Caregiver

Home Care Aide Job Description

Homecare Aides 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, respite and advice on such things as nutrition, cleanliness and household activities.

Homecare Aides are responsible for ensuring that service is delivered in a caring and respectful manner, in accordance with relevant agency policies and industry standards. Reporting Relationship Reports to Supervisor.

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.
• Provide 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 in basic client transfers providing the client has been assessed as being capable of ambulating without assistance; and/or, providing another trained caregiver (including family) is involved in the transfer.
• Assist clients with communication by writing or typing correspondence for them or researching information for them.
• Provide companionship, friendship and emotional support.
• Talk, listen, share experiences, play games/cards, read to client etc.
• Help keep clients in contact with family, friends and the outside world.
• Provide transportation to medical appointments, grocery store and errands.
• Accompany clients to recreational and/or social events.
• Assist with plans for visits and outings.
• 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 care services, including needs determinants, meeting quality standards and evaluation of client satisfaction.
• Knowledge of the English language.
• Knowledge of the 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 understanding why they react as they do.
• The ability to establish and maintain relationships.
• The ability to teach others.
• The ability to listen actively.
• The ability to identify problems and determine effective solutions.
• The ability to apply reason and logic to identify strengths and weaknesses of possible solutions.
• The ability to monitor and assess themselves, clients and effectiveness of service.
• 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 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.

Qualifications/Education:

• Diploma/G.E.D
• Certification in Personal Care
• Current valid driver's license.
• Proper vehicle insurance coverage.
• Internet accessible mobile phone with the ability to download work related apps.

Training/Experience:

• May require related experience.
• On the job training for new activities.
• May require similar social and cultural backgrounds with some clients.