HHA/PCA

Home Health Aide (HHA), Personal Care Aid (PCA)

The Home Health Aide (HHA), Personal Care Aid (PCA) provides direct care to residents following an individualized service plan, treats each resident with dignity and respect, recognizes individual needs and encourages independence. The HHA fosters a homelike atmosphere throughout the residence.

Qualifications

• Maintains a current state license as a HHA or PCA
• Minimum of one-year experience in home health, assisted living or long-term care
• Possess the ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English
• May require lifting or bending. Must be able to lift 25-35 pounds

Reports to:

The HHA/PCA reports to the Resident Care Coordinator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Read the daily log when first reporting to work
• Assists residents with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring and getting to and from activities and meals according to the individualized service plan. Allows and encourages residents to do as much of their own care as possible.
• Serves meals to residents in the dining room or apartments. Encourages residents to eat a proper diet and take adequate fluids while respecting the residents right to freedom of choice. Observes resident's dietary needs and assists with feeding as necessary. Records and reports changes in residents eating habits to the supervisor.
• Initiates and participates in leisure activities provided for the residents as described in the activity calendar. Encourages residents to socialize and participate in planned activities or programs and to develop friendships with other residents.
• Daily documentation on all ADL sheets, incident reporting or changes in resident behavior, condition or personal needs and reports information to the supervisor in a timely manner.
• Obtains residents weights.
• Intermittent assist with emptying Foley catheters
• Intermittent assist with use of oxygen equipment.
• Changes dressings involving clean procedure to stable surface wounds.
• Assists with ostomy care when ostomy has achieved its normal function.
• Observes, records and reports all changes to the supervisor. All HHA's must demonstrate competence in performing necessary skills and only perform those skills on the plan of care. Refer to policy on "HHA Scope of Tasks"
• Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly environment for the residents. Performs daily light housekeeping to the rooms which includes:
• picking up tissues, papers, cups etc. straightening bathroom.
• putting clothing away.
• hanging up the towels.
• making the bed.
• throwing out the garbage.
• closing the door.
• Following meals:
• HHA cleans tables and surrounding area including floors.
• residents need to be reminded to wash hands and toilet.
• HHA makes sure resident clothes are clean and presentable.
• HHA escorts residents to activities and participates.
• HHA does laundry as scheduled.
• HHA straightens up common areas as needed throughout the day.
• Follows proper procedures in emergency situations and responds promptly and positively to resident requests for assistance - including emergency pull cords, telephone calls and requests from family and friends.
• Throughout the shift:
• Incontinent residents are changed regularly and remain clean and dry.
• HHA is always aware of the whereabouts of their designated residents and notifies their supervisor immediately if unable to locate a resident.
• Encourages teamwork through cooperative interactions with co-workers.
• End of shift:
• HHA signs ADL sheets.
• HHA gives cross-over report to the following shift.
• HHA makes sure incontinent residents are clean and dry.
• Resident rooms are in order and no soiled products left in the garbage
• HHA signs daily assignment sheets and places in wellness office.
• Mandatory Staff Meetings/Trainings:
• All staff MUST attend monthly staff meetings and scheduled training to meet state regulations to maintain certification. These meetings are mandatory.