Personal Care Assistant

LifeCare Alliance

Position Title: Personal Care Assistant (608)              

Reports to: RN Supervisor

Position Summary:

The Personal Care Assistant is responsible for performing personal care and homemaker services based on a nurse’s assessment of the client’s needs. This position is also responsible for providing respite and private duty care.

The services are provided under the direction of the Home Health Aide Supervisor and RN Supervisor –as assigned by agency policies and program policies of practice. Work performed in this position will be of a complex, paraprofessional, confidential, and health related nature. Work requires an attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication skills, flexibility, and an ability to handle multiple tasks. This position will have frequent contact with agency personnel and Home Care clients. A positive and cooperative image and attitude is crucial for this position. This position requires a significant amount of independence, self-direction and time management to accomplish its essential functions and responsibilities.

Principal responsibilities/essential functions:

1. Responsible for assisting clients with personal hygiene according to the client care plan. This includes the ability to give a partial or complete bath, in a variety of locations, in an organized manner while promoting client independence and maintaining client modesty. Also provides assistance with oral hygiene, denture care, skin care, foot and nail care.
2. Responsible for taking and recording vital signs with accuracy. Ability to take blood pressure, pulses, temperature, respiration, and weigh clients.
3. Responsible for completing required documents. This includes client service records, timesheet, mileage sheet, client observation form and client conference form. 
4. Responsible for listening, providing social interaction, emotional support to client and/or caregiver. Notices physical or mental changes in client and reports and significant deviation. Provides information regarding other community resources.
5. Responsible for responding appropriately in an emergency and for promptly reporting any unusual occurrences or incidents. Calling 911 or reporting to supervisor may be necessary.
6. Responsible for attending required meetings. This includes obtaining 8 hours of continuing education/in-services per year (provided by agency on a monthly basis).
7. Responsible for following mandated safety regulations. This includes infection control standards. 

Working Conditions

Work is primarily in client homes, which may include a variety of home environments and living conditions. Work requires employee to drive in all types of weather conditions. Work is generally between 8:00am and 5:00pm, and on call hours as assigned. However, evening and weekend assignments may occasionally be required.

Qualifications

Minimum of 2 years of in home care experience of either private duty or in facility. 

60-hour training or state tested nursing license. 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

Ability to lift, transfer, and move clients

Ability to lift 30 pounds using proper body mechanics

Ability to use mature judgement

Ability to be sensitive to older adults, family members, and those in the community

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with LifeCare staff, clients, and other community agencies

Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate effectively 

Knowledge of basic safety, infection control, and health principles

Knowledge of procedures/techniques necessary to perform personal care and hygiene service to clients in the home

Ability to read a map and find various locations

Ability to work independently with limited supervision.