HOME HEALTH AIDE (HHA)

HOME HEALTH AIDE

OVERVIEW

The Home Health Aide (HHA) provides personal care and supportive services to clients in their homes in accordance with the client's plan of care, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or licensed clinician. The HHA helps promote client comfort, safety, independence, and overall-being.

POSITION STATUS

Employee or Independent Contractor (as applicable)

Scheduling will be determined on the needs of the client and the availability of the Home Health Aide.

Multiple locations in DFW and surrounding areas

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Home health aides are assigned to a specific patient by a registered nurse or other appropriate skilled professional, with written patient care instructions for a home health aide prepared by that registered nurse or other appropriate skilled professional (that is, physical therapist, speech-language pathologist, or occupational therapist).
• A home health aide provides services that are:
• Ordered by the physician or allowed practitioner;
• Included in the plan of care;
• Permitted to be performed under state law; and
• Consistent with the home health aide training.
• The duties of a home health aide include:
• The provision of hands-on personal care;
• The performance of simple procedures as an extension of therapy or nursing services;
• Assistance in ambulation or exercises; and
• Assistance in administering medications ordinarily self-administered.
• Home health aides must be members of the interdisciplinary team, must report changes in the client's condition to a registered nurse or other appropriate skilled professional, and must complete appropriate records in compliance with the Madea Home Care Services LLC policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

Medicare §484.80 Condition of participation: Home health aide services.

• A qualified home health aide is a person who has successfully completed:
• A training and competency evaluation program as specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) respectively of this section; or
• A competency evaluation program that meets the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section; or
• A nurse aide training and competency evaluation program approved by the state as meeting the requirements of 42 CFR Part 484§438.151 through §483.154 of this chapter, and is currently listed in good standing on the state nurse aide registry; or
• The requirements of a state licensure program that meets the provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
• A home health aide or nurse aide is not considered to have completed a program, as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, if, since the individual's most recent completion of the program(s), there has been a continuous period of 24 consecutive months during which none of the services furnished by the individual as described in 42 CFR Part 484§409.40 of this chapter were for compensation. If there has been a 24-month lapse in furnishing services for compensation, the individual must complete another program, as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, before providing services.

State of Texas 26 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §558.701. Home Health Aides.

• A home health aide may be used by an agency providing licensed home health services if the aide meets one the following requirements:
• a minimum of one year of full-time experience in direct client care in an institutional setting (hospital or nursing facility);
• one year of full-time experience within the last five years in direct client care in an agency setting;
• satisfactorily completed a training and competency evaluation program that complies with the requirements of this section;
• satisfactorily completed a competency evaluation program that complies with the requirements of this section;
• submitted to the agency documentation from the director of programs or the dean of a school of nursing that state that the individual is a nursing student who has demonstrated competency in providing basic nursing skills in accordance with the school's curriculum; or
• listed on the HHSC nurse aide registry (NAR) with no finding against the aide relating to the client abuse or neglect or misappropriation of client property.
• A home health aide must have provided home health services within the previous 24 months to qualify under subsection (a)(3) or (4) of this section.
• Assignment, delegation, and supervision of services provided by home health aides must be performed in accordance with rules in this chapter governing the agency's license category.

REQUIREMENTS

• 18 years of age or older.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Must pass a comprehensive background check, fingerprint screening, drug screening, Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) check and Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) check. Continued employment and contracting opportunities are contingent upon adherence to all required screening standards and full participation in periodic and random drug testing in accordance with Madea Home Care Services LLC policies and applicable state regulations.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver's license (preferred).
• Minimum one year experience with senior care, disability support, or home health care.
• Ability to lift 25-50 lbs. and perform physical caregiving duties.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Compassionate, client-centered approach.
• Strong communication skills.
• Dependability and professionalism.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to follow care plans and instructions.
• Respect for client confidentiality and rights.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work performed in clients' homes.
• Frequent standing, bending, lifting, and mobility support required.
• Exposure to various home environments.

TRAINING

Home health aide training must include classroom and supervised practical training in a practicum laboratory or other setting in which the trainee demonstrates knowledge while providing services to an individual under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, or a licensed practical nurse who is under the supervision of a registered nurse. Classroom and supervised practical training must total at least 75 hours.

A minimum of 16 hours of classroom training must precede a minimum of 16 hours of supervised practical training as part of the 75 hours.

All Home Health Aides must successfully complete all Medicare- and state-required training and competency standards which must include but are not limited to:

• Communication skills, including the ability to read, write, and verbally report clinical information to clients/patients, representatives, and caregivers, as well as to other HHA staff;
• Observation, reporting, and documentation of a client's/patient's status and the care or services furnished;
• Reading and recording temperature, pulse, and respiration;
• Basic infection control prevention and control procedures and instruction on universal precautions;
• Basic elements of body functioning and changes in the body function that must be reported to an aide's supervisor;
• Maintenance of a clean, safe, and healthy environment;
• Recognizing emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures and their application.
• The physical, emotional, and developmental needs of and ways to work with the populations served by the agency including the need for respect for the client/patient and his or her privacy and property;
• Appropriate techniques in performing personal hygiene and grooming that include:
• Bed bath;
• Sponge, tub, and shower bath;
• Hair shampooing in sink, tub, and bed;
• Nail and skin care;
• Oral hygiene;
• Toileting and elimination;
• Safe transfer techniques and ambulation;
• Normal range of motion and positioning;
• Adequate nutrition and fluid intake;
• Recognizing and reporting changes in skin conditions;
• Any other task the agency may choose to have the home health aide perform in accordance with 26 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §558.298 relating to Delegation of Nursing Tasks by Registered Professional Nurses to Unlicensed Personnel and Tasks Not Requiring Delegation);
• The rights of the elderly.

The HHA must maintain documentation that demonstrates that the requirements of this standard have been met.++

A home health aide must receive at least 12 hours of in-service training during each 12-month period. In-service training may occur while an aide is furnishing care to a patient.

• In-service training may be offered by an organization and must be supervised by a registered nurse.
• The HHA must maintain documentation that demonstrates the requirements of this standard have been met.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

Travel is an essential function of this role and will be required to fulfill job responsibilities.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee/contractor for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change any time with or without notice.

MISSION ALIGNMENT

At Madea Home Care Services LLC, Home Health Aides play a vital role in delivering compassionate, high-quality, client-centered home care. Everyone contributes to our mission of enhancing independence, safety, and dignity for the individuals we serve.