JOB SUMMARY
The home health aide provides personal care and related services in the home that are allowed to be performed under state law. They function under the direction, instruction, and supervision of the staff nurse, Chief Nursing Officer, and/or appropriate supervisor.
Tasks to be performed by an HHA must be assigned by and performed under the supervision of a Registered Nurse who will be responsible for the patient care provided by the Home Health Aid.
Duties of the Home Health Aid 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
- Wear 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.
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:
- A home health aide training and competency evaluation program as specified by CMS in the CoP § 484.80 (b) and (c) respectively, OR
- A competency evaluation program that meets CMS specifications, OR
- A nurse aide training and competency evaluation program approved by the state as meeting the requirements of 42 CFR 483.151-154, OR
- The requirements of a state licensure program that meets the provisions of CMS Home Health CoP § 484.80 (b) and (c).
Education & Experience
- High school or equivalent (Required)
- Home Health Aid: 1 year (Required)
Shift Availability:
- Day Shift (Preferred) Weekends (Preferred)
- Night Shift (Preferred)
- Weekends (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
Essex County and/or Middlesex County (Required)