General Summary:

Under the supervision of the Director-Community Services or the Community Services Coordinator (PRN), and in accordance with a written plan of care, provides personal care and assistance with procedures to clients in their homes who have more complex health and social needs.  Performs duties related to maintaining a safe and wholesome environment for clients and families.  Enables the client and family to maintain an optimum level of independent functioning.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The following are essential job accountabilities:

   1   Provides personal care and performs activities designed to meet the needs related to personal care activities of those individuals who have limited abilities, and more complex health and social needs in accordance with the care plan as devised by the Community Services Coordinator.  Personal care activities may include bathing - tub, bed, shower, sink; shampoo/hair grooming; shave; nails - trim and clean (nails of diabetic patients excluded); mouth care - routine and special; special skin care; toileting/ incontinent care; external catheter care; assistance with dressing; ambulation/transfer activities; ROM Exercises (specific); assistance with eating; and client escort (only in client's car, and only if client is well).

   2   Performs housekeeping activities designed to achieve or maintain a healthy environment for those individuals who are convalescing or, because of functional limitations, are unable to perform certain necessary tasks of daily living.  Housekeeping activities may include instruction in home management; running errands and grocery shopping (excluded: liquor stores and/or any other unsuitable environments); meal planning and/or preparation; light housekeeping - vacuuming, dusting, wet mopping; linen change and laundry; and other essential needs of the household.

   3   Provides respite care in accordance with the care plan as devised by the Community Services Coordinator.  Respite care may include companionship and relief for the caregiver of a client.

   4   Respects the confidentiality and rights of clients and families served, according to corporate policy.

   5   Encourages independence, self-help and use of assistive devices, according to established care plan.

   6   Promptly reports by phone to the Community Services Coordinator and/or manager on duty significant changes observed and documents on client record.

   7   Assists in assessing client and family needs and makes recommendations to the Community Services Coordinator or the manager on duty.

   8   Provides a stabilizing influence within the home, thereby promoting the mental health of the client/family.

   9   Performs special health care procedures, according to the written care plan and as supervised and instructed by the Community Services Coordinator, or designee.

10   Promptly reports significant changes in client's condition, family situations, or recommended changes in the care plan to the Community Services Coordinator or the manager on call.

The following are common expectations:

11   Completes and submits in a timely manner, accurate and neat records, according to corporate policy.

12   Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient

       population.  Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment.  Provides

       direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).

13   Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the

       impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as

       well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.

14   Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control

       standards.

15   Participates in educational programs and inservice meetings.

16   Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement

       and innovation.

The following are nonessential job accountabilities for ADA purposes:

17   Attends meetings as required.

       Performs other related duties as identified.

Qualifications:

  Note:                                   Other combinations of formal education, training and experience may be considered.

  Minimum Education             Ability to read, write, understand and speak English at a level which enables the individual to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job

  Minimum Experience            1 - 3 months

  Req Course(s)/Training         Must successfully complete either a competency evaluation test or a training and competency evaluation program

  Physical Demands                 Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking

                                             Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients

                                             Pushes/pulls or moves/lifts heavy equipment/supplies

                                             Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching

  Working Conditions              May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases

                                             May be exposed to/occasionally exposed to patient elements

                                             Exposed to unpleasant elements (accidents, injuries and illness)

                                             Occasionally subjected to irregular hours

                                             May be exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases

  Other                                   Demonstrate a sincere interest in home care of the elderly and/or disabled; Be able to work under stress and in a crisis situation, recognizing and reporting changes as they occur in the needs of the client; Understand family and client dynamics; Be able to ask for, accept, and utilize supervisory guidance; Be able to effectively read and carry out a plan of care; Be able to communicate orally and in writing; Be able to maintain narrative and statistical records appropriate to their role; Capable of maintaining confidentiality