Job Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION – HOME HEALTH AIDE /DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

REPORTS TO: Director of Nursing

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY: the home health aide is responsible for providing direct care to home care clients

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Reads and follows established plan of care which may include:
    • Communication skills and barriers
    • Observation, reporting and documentation of patient status, and care or service furnished
    • Reading and recording of temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure
    • Basic infection control procedures
    • Basic elements of body functioning, changes in body function, injuries and other changes that must be reported to clinician
    • Maintenance of a clean, safe and healthy environment
    • Recognized emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures
    • The physical, emotional, cognitive and developmental needs of and ways to work with the populations served, including the need for confidentiality and respect for the patient, his or her privacy and property
    • Commonly used health technology equipment and assistive devices
  2. Demonstrate appropriate and safe techniques in personal hygiene and grooming that include:
    • Bathing
    • Hair care/shampoo
    • Nail and skin care
    • Oral hygiene: teeth, gums and oral prosthetic
    • Hearing aids
    • Toileting and elimination
    • Safe transfer techniques and ambulation
    • Normal range of motion and positioning
    • Adequate nutrition and fluid intake, including assistance with eating
    • Assistance with dressing and undressing
  3. Perform additional delegated tasks, including medication administration upon completion of instruction and return demonstration.
  4. Prepare meals, including modified diets and food safety guidelines.
  5. Complete household chores.
  6. Is aware of and uses good safety practices, including but not limited to:
    • Body mechanics
    • Falls prevention
    • Reporting of defective equipment or hazards
    • Wiping spills or wet floors immediately
    • Using Universal Precautions and appropriate infection control measures
    • Knowledge of emergency procedures
    • Reporting incidents/accidents to the Administrator or Director of Nursing on the day of occurrence
  7. Participates in care conferences with other members of the health care team.
  8. Maintains absolute confidentiality of all information pertaining to clients, families and employees.
  9. Documents as indicated in the clinical record.
  10. Demonstrated awareness of professional boundaries and cultural diversity.
  11. Plans and facilities activities for clients to enhance socialization.
  12. Assists with personal communication skills as needed.
  13. Promotes a safe and comfortable environment for the clients and their families while respecting the dignity and privacy of the home environment.
  14. Recognizes and manages own stress, which may affect work performance.
  15. Participates in in-service education programs, as required by state regulations.
  16. Performs additional duties as assigned by the Administrator or Director of Nursing.
  17. Adheres to all agency policies.

EXPERIENCE/JOB SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

  • High School Graduate
  • Home Health Aide course completion preferred
  • Satisfactory completion of competency test
  • Must be able to read, write, comprehend and carry out directions and instructions
  • Able to function effectively with minimal direct supervision
  • Good health status and emotional stability
  • Demonstrate strong commitment to client service and service excellence

WORKING CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Occasionally means 1-2 hours of an 8-hour workday, frequently means 2.5 to 5.5 hours of an 8-hour workday and continually means 6 to 8 hours of an 8-hour workday)

Work position Performance Frequency
  Sit   Occasionally
  Stand   Continually
  Walk   Continually
  Squat   Continually
  Crawl   Continually
  Reach above shoulder   Occasionally
  Reach below shoulder level   Frequently
  Lift, carry, push, pull:   
  Maximum 50 lbs.    Continually
  Over 50 lbs.    Frequently

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Condition Frequency of Encounter
  Involves being:   
  Inside   Continually
  Outside   Occasionally
  Exposed to temperatures of:   
  32 degrees F and less   Occasionally
  100 degrees F and more   Occasionally
  Wet and humid conditions   Occasionally
  Noise, vibrations    Occasionally

EXPOSURE TO HAZARDS

Hazards Frequency of Exposure
  Infectious wastes    Continually
  Toxic chemicals   Frequently
  Needles/Body fluids   Continually
  Radiation    Never
  Chemotherapeutic   Never
  Mechanical Hazards (Driving)   Frequently

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