Home Health Aide

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Responsibilities Summary:

The Home Health Aide is a member of the home care team who works under the supervision of a registered nurse and performs various personal care services as necessary to meet the client's needs. The home health aide is responsible for observing clients, reporting these observations, and documenting observations and care performed.

The Home Health Aide will be assigned in a manner that promotes quality, continuity, and safety of a client's care.

Key Leadership, Management, and Accountabilities (LMA):

Provide client care as directed by the Director of Nursing or Registered Nurse Supervisor.

Values-based Competencies:

The Home Health Aide must consistently demonstrate and foster the following core values behaviors during all interactions with shareholders, clients, employees, vendors, and other business partners. Core values are the key behaviors that determine our decision-making.

Required behaviors:

• Approachable as a leader
• Promotes a fun environment
• Kind and genuine with others
• Manages pressure and stress in a positive way

• Provide help first
• Be confident, yet stay humble
• Serve for the greater good
• Make a real difference

• Honest
• Ethical
• Tell the truth

• Deliver results on time
• Finish what you start
• Be accountable to yourself and others
• Take responsibility

• Continuous improvement
• Exceed expectations
• Bring out the best in others
• Detail oriented

Core Competencies:

The Home Health Aide must demonstrate and execute the following position-specific competencies to ensure effective, profitable, and client-centered branch operations.

Required behaviors:

• "G" - Must demonstrate and have a "get-it" mentality; clearly understands his/her key accountabilities; confident as a subject matter expert in his/her job.
• "W" - Demonstrates a "want-it" attitude; accepts challenges; asks, "what can I do to help?" demonstrates a high level of drive and energy for his/her job and success of others.
• "C" - Demonstrates the capacity to perform desired job expectations; ability to grow and "stretch" in position as the needs of the business changes and evolves.

• "L" - Effectively leads through example his/her area of responsibility.
• "M" - Manages processes, procedures, and standards to achieve desired results.
• "A" - Holds himself/herself and others accountable for getting the job done and maximizing value to company, clients, and one another.

1. Provide client care as directed by the Director of Nursing or registered nurse supervisor.
2. Provide personal care:
   1. Bathing
   2. Grooming, including oral care
   3. Assist the client with dressing and undressing
   4. Assist the client with toileting activities
   5. Assist in feeding the client, if necessary
   6. Feed clients who are unable to feed themselves
   7. Take and record vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure)
   8. Measure and record height and weight, if necessary.
   9. Support good skin care to prevent skin breakdown (i.e. turn and reposition client, actively encourage movement)
   10. Assist client with active and passive range of motions as defined by the plan of care
   11. Provide client with help walking and transferring
   12. Observe client's physical, mental, and emotional conditions.
   13. Report any changes to the Director of Nursing or supervisor
   14. Document observed changes
   15. Measure and document intake and output, if necessary
   16. Assist client in the self-administration of medication (medication reminder)
   17. Perform light housekeeping
   18. Perform meal preparation and clean up
   19. Change bed linens and make up the client's bed
   20. Maintain an orderly client environment
3. Follow principles of infection control and Universal Precautions
4. Identifies and participates in performance improvement activities
5. Provide transport to doctor appointments, outside activities, and shopping

Qualifications:

1. High school diploma

2. Successful completion of a home health aide program

3. Minimum of one year of documented experience (unless participating in approved Mentor Program)

4. Certified in CPR

5. Current physical or T.B./PPD test, if applicable

6. Licensed driver with reliable transportation that is insured in accordance with the organization's requirements

7. Self-directing with the ability to work with little direct supervision

8. Empathy for the needs of the client

9. Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English and communicate effectively

10. Treats clients, staff, and the public with courtesy, respect and presents a positive public image

11. Works as a team member

12. Ensures confidentiality and security of the client's medical information

Job Limitations:

The home health aide will not function in any manner viewed as the practice of nursing according to the State's Nurse Practice Act. Specifically, the home health aide will not administer medications, take physician's orders, or perform procedures requiring the training, knowledge, and skill of a licensed nurse.

Working Conditions:

Contact with client in their living environment. May be required to respond in an emergency situation. Travel required. Position includes tasks that have the potential for exposure to blood and other potentially infectious material (OPIM) such as body fluids/tissues.

Personal Protective Equip:

May include gloves, mask, eye protection, CPR shield, and disposable outer covering.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to stand, walk, squat, bend, kneel, reach, twist, push, and pull. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Travel Requirements:

• Limited travel as needed for various staff and client care service needs.

• Up to 10% or as directed based on the needs of the business and attending job-required training and conferences.