Direct Care Worker

Description:

Care Worker provide service to individuals in their own homes and communities, who need assistance caring for themselves as a result of old age, sickness, disability and/or other inflictions. Personal Care may include assistance with the activities of daily living, housecleaning, laundry, meal preparation, transportation, companionship and respite. Direct Care Workers are responsible for ensuring that service is delivered in a caring and respectful manner, in accordance with relevant Agency policies and industry standards.

Responsibilities/Activities:

• Assist with the activities of daily living and personal care including:
  - bathing - shaving - ambulation
  - mouth care - dressing - exercise
  - hair care - feeding - toileting
  - nail care - positioning - medication reminding
  - skin care - transferring - vital signs and blood pressure
• Ensure client's safety and security by supervising the home environment.
• Teach/perform meal planning and preparation, routine housekeeping activities such as making/changing beds, dusting, vacuuming, washing floors, cleaning kitchen and bathroom, and laundry.
• Provide companionship including social interactions, conversations, emotional reassurance and encouragement of activities that stimulate the mind.
• Provides respite care for families in accordance with care plans.
• Perform/assist with essential shopping/errands, which may include handling the client's money in accordance with the care plan and under the observation of the Supervisor.
• Assist clients with following a written, special diet plan and reinforcement of diet maintenance, which is provided under the direction of a Physician and as identified on the care plan.
• Escort clients to medical facilities, errands, shopping and outings as specified in the care plan.
• Assist clients with communication by writing or typing correspondence for them or researching information for them.
• Participate on the Care Team by providing input and making suggestions.
• Ensure service is delivered in accordance with all relevant policies, procedures and practices.
• Monitor supplies and resources.
• Evaluate the program and make recommendations to it, as indicated.
• Follow the written care plan.
• Carry out duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
• Observe clients and their environments and reports unsafe conditions to Supervisor.
• Observe clients and their environments and reports behavior, physical and/or cognitive changes and/or changes in living arrangements to Supervisor.
• Complete and maintain records of daily activities, observations, and direct hours of service.
• Attend orientation, in-service training sessions and staff meetings.
• Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Communicate with Supervisor and co-workers.
• Observe, receive and obtain information from relevant sources.
• Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge:

• Knowledge of personal care and home management skills.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client and personal services, including needs determinants, meeting quality standards and evaluation of client satisfaction.
• Knowledge of the English language.
• Knowledge of information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat injuries including emergency first
  aid and CPR.
• Knowledge of clerical procedures such as maintaining records and completing forms.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• The ability to competently assist clients with their activities of daily living.
• The ability to be aware of other people's reactions and understand why they react as they do.
• The ability to establishing and maintain relationships.
• The ability to teach others.
• The ability to listen actively.
• The ability to apply reason and logic to identify strengths and weaknesses of possible solutions.
• The ability to identify problems and determine effective solutions.
• The ability to understand written and oral instructions.
• The ability to communicate information orally so others understand.
• The ability to communicate in writing so others understand.
• The ability to listen and understand the spoken word.
• The ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• The ability to determine or recognize when something is likely to go wrong.
• The ability to suggest a number of ideas on a subject.
• The ability to perform activities that use the whole body.
• The ability to handle and move objects and people.
• The ability to provide advice and consultation to others.
• The ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• The ability to establish and maintain harmonious relations with clients/families/co-workers.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Good physical and mental health.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear and see.
• Mental fortitude and stability to handle stress.
• Physical and mental ability to drive a vehicle.

Qualifications/Education:

• Caregiver Certified
• Current driver's license.
• Proper Vehicle Insurance Coverage.
• First Aid/ CPR Certification
• TB Test - Negative
• Fingerprint Clearance Card

Training/Experience:

• Continuing Education
• On the job training for new activities.