Personal Care Attendant (PCA)

Description

Essential Functions:

1. Implements current home health aide services.
   
   • Receives and reviews Home Health Aide assignment form completed for each individual case.
   • Provides Home Health Aide services as outlined by the patient plan of care/ assignment sheet.
   • Performs specific patient care tasks as assigned by the Registered Nurse or other qualified staff members.
     
     • Tasks may include any or all of the following:
       
       • Personal Hygiene Care: help with bathing, shaving hair care, nail and skin care, oral hygiene, toileting and elimination.
       • Assistance with activities of daily living: help with eating; dressing and undressing; positioning and turning; ambulation; transfer to and from bed, chair, and toilet; and active range of motion exercises
       • Monitoring vital signs: taking pulse, respiration, temperature, and blood pressure.
       • Meal planning, preparation and assistance for adequate nutrition and fluid intake.
       • Light housekeeping: maintenance of the patient's immediate environment in a state of cleanliness and safety.
   • Performs only those duties that have been clearly assigned by the Registered Nurse in writing on the aide's assignment sheet.
2. Ensures quality and safe delivery of home health aide services.
   
   • Notifies Registered Nurse and/ or Clinical Services Manager and/ or Director of Clinical Services immediately of any change in patient's condition or circumstances that might indicate the need for a change in duties assigned or that might require nursing or medical attention.
   • Participates in case conferences.
   • Maintains accurate, complete, and timely clinical records.
   • Communicates patient questions, concerns, and/ or complaints to appropriate individual(s) in a timely manner.
   • Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
   • Implements appropriate infection control and safety measures and reports all hazards or accidents in a timely and accurate manner.
   • Utilizes proper body mechanics consistently.
3. Uses equipment and supplies safely and efficiently.
   
   • Communicates information regarding patient equipment and supply needs to appropriate individuals in a consistent and timely manner.
   • Demonstrates accurate and efficient utilization of equipment and supplies.
   • Communicates information regarding malfunctioning equipment and/ or inadequate supplies to appropriate individuals.

Requirements

Physical Requirements: Visual/hearing ability sufficient to comprehend written/oral communication. Ability to deal effectively with stress.

Working Conditions: Works in office areas as well as throughout Independent Living Facilities and residential homes. Sits, stands, bends, lift, and moves intermittently during working hours. Interacts with residents, family members, staff, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions/circumstances. Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, staff, visitors, etc. under all conditions/circumstances. Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects. May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to the AIDS and hepatitis B viruses. Communicates with the medical staff, nursing staff, and other unit supervisors. Maintains a liaison with residents, their families, support staff, etc. to assure that the residents' needs are continually met.

Qualifications: Successful completion of a competency evaluation. Have current Nursing Assistant certification OR have successfully completed a training program. Ability to care for the sick, have the maturity and ability to deal effectively with demands of the jobs. Must have the ability to read, write and carry out directions promptly and accurately. Experience in home health care or related field preferred.

Certification and License Requirements: Nursing Assistant certification OR have successfully completed a training program