HOME HEALTH AIDE - North Star Nursing

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY:  The home heath aide is responsible for providing direct care to home care clients. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Reads and follows the established plan of care which may include:
   • Communication skills and barriers
   • Observation, reporting and documentation of patient status, and the care or service furnished
   • Reading and recording of temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure
   • Basic infection control procedures
   • Basic elements of body functioning, changes in body function, injuries and other changes that must be reported to clinician
   • Maintenance of a clean, safe and healthy environment
   • Recognize emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures
   • The physical, emotional, cognitive and developmental needs of and ways to work with the populations served, including the need for confidentiality and respect for the patient, his or her privacy and his or her property
   • Commonly used health technology equipment and assistive devices
2. Demonstrate appropriate and safe techniques in personal hygiene and grooming that include:

• Bathing
• Hair care/shampoo
• Nail and skin care
• Oral hygiene: teeth, gums and oral prosthetics
• Hearing aids
• Toileting and elimination
• Safe transfer techniques and ambulation
• Normal range of motion and positioning
• Adequate nutrition and fluid intake, including assistance with eating
• Assistance with dressing and undressing

1. Perform additional delegated tasks, including medication administration, upon completion of instruction and return demonstration.
2. Prepare meals, including modified diets and food safety
3. Complete household chores.
4. Is aware of and uses good safety practices, including but not limited to:
   • Body mechanics
   • Falls prevention
   • Reporting of defective equipment or hazards
   • Wiping spills or wet floors immediately

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Home Health Aide

Page Two

• Using Universal Precautions and appropriate infection control measures
• Knowledge of emergency procedures
• Reporting incidents/accidents to the Administrator or Director of Nursing on the day of occurrence

1. Participates in care conferences with other members of the health care team.
2. Maintains absolute confidentiality of all information pertaining to clients, families, and employees.
3. Documents as indicated in clinical record. 
4. Demonstrated awareness of professional boundaries and cultural diversity
5. Plans and facilitates activities for clients to enhance socialization.
6. Assists with personal communication skills as needed.
7. Promotes a safe and comfortable environment for the client and family while respecting the dignity and privacy of the home environment.
8. Recognizes and manages own stresses, which may affect work performance.
9. Participates in in-service educational programs, as required by state regulations.
10. Performs additional duties as assigned by the Administrator or Director of Nursing.
11. Adheres to all agency policies.

EXPERIENCE/JOB SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• High School Graduate
• Home Health Aide course completion preferred
• Satisfactory completion of competency test
• Must be able to read, write, comprehend and carry out directions and instructions
• Able to function effectively with minimal direct supervision
• Good health status and emotional stability
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to client service and service excellence

WORKING CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  (Occasionally means 1-2 hours of an 8 hour workday, frequently means 2.5 to 5.5 hours of an 8 hour workday and continually means 6 to 8 hours of an 8 hour workday)

            Sit                                                                               Occasionally

            Stand                                                                         Continually

            Walk                                                                           Continually

            Bend/Stoop                                                               Continually

            Squat                                                                         Continually

            Crawl                                                                          Occasionally

            Reach above shoulder                                           Frequently

            Reach below shoulder level                                   Frequently

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Home Health Aide

Page Three

            Lift, Carry, Push, Pull

                        Maximum 50 lbs.                                          Continually

                        Over 50 lbs.                                                  Frequently

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

            Involves being:

                        Inside                                                             Continually

                        Outside                                                          Occasionally

            Exposed to temperatures of:

                        32 degrees F and less                                Occasionally

                        100 degrees F and more                            Occasionally

                        Wet and humid conditions                         Occasionally

                        Noise, vibration                                            Occasionally

HAZARDS/EXPOSURE:

            Infectious wastes                                                     Continually

            Toxic chemicals                                                       Frequently

            Needles/Body fluids                                                Continually

            Radiation                                                                   Never

            Chemotherapeutics                                                 Never

            Mechanical Hazards-Driving                                 Frequently