Personal Care Attendant Home Health

Overview

POSITION SUMMARY:

To assist clients and their families in their homes with non-medical directed personal care and home management tasks, including support of clients with dressing, bathing, grooming, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, transportation, toileting, and mobility

• Education:
  
  High school diploma or equivalent required plus the University of Vermont Health Network Home Health & Hospice PCA Training program (either 1 day for experienced recruits or full PCA training for recruits with no previous experience)
• Experience:
  
  Personal Care Attendants must successfully complete PCA coursework and pass the required exam.
• License Requirements: N/A
• General:
• Must demonstrate and maintain any required competency
• Able to speak, read and write in English
• Be honest, self-directed, possess initiative, display good judgment and a positive attitude toward daily activities
• Have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in written work
• Be able to work cooperatively and in a productive manner with organization's employees, clients, customers and the general public
• Maintain satisfactory standing with the Adult Abuse Registry, Child Abuse & Neglect Registry, Vermont Criminal Information Center and OIG
• Be free from the illegal use and effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace
• Be able to carry out the functions of this job without risk of harm to the health and safety of self and others
• Hold a valid driver's license and have a reliable, registered vehicle with insurance as required by the organization, and appropriate to position

• Traveling may be required
• May work in community based settings, and clients' homes and outdoors
• May work during non-business hours
• May experience:
• Hostile and emotionally upset clients, family members, visitors and staff
• Stress due to a demanding profession
• An exposure to blood-borne pathogens
• A variety of environmental exposures such as inclement weather, animals, firearms, tobacco use, dust, and other client based activities and preferences

• Must walk, sit, stand, bend, lift and move intermittently during working hours
• Must have the ability to push, pull and lift from the floor, up to a total of 50 pounds and be able to move with the weight, as to organization's standards
• Climbing - be able to navigate stairs of varying heights and degrees
• Balancing - be able to maintain balance
• Kneeling, crouching, stooping, twisting, reaching below waist level, reaching overhead and reaching torso level
• Manual finger dexterity - will need dexterity to perform duties and use equipment
• Visual acuity - will need sufficient eyesight to drive a car, use office equipment and perform duties
• Auditory acuity - will need to assist individuals in person and by telephone

• Performance Standards:
• Communicate with clients to assure that client needs are addressed promptly, accurately, and with care; practice advanced communication skills, including as it applies to mental illness and advanced stages of dementia
• Assist in personal care of clients, such as dressing, bathing and personal hygiene
• Assist with toileting, such as providing incontinent care, use of bedpan, and urinal
• Perform light housekeeping tasks, such as straightening, dish washing, and laundry
• Grocery shop, plan and prepare basic meals for clients
• Provide mobility assistance such as cane/wheelchair/walker assistance and client transfer assistance using Hoyer and Sara lifts, track systems, pivots, and other technical devices
• Demonstrate awareness of spinal cord and neurological conditions and identify complications of autonomic dysreflexia
• Observe and report changes in client condition to office
• Prepare and maintain organization required records of client status and services performed, including Telephony if applicable
• Drive to and from client houses and record applicable mileage and travel time
• Carry out treatment as directed by supervisor according to the care plan
• Accompany clients to doctor's offices, grocery shopping and on other necessary errands outside the home, providing transportation, assistance, and companionship according to program regulations
• Support basic living skills, support independence
• Assist in maintaining a safe environment for clients
• Provide assistance with advanced positioning with bedbound clients
• Participate in in-services and meetings of the organization
• Practice standard precautions in accordance with OSHA standards
• Other duties as assigned by…