Long Term Care Aide

Job Description

Job Description:\n\n POSITION Long Term Care Aide- Personal Attendant Services (PAS) - Caregivers JOB SUMMARY Highly Qualified Attendants provide various personal care and related paraprofessional services in accordance with an established plan of care, including personal needs and comfort of the clients in their homes. They provide a safe and clean environment; work cooperatively with the client and family; and report observations and problems to the Staffing Coordinator. This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications which may be required of the employee assigned to the position. Job duties may vary. Receipt of the job description does not imply nor create a promise of employment, nor an employment contract of any kind; employment with Right at Home Sherman/Prosper is at will. Reporting Responsibility: Care Manager ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS · Attendance and being on time for assigned shift in accordance with Right at Home Sherman/Prosper on time/tardiness policy is an essential function of this position. · Primarily works in client's place of residence; travel may be required. · Flexible for variable as shift times and days vary with client needs. · Promote positive, supportive, and respectful communication with the client, family and Agency personnel. · Provide an environment that promotes respect for the client's privacy and property. · Provide personal assistance or health-related tasks to clients according to the Individualized Care Plan. · Appropriately report changes to ensure continuity of care. · Practice accepted infection control principles. · Provide a clean, safe, and comfortable environment. · Utilize skills necessary to perform services according to the Agency's policy. · Contribute to the management and efficient operation of the Agency and demonstrate effective time management skills. · Demonstrate commitment, professional growth and competency by attending required in- service training. · Promote the Agency's philosophy and administrative policies to ensure quality of care. · Reports on unsafe conditions and problems to Agency management. · Adheres to Agency policies and procedures. · The Caregiver is responsible for documentation of service provided, using the Client Care Record. · The Caregiver should not contact the physician directly, but rather refer all questions or reports of client's condition changes immediately to the Office Manager. · Adheres to Agency policies and procedures. · Performs work under the supervision of the Office Manager. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): · Basic self-care: These are fundamental tasks needed for personal hygiene and health. · Examples: o Personal hygiene o Routine hair and skin care o Eating o Dressing o Shaving o Bathing o Grooming o Toileting o Mouth Care o Feeding o Exercising o Positioning o Reminders for self-administered medications o Transfer or ambulation o Eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility (moving from place to place), and maintaining continence. o Assisting with the use of devices for aid to daily living (cane, walker, wheelchair or lift device) o Assisting with prescribed range of motion exercises o Taking vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure) o Assist with application of arm sling, arm splint or leg splint o Medication reminders · Focus: Maintaining personal hygiene and health. · Importance: Essential for basic survival and independence. · Assessment: Healthcare providers assess a person's ability to perform ADLs to determine the level of support needed. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): · More complex tasks: These are higher-level activities that enable a person to live independently in a community. · Examples: Managing finances, preparing meals, shopping, using transportation, managing medications, housekeeping, and using communication devices. · Light housekeeping tasks which will facilitate the client's self-care at home. These tasks include, but are not limited to: o Vacuuming o Dusting o Sweeping or mopping floors o Dishes o Laundry o Cleaning bathrooms o Make up client bed · Focus: Managing one's surroundings and support systems. · Importance: Critical for maintaining a smooth and independent life within a community. · Assessment: IADLs are assessed to identify any challenges that may affect a person's ability to live independently. Key Differences: · Complexity: ADLs are basic self-care tasks, while IADLs are more complex and require higher cognitive function. · Setting: ADLs are more focused on personal care, while IADLs involve managing one's surroundings and support systems. · Impact: Difficulty with IADLs can be an early indicator of potential future needs related to ADLs. In essence, ADLs are the foundational tasks for daily living, while IADLs are the more complex skills needed to maintain an independent life in the community. The Personal Attendant Service will NOT include any of the following: · Sterile dressing change · Irrigation of body cavities such as enemas, colostomy or wound. · Gastric lavage or gavage · Catheterization · Administration of oral medications, eye drops or medicated skin ointments. · Administration parenteral or IV medications · Application of heat by any method · Naso-gastric or gastrostomy tube feedings or care · Tracheostomy tube care · Suctioning of the nose, mouth, or tracheostomy · Nail care on a client with diabetes or compromised circulation · Any personal health service that has not been included on the paraprofessional task sheet. Home Care Activities The Personal Attendant Services will NOT include: · Perform heavy duty household cleaning such as washing walls, waxing floors, washing windows, etc. · Household