Overview
Provide health related tasks under the supervision of a Registered Professional Nurse in a way that is consistent with overall participant safety and accepted standards of participant care. Predominant work location is in the Assistant Living Program. HHA CSW will assist with the needs of participants by assisting with transportation or with escorts to medical appointments and other alternate work locations may include cleaning, maintaining room, laundry, light housekeeping of participants room, monitoring of daily activities, preparing or serving meals, and other duties as directed by RN or Program Administrator.
Responsibilities
Performs all HHA health related tasks and under supervision: Bathing, toileting, dressing, feeding, shampooing, shaving, mouth care, nail care, and prescribed skin care.
Ambulation and transfer activities.
Ostomy care.
Assisting the participant with the use of medical equipment, supplies, and devices as prescribed.
Assisting with self-administered medication.
Simple skin care.
Take and record pulse, temperature, respiration and blood pressure.
Perform light housekeeping activities (laundry) as necessary to maintain a healthful participant environment.
Observe, report and record changes in the participant's condition and/or environment to appropriate staff as needed. Be alert for signs and symptoms of pain or discomfort, ask questions if participant can make their needs known, document and report pain or discomfort.
Use of proper body mechanics.
Adhering to accepted infection control practices.
Maintaining a clean, safe work environment.
Assisting with nutritional and fluid intake needs, to include assisting with meals. Notify nurse or dietician of food preferences and tolerances and document as appropriate.
Provides supervision, companionship, encouragement and care to individuals with physical and/or mental or cognitive impairment. Uses interpersonal and recreational skills to assist participants with socialization, pursuit of recreational activities and communication with others as needed.
Ensures participant's rights and confidentiality are maintained.
Establishing a positive rapport with participants, participant's family members and other members of the health care team.
Participation as a member of the interdisciplinary team including sharing of information on participant abilities, progress and preferences, and communicating information on a regular basis. Occasionally participates in assessment and care planning meetings with the interdisciplinary team or in other work groups, family meetings or planning sessions as requested.
Provides supervision, companionship and personal care assistance as required when one on one supervision or care is requested as part of the participant plan of care in an alternative setting such as hospital, nursing home or participant's home. This type of assignment will be supervised and assigned by the PACE Director of Clinical Services or home care nurse
Performs ambulation and transfer activities under direction and supervision.
Provides supervision, companionship, encouragement and care to individuals with physical and/or mental or cognitive impairment. Uses interpersonal and recreational skills to assist participants with socialization, pursuit of recreational activities and communication with others as needed.
Ensuring participant's rights and confidentiality are maintained.
Establishing a positive rapport with participants, participant's family members and other members of the health care team.
Knowledge of the care and social needs of frail seniors, along with a demeanor and desire to work with older adults.
Knowledge of the paraprofessional home health aide theory and practice to give and evaluate participant care.
Knowledge of the PACE program philosophy and goals along with interdisciplinary team concepts.
Knowledge of organizational policies, regulations and procedures to administer participant care.
Knowledge of medical equipment and instruments to administer participant care.
Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions to establish a safe work environment.
Skill in applying and modifying the principles, methods and techniques of paraprofessional care to provide ongoing participant care.
Skills in maintaining records and written documentation.
Skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with participants and participant's families.
Skills in establishing and maintaining effective communication and working relationships with other members of the interdisciplinary team including other caregivers, drivers, rehabilitation therapists, nurses, physicians, social workers, dietitians, recreational therapists, specialists and others as may participate with the team as needed.
Ability to maintain and work in accordance with accepted quality assurance standards. Desire to work actively to promote an environment of continuous quality improvement.
Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
Ability to apply guidance and procedures.
Ability to communicate clearly.
Successful performance on Competency Checklist in area of clinical expertise.
Meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by the PACE organization and approved by CMS before working independently.
Provides assistance to the RN in the Day Treatment Center including but not limited to retrieving the participant from the Day Health Center, preparing the participants from the Day Health Center, preparing the participant to be seen by the PCP, which includes taking vital signs including B/P assisting with undressing and dressing the participant, assisting the therapists in the Rehabilitation Center, tracking and ordering specimen containers and supplies, tracking expiration dates for supplies and specimen containers, logging in all medications as they are received and distributed, maintaining all non-medical logs, faxing all prescriptions to the Pharmacy and any related duties assigned by the RN.
Qualifications
Education Requirements
Requires HS Diploma and writing and math skill level to the extent necessary for the successful and safe performance of required job functions.
One year of experience with a frail elderly population a long term care or home care setting. Bilingual in Spanish or another language spoken by the members.
English Language-Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules or composition, and grammar.
Policies and Procedures--Knowledge of regulatory policies; corporate and facility.
License Requirements
Satisfactory completion of New York Sate health Department approved HHA Training Program or Equivalency.
First Aid Certification Required