Home Health Aide (Sebastian)

Job Description Summary:

The Home Health Aide is a paraprofessional member of the home care team who performs home care visits to coverage (Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River County) and works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Therapist. The Home Health Aide also performs various personal care services as necessary to meet the patient’s needs. The Home Health Aide is responsible for observing patients, reporting these observations and documenting observations and care performed while performing the home care visit. The Home Health Aide will be assigned in a manner that promotes quality, continuity and safety of a patient’s care.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

Responsibilities of the Home Health Aide include, but are not limited to, the following: A. Providing personal care including:

• Baths
• Back rubs
• Oral hygiene
• Shampoos
• Changing bed linen
• Assisting patients with dressing, undressing and personal hygiene
• Skin care to prevent breakdown
• Assisting the patient with toileting activities
• Keeping patient’s living area clean and orderly, as appropriate
• May prepare a light meal during the visit.
• Assisting in feeding the patient, if necessary.
• Taking and recording oral, rectal and axillary temperatures, pulse, respiration and blood pressure when ordered (with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency).
• Assisting in ambulation and exercise according to the plan of care.
• Performing range of motion and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service as ordered (with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency).
• Assisting patient in the self-administration of medication.
• May do a load of patient’s laundry, as appropriate.
• Meeting safety needs of patients and using equipment safely and properly (foot stools, side rails, etc.).
• Reporting on patient’s condition and significant changes to the assigned nurse.
• Adhering to the Organization's documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct.
• Follow all privacy policies of US CareNet, Infection Control protocols and maintain the confidentiality of protected healthcare information (PHI).

Position Qualifications:

• Meets the 75 hour training requirement and competency in accordance with State and Federal laws (see Medicare Condition of Participation CFR 484.80*).
• A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) may be hired as a Home Health Aide but will be governed by the same essential job functions as the Home Health Aide.
• One (1) year of hands-on work experience is preferred. Can include experience in a home care, hospital or assisted living setting.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care given. 5. Self-directing with the ability to work with little direct supervision.
• Empathy for the needs of the ill, injured, frail and the impaired.
• Possess and maintains current CPR certification.
• Demonstrates tact, patience and good personal hygiene.

*Effective August 14, 1990, a person who has successfully completed a state established or other training program that meets the requirements of CFR 484.36(a) and a competency evalu ation program, or state licensure program that meets the requirements of CFR 484.36(b), or a competency evaluation program or state licensure program that meets the requirements of S 484.36(b).

Continuing Education Requirements: Organization personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, organization personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job related skills and abilities. All personnel must attend mandatory educational programs.

Environmental and Working Conditions:

Environmental Conditions: May be exposed to extremes of heat and cold in all weather conditions. Must drive in various weather conditions on roads in varying degrees of repair.

Working Conditions: May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases. Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances. May be exposed or occasionally exposed to patient elements. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations. Travel required. OSHA exposure category:

Category I — Position includes tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, tissues.

Required Personal Protective Equipment: As required by working conditions.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and / or other management personnel.