Home Health Personal Care HHA

JOB SUMMARY :

The home health aide provides personal care and related services in the home that are allowed to be performed under state law. She/he functions under the direction, instruction and supervision of the staff nurse and the Director of Patient Care Services and/or appropriate supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Prefer Completion of the 9th grade; prefer high school graduate or equivalent.

Ability to read and write in English, consistent with job requirements.

A reliable means of transportation to get to assigned patient visits.

Must have a criminal background check and current CPR certification.

Meets one of the following:

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A home health aide training and competency evaluation program as specified by CMS in the CoP § 484.80 (b) and (c) respectively, OR

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A competency evaluation program that meets CMS specifications, OR

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A nurse aide training and competency evaluation program approved by the state as meeting the requirements of 42 CFR 483.151-154, OR

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The requirements of a state licensure program that meets the provisions of CMS Home Health CoP § 484.80 (b) and (c).

RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

Tasks to be performed by an HHA must be assigned by and performed under the supervision of an RN who will be responsible for the patient care provided by the HHA.

Duties of the HHA may include:

Assist with ADLS and iADLs as per the POC

Follow the POC for each patient and document the same

Help patients to maintain good personal hygiene

Assist in maintaining a healthful, safe environment

Plan/prepare nutritious meals. Markets when indicated on the POC

Assist patients with ambulation as per the POC

Assist with certain treatments as ordered by the physician/approved and supervised by the nurse

Assist the therapy personnel as needed with rehabilitative processes per the HHA POC

May cue for medications ordinarily self-administered as assigned

Taking and charting vital signs under the direction of a nurse or healthcare practitioner

Encourages patients to be as independent as possible according to the nursing care plan

Attempts to promote patient’s mental alertness through involvement in activities

Gives simple emotional support to patients and other members of the household

Establishes a relationship with patient and family which transmits trust and confidentiality

Prepares a report of visits on the day it is performed and incorporates same in the clinical record weekly or as directed

Reports any changes in the patient’s status or home situation immediately to the supervisor, staff nurse, or aide supervisor, including recognizing & reporting skin changes

Carries out assignments as instructed by the nurse/Therapist or and documents and reports when she is unable to do so

An active participant on the multidisciplinary team and QA Program

Works with personnel of other community agencies involved in the patient’s care as directed

Performs routine housekeeping tasks as related to a safe and comfortable environment for the patient, as instructed by the nurse

Attends in-service as required by state and federal regulation

Confirming on a weekly basis, the scheduling of visits with the Supervisor/Director, to coordinate necessary visits with other personnel

Notifying the Agency of absences due to illness, emergency leave, normal vacation periods, or special professional meetings, which will affect agreed service with the Agency

Wears the Agency’s name badge at all times when seeing Agency patients.

Other duties as assigned

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO BE OPERATED :

Vehicle to do routine patient visits, possible transfer/lifting devices, medical supplies

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Indoors, performing patient care/tasks in the patient’s residence

Travel to patient residences/meetings; will require transportation to get to various work sites

Possible exposure to communicable diseases

FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES

Able to access patient’s homes that may not be handicap accessible.

Able to hear, speak, understand and communicate effectively in English

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

On a daily basis: walking, standing, sitting, reaching, use of telephone, use of computers & other office equipment, lifting/transferring 150 lbs or greater, bending, stooping, climbing stairs.

When duties/responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and

subject to changes of business necessity