Provides personal care and related services in the home. Functions under the direction, instruction and supervision of the Director of Patient Services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Registered Nurse, currently licensed in the state of Tennessee.
• Current valid Tennessee drivers license.
• Must be able to provide direct patient care.
• Working knowledge of the home health care program and previous experience providing home health visits preferred.
• Ability to read and write consistent with job requirements.
• Has received the appropriate training related to the following.
• Methodology of assisting clients to achieve maximum self-reliance,
• Principles of nutrition and meal preparation,
• Principles of the aging process,
• Understanding the emotional problems of illness & long term home care,
• Procedures for maintaining a clean, healthful and pleasant environment,
• That all changes in client condition must be reported,
• Maintaining the ethics and confidentiality of client care,
• Cooperate with the health care team, and
• Providing and maintaining appropriate and required records.
• Comprehends the basics of personal care, housekeeping & meal preparation.
• Shows an interest and concern for people.
• Practices good hygiene and is neat in personal appearance.
• Freedom from health problems that may be injurious to client, self and co-workers and presents the required documents that indicate such.
• Appropriate work experience.
• Computer data entry and word processing skills desirable.
• Possession of the emotional and mental maturity necessary for establishing and maintaining a good work relationship with the client, client’s family, and the personnel of the Agency.
• Reliability of transportation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Helps the client to maintain good personal hygiene.
2. Assists in maintaining a healthful, safe environment.
3. Plans and prepares nutritious meals. Markets when instructed to do by the supervisor.
4. Assists the client with ambulating
5. Assists with certain treatment as ordered by the physician and approved by the supervisor.
6. Assists as needed with rehabilitative processes.
7. Encourages the client to become as independent as possible according to the nursing care plan.
8. Attempts to promote client’s mental alertness through involvement in activities of interest.
9. Gives simple emotional and psychological support to the client and other members of the household.
10. Establishes a relationship with client and family which transmits trust and confidentiality.
11. Prepares a report of his/her visit on the day it is performed and incorporates it into the clinical record weekly.
12. Reports any changes in the client’s mental or physical condition or in his home situation to her immediate supervisor.
13. Carries out her assignment as instructed by the supervisor and reports when she is able to do so.
14. Works with personnel of other agencies involved in the client’s care as directed by the supervisor.
15. Performs routine housekeeping tasks as related to a safe and comfortable environment for the client, according to the Plan of Care.
16. Follows universal precautions whenever giving any aspects of client care.
17. Maintains confidentiality of information related to business practices, business activities and personnel.
18. Performs ONLY those functions as specified for each individual client.
19. Responds to the physical, emotional and developmental needs of clients.
20. Follows emergency procedures in the event of any incident, e.g., accident, injury or significant change in client’s condition.
21. Provides frequent communication to the supervisor, physicians, other team members, etc., and the patient/family in efforts to coordinate changes in patient care and assures that appropriate follow-up and supporting documentation is done.
22. Completes supporting documentation in an accurate and timely manner, including, but not limited to: visit reports, progress notes, and correspondence to supervisor for appropriate changes in plan of care recommendation.
23. Attends team conferences when directed. Participates and offers input regarding the patient’s care and progress toward individual patient goals. Assists the supervisor in documenting above information and providing a progress report to the physician every 30 days.
24. Understands and assures adherence to all organizational policies, procedures, and processes (administrative, personnel, clinical, etc.). Seeks guidance and further clarification of organizational policies, procedures, and processes when uncertainty/confusion arises.
25. Provides input in the evaluation of other team member’s job performance upon request.
26. Attends inservices, seminars, and other meetings as assigned by the immediate supervisor or other management.
27. Participates willingly with special projects and overtime work when requested to do so.
28. Maintains a professional attitude when working with staff, fostering the team philosophy and team environment for all personnel.
29. Always provides proper notification and/or advance notice for absence or tardiness without abuse.
30. Does not allow personal affairs to interfere with scheduled work time.
31. Maintains a professional appearance at all times.

FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES:

• Is able to lift, turn, and transfer clients weighing up to 200 pounds.
• Is able to carry bundles up stairs weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Must be able to stoop and bend.
• Must be able to travel to prospective client’s place of residence.
• Must be able to read 12 point or larger type.
• Must be able to hear and speak in a manner understood by most people.
• Must be able to write legibly.