule based on the visit frequency ordered and in the best interest of the patient. Notify patients of any schedule changes. 
12. Attend and participate in the patient care conferences, meetings and quality review as scheduled by the agency. Must read the minutes of patient care conferences not attended. 
13. Communicate with patients regarding physician appointments, etc., to reduce "missed visits".
14. Communicate with the weekend/holiday Home Health Aides to ensure continuity of patient care through weekends and holidays.
15. Complete appropriate documentation as required.
16. Complete documentation of patient care and company required records on a timely basis. 
17. Document coordination of care as necessary.