Direct Home Care Worker

DIRECT HOME CARE WORKER

Under the direction of the Center Manager and/or Team Lead/Home Care Coordinator, the Direct Home Care Worker provides supportive services to participants, including in the home or community setting, during transport, and at appointments or the day health center. The PCA’s responsibilities for each participant are specified in the Direct Home Care Worker Care Plan. The following statements describe the essential elements, functions, and requirements of the position.

The list should not be taken as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of an individual assigned to this job.

• The Direct Home Care Worker’s plan of care is based on the initial and ongoing assessments performed by a home care RNCM.
• The Direct Home Care Worker assists in providing and/or maintaining optimal physical and emotional comforts to frail elders in the participant’s home, community setting, day health center, dementia unit, during transport and at appointments.
• The Direct Home Care Worker assists participants and their families toward achieving maximum self-reliance and independence within their environment, day health center, and dementia unit.
• The Direct Home Care Worker performs the care or services outlined in the individual participant’s Care Plan; any Care Guidelines that are pertinent to the participant’s diagnosis are specified in the Care Plan.
• The Direct Home Care Worker performs a variety of tasks and services for the participant, including:
  • Personal care
  • Assistance with activities
  • Assistance with meal preparation / feeding
  • Assistance with toileting / managing incontinence
  • Simple treatments
  • Shopping
  • Medication reminders
  • Laundry services
  • Extended hours care
  • Homemaking services / chores
  • Transportation and off‑site appointment support
• The Direct Home Care Worker is responsible for accurate, timely documentation as required by the service area they are supporting, including but not limited to the care and/or services provided on every visit and/or encounter, transport and appointment. The Direct Home Care Worker keeps the RNCM and/or clinic nurse informed of the participant’s progress.
• Immediately reports all customer service complaints, and all deviations from set schedule and appointments to supervisor / manager.
• The Direct Home Care Worker responds to emergency situations in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Works only within established scope of practice.

• Minimum high school diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience or completed formal training program (direct care, nurse assistant, medical assistant, etc.) outside of PACE SEMI in lieu of minimum years of experience.
• Participates in annual, required in‑service training and screening, including infection control, TB testing, safety training, and BLS training.
• Possesses the ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and interdepartmental relationships, and respect the physical, spiritual, and well‑being of participants and co‑workers.
• Can organize and maintain flexible scheduling to coordinate job responsibilities.
• Can work sensitively with individuals of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Can relate to participants with dementia and/or developmental disabilities.
• Can perform duties in an atmosphere of frequent interruption.
• Meets a standardized set of competencies (approval by CMS) before working independently.
• Is medically cleared for communicable diseases and has all immunizations up‑to‑date before engaging in direct participant contact.

• Driving is required within PACE SEMI catchment area.
• Must have reliable transportation available on a daily basis.
• Must have a current valid driver’s license.
• Working conditions are variable, with exposure to communicable diseases due to participant environment; potential exposure to chemicals such as cleaning solutions and medications.

Entry level

Full-time

Other

Hospitals and Health Care, Individual and Family Services, and Hospitality