Home Health Aide

Definition:

The HomeCare Aide performs assigned functions of personal care to the patient in the home under the direction, instruction and supervision of the Registered Professional Nurse.

Line of Authority:

Registered Nurse; DON; Administrator/Director of Services

Qualifications:

1. Completion of the ninth grade in school
2. Documentation of successful completion of a training program consisting of at least 75 total hours, including at least 16 hours of classroom instruction and at least 16 hours of supervised practical training meeting the content requirements of the Federal Register, August 14, 1989
3. Successful completion of the written and on-site HomeCare Aide Competency Evaluation prior to performing patient care independently.

Performance Requirements:

1. Able to be on feet 7-8 hours per day.
2. Able to lift 70-80 lbs on a regular basis.
3. Able to bend, stoop, squat and twist frequently in a day.
4. Able to see and hear adequately enough to respond to visual and auditory requests from patients.
5. Able to speak clearly enough to adequately communicate with hearing impaired patients.
6. Upper extremity mobility which does not impede fine motor coordination and manual dexterity.
7. Able to read, write and follow written directions.
8. Must have reliable personal transportation.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Renders personal care to patients under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse. Personal care may include:
   • Bathing, oral hygiene, care of the skin, hair and dressing.
   • Assistance with elimination (use of bedside commode, bedpan or in getting to and from the bathroom; routine catheter care and colostomy care, not including irrigation).
   • Assistance with repositioning, transfers and/or ambulation including the use of equipment such as lifts, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.
   • Routine care of prosthetic and orthotic devices.
   • Dressing changes which do not require the skills of a licensed nurse. FLORIDA SPECIFIC: Reinforcement of a dressing only. No dressing changes.
   • Assistance with medications which are ordinarily self-administered and do not require the skills of a licensed nurse to be provided safely and effectively. FLORIDA SPECIFIC: Supervision of self-administered medication in the home limited to:
   1. obtaining the medication container from the storage area
   2. preparing necessary items such as juice, water, cups or spoons to assist in self-administration
   3. reminding patient that it is time to take mediation
   4. observation of self-administration
   • Assistance with prescribed exercises after adequate instruction and supervision has been given by appropriate professional personnel.
2. Assists in maintaining a hygienic environment which may include:
   • Prepares meals, feeds the patient and cleans utensils used in carrying out these duties;
   • Provides light cleaning of the patient’s immediate environment to keep it safe and in order;
   • Launders bed linen and needed clothing when the patient is unable to do these things;
3. Participates in ongoing patient care coordination with all disciplines.
4. Other duties as assigned by the Registered Nurse.