JOB REQUIREMENTS / JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Position: Personal Care Attendant (PCA), Caregiver (CG), and/or Companion (C).

Description: The PCA, CG, and/or C, will be responsible for providing personal care services in the comfort of the client’s home. The caregivers will assist individuals with some aspects of their ADL’s (Activity of Daily Living), and IADL’s (Independent Activities of Daily Living). The caregivers will assist clients in maintaining comfort, independence, and the client’s functional level.

A. Requirements:

• Completion of application
• Successful completion of the Caregivers Competency Test of a passing score of 80% or better.
• Required COR back ground check including finger prints.
• Successful interview with ATHPCS.
• Two positive references.
• Successful completion of the orientation process.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Current tuberculosis (TB) skin test (within the past year).
• Current CPR certification.
• Experience as a Caregiver either privately or through prior employment.

B. Responsibilities:

• Successful completion of monthly education required (12 per year).
• Maintain personnel file (keep up to date example: current address, phone number, CPR, and TB.
• Adhere to all documentation requirements and submission of all required paperwork.
• Adhere to all ATHPCS policies and procedures.
• Provide services to clients by following the clients personalized (ISP) Individual Service Plan, or (PCSP) Personal Care Service Plan.
• Any other job responsibilities directed by the Agency.
• Must immediately notify your supervisor to report a change in condition of any client, or any complaints or concerns.

2. CAREGIVER DUTIES

• Self-Administration of Medicines (SAMs)
• The term self-administration of medicines (SAMs) means that selected patients are responsible for storing and administering their own medicines.
• Caregivers should only act as educators and supervisors of this process.
• This system of monitoring ensures that drugs are correctly and safely taken and that patients understand their drug regimes.
• Consumer should administer medication to themselves.

Personal Care, Hygiene and grooming

• The most important aspect of maintaining good health is good personal hygiene.
• Personal hygiene includes the following: hair care (styling hair), trimming and painting fingernails.
• Ask the individual if he or she has a preference for his or her hair style today. Teach and assist with drying wet hair with dryer and applying gels, hair spray, and other hair products as appropriate. If hair is long, divide into sections before combing or brushing.
• Teach and assist the individual to comb or brush hair from scalp to ends of hair. Note: If the hair is tangled, use a wide-tooth comb. Why? Pulling on tangled hair can cause damage to the hair. Gently combing or brushing from the scalp to the ends of the hair stimulates circulation. If the hair is curly, start at the ends of the hair to assure that all tangles are removed before brushing from the scalp to the ends.
• Encourage the individual to look in a mirror when finished styling. Why? Having hair clean and groomed looks great, increases self-esteem, and you can’t have a “bad hair day”!
• Provide routine skin care (applying lotion or sunblock)
• Special care should be practiced when assisting with nail care. Individuals with diabetes require professional assistance with nail care.

Bathing and showering

• Remember to check water temperature. It should be warm to the touch.
• Wash, rinse, and dry each body part to prevent chilling, exposure, and chapping.
• Inspect skin for signs of injury or changes in condition.
• Use soap sparingly and do not leave in water.
• Provide privacy and warmth for the individual.
• Talk about things of interest to the individual.
• Encourage the individual to do as much as he or she can for him/herself.
• Demonstrate and explain correct bathing or showering procedures.
• Be prepared with all supplies.
• Be sure your hands are washed and clean at all times.

Meal Preparation and assistance with eating

• Preparing healthy and nutritional meals is another important service.
• Plan out meals ahead to ensure that you have the right groceries and ingredients
• Prepare meals in accordance with any special dietary requirements and restrictions
• Serve the meal at a safe temperature
• Provide eating assistance

Running errands

• Assistance in grocery shopping
• Picking up prescription medications
• Organizing incoming mail
• Going to the post office
• Checking mail box
• Assistance in paying bills

Light Housekeeping and laundry

• Vacuuming
• Washing dishes
• Dusting
• Making the bed
• Sweeping
• Mopping floors
• Taking out the trash
• Laundry
• Ironing

Assistance with using the toilet or commode

• It’s important to encourage independence for as long as possible. But if they do need your help, asking them what they’d prefer will make them feel more in control.
• Assist with standing and walking to the bathroom
• Help them to sit on the toilet
• Give them privacy but stay near
• Always use disposable gloves
• Help them stand
• Wipe them with toilet paper or wet wipes
• If the client is female, always wipe front to back to avoid infections

Mobility assistance

• Keeping mobile can help your client feel better emotionally and physically.
• Make sure that the floor is clear of any obstacles to prevent a fall
• Always use client’s mobility equipment (cane, walker, wheelchair, etc.)
• Never leave client standing alone
• Assist client to get in/out of bed
• Open doors for the client
• Assist in moving from a chair to a bed or vice versa
• Make sure client feels safe and comfortable while moving around

3. AHPCS WORK RESTRICTIONS

AHPCS provides non-medical home health services. Below are the following services that we CANNOT provide Agency clients:

• Wound Care
• Checking of vital signs
• Administering medication
• Changing Indwelling Catheters

AHPCS would also like to inform you of other tasks that employees are prohibited from providing for clients:

• Employees are prohibited from performing any at the client’s resident that would require special knowledge, training certification or skill level outside the scope of your duties, including and without limitation, painting, electrical work, plumbing services, gardening or landscaping, etc.
• Employees are prohibited from cleaning any woodwork.
• Employees are prohibited from moving or lifting any heavy furniture.
• Employees are prohibited from scrubbing toilets and tubs on hands and knees, as well as hand scrubbing toilets.
• Employees are prohibited from cleaning jewelry, silver, brass items or any other items that have sentimental value.
• AHPCS employees are expressly prohibited from buying alcohol or cigarettes for clients.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $13.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Health insurance

Medical specialties:

• Home Health

Standard shift:

• Day shift
• Evening shift

Weekly schedule:

• Every weekend
• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person

Experience:

• Caregiving: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)
• CPR Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person