Certified Home Health Aide
Job Overview: To provide thorough and effective care, consistent with the guidelines defined in the Home Health Aide Scope of Practice (DOH Memo 92-94) set forth by New York State’s Department of Health.The care is directed by a Registered Professional Nurse and is outlined in a written plan of care.All care is compliant with standard precautions and is conducted according to the established policies, procedures and objectives of the HAPI agency.
Job Description:DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (*denotes essential job functions):
*1) Performs and documents direct patient care delivery as specified on care plan; observes, records, and reports (written and/or via telephony information) about patient.
*2) Assists with personal care needs which include:
* Shampooing hair
* Dressing upper and lower body
* Oral hygiene, including denture care
* Maintenance of hearing aides, eyeglasses, and other prosthetics
* Routine and special skin care
* Positioning and turning in bed
* Perineal care and urinary catheter care
* Bathing patient
* Nail care
* Assisting with toileting and elimination
*3) Accurately measures, records and reports vital signs:
* Temperature, including reading a glass thermometer
* Pulse
* Respiration
* Blood Pressure
* Pain
* Measures, reports, and records Intake and Output
*4) Performs health – related activities as instructed and supervised by a Professional Nurse:
* Performs ostomy care
* Does simple dressing changes
* Performs maintenance exercise
* Collects specimens
*5) Assists self-directing patients with the administration of medication limited to all oral, nasal, topical
(except anti-anginal), ocular and intra-aural, rectal, and vaginal including medicated baths.
*6) Uses prescribed medical equipment and supplies such as oxygen and medication nebulizer consistent with the Home Health Aide Scope of Practice guidelines.
*7) Assist with rehabilitation support including ambulation, range of motion, prescribed exercise program as instructed by a professional therapist, transferring and alignment including use of special equipment such as wheelchairs, Hoyer lift, crutches, walkers, and safety devices such as side rails.
*8) Performs household duties while maintaining household safety and principles of accident prevention.
Household tasks include:
* Shopping
* Preparing meals in accordance with a prescribed diet ranging from regular to simple and complex modified diets.
* Feeding patients
* Washing dishes
* Changing linens
* Maintains a clean environment that includes the bathroom, dusting, and laundering the patient’s clothing
*9) Escorts patient and performs errands as directed under care plan. Recognizes emergencies and follows agency procedures appropriately. Exhibits understanding of physical, emotional and developmental needs of patients.
*10) Provides assistance to self-directed patients in handling cash in amounts no greater than $100.00 for groceries and other household supplies as documented on the care plan and under the general supervision of the Registered Nurse.
*11) Complies with agency confidentiality and HIPPA policies; demonstrates an understanding of patient’s rights and maintains respect for patient privacy and personal property.
*12) Complies with New York State Dept. of Health requirements for 12 hours of in-service per year, annual health assessment, annual TB evaluation and testing, any testing required by HAPI to determine if a health risk exists with the employee that could potentially harm the patient, competency evaluation, and annual performance.
*13) Works weekends and holidays as required and performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
(i) Communication skills.
(ii) Observation, reporting and documentation of patient status, and the care or service furnished.
(iii) Reading and recording temperature (using a glass thermometer), pulse, and respiration.
(iv) Basic infection control procedures.
(v) Basic elements of body functioning and changes in body function that must be reported to an aide’s supervisor.
(vi) The ability to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment.
(vii) The ability to recognize emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures.
(viii) The ability to recognize the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of patients, and develop ways of working with them. This includes recognizing the need for respect for the patient, his or her privacy and his or her property
(ix) Appropriate and safe techniques in personal hygiene and grooming that include:
* Bed Bath
* Sponge, tub, or shower bath
* Shampoo, sink, tub, or bed
* Nail and skin care
* Oral hygiene
* Toileting and elimination
(x) Safe transfer techniques and ambulation
(xi) Normal Range of Motion and Positioning
(xii) Use of Telephony system to report arrival and departure from assignment(s) and the care provided to assigned client(s).
AGE RELATED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
Ability to plan and conduct duties in accordance with age appropriate capabilities and needs of the elderly and adult population.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Frequent prolonged standing, walking; lifting, pushes and/or transfers patients; lifts supplies and equipment; frequently twists, stoops, bends, squats; occasionally climbs stairs. May spend varied percentage of working time indoors or outdoors depending on patient needs. Communicates orally and/or in writing with patient’s families, visiting nurses, therapists, etc. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Must meet NYS Dept. of Health requirements: Pre-employment health status assessment and clearance from the habituation or addiction to alcohol or other drugs or substances, immunity to rubella, immunity to rubeola (if born on or after 1/1/57), tuberculosis screening (ppd and/or chest x-ray) with clearance, and an annual, or more frequent if necessary, health status assessment to assure freedom from any health impairment that is of potential risk to the client, family, or to employees or that may interfere with the performance of duties.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
* Graduate of a New York State Department of Health approved Home Health Aide Training Program, and/or Personal Care Aide Upgrade Program.
* Works without regular supervision in patients’ homes. May be infrequently exposed to patient elements. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations, in an unsupervised environment with frail, compromised elderly or sick individuals, and/or children.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
1) For Upgraded PCA’s: A minimum of 3 months experience as a PCA in either a Licensed Home
Care Service Agency, a Certified Home Health Agency, or Long Term
Home Health Care Program.
For HHA’s: A minimum of 3 months experience as a Certified Home Health Aide
within the last 24 months in either a Licensed Home Care Service Agency,
a Certified Home Health Agency or long Term Home Health Care Program
2) Two business references.
