Personal Care Attendant - Full time Days - Home Health

Personal Care Attendant

To assist clients and their families in their homes with non-medical directed personal care and home management tasks, including support of clients with dressing, bathing, grooming, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, transportation, toileting, and mobility.

High school diploma or equivalent required plus the University of Vermont Health Network Home Health & Hospice PCA Training program (either 1 day for experienced recruits or full PCA training for recruits with no previous experience). Personal Care Attendants must successfully complete PCA coursework and pass the required exam. Must demonstrate and maintain any required competency. Able to speak, read and write in English. Be honest, self-directed, possess initiative, display good judgment and a positive attitude toward daily activities. Have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in written work. Be able to work cooperatively and in a productive manner with organization's employees, clients, customers and the general public. Maintain satisfactory standing with the Adult Abuse Registry, Child Abuse & Neglect Registry, Vermont Criminal Information Center and OIG. Be free from the illegal use and effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace. Be able to carry out the functions of this job without risk of harm to the health and safety of self and others. Hold a valid driver's license and have a reliable, registered vehicle with insurance as required by the organization, and appropriate to position.

Traveling may be required. May work in community based settings, and clients' homes and outdoors. May work during non-business hours. May experience: hostile and emotionally upset clients, family members, visitors and staff; stress due to a demanding profession; an exposure to blood-borne pathogens; a variety of environmental exposures such as inclement weather, animals, firearms, tobacco use, dust, and other client based activities and preferences.

Must walk, sit, stand, bend, lift and move intermittently during working hours. Must have the ability to push, pull and lift from the floor, up to a total of 50 pounds and be able to move with the weight, as to organization's standards. Climbing-be able to navigate stairs of varying heights and degrees. Balancing-be able to maintain balance. Kneeling, crouching, stooping, twisting, reaching below waist level, reaching overhead and reaching torso level. Manual finger dexterity-will need dexterity to perform duties and use equipment. Visual acuity-will need sufficient eyesight to drive a car, use office equipment and perform duties. Auditory acuity- will need to assist individuals in person and by telephone.

Communicate with clients to assure that client needs are addressed promptly, accurately, and with care; practice advanced communication skills, including as it applies to mental illness and advanced stages of dementia. Assist in personal care of clients, such as dressing, bathing and personal hygiene. Assist with toileting, such as providing incontinent care, use of bedpan, and urinal. Perform light housekeeping tasks, such as straightening, dish washing, and laundry. Grocery shop, plan and prepare basic meals for clients. Provide mobility assistance such as cane/wheelchair/walker assistance and client transfer assistance using Hoyer and Sara lifts, track systems, pivots, and other technical devices. Demonstrate awareness of spinal cord and neurological conditions and identify complications of autonomic dysreflexia. Observe and report changes in client condition to office. Prepare and maintain organization required records of client status and services performed, including Telephony if applicable. Drive to and from client houses and record applicable mileage and travel time. Carry out treatment as directed by supervisor according to the care plan. Accompany clients to doctor's offices, grocery shopping and on other necessary errands outside the home, providing transportation, assistance, and companionship according to program regulations. Support basic living skills, support independence. Assist in maintaining a safe environment for clients. Provide assistance with advanced positioning with bedbound clients. Participate in in-services and meetings of the organization. Practice standard precautions in accordance with OSHA standards. Other duties as assigned by supervisor. Higher level care may be taught by the supervisor on a case to case basis for that client only.