Essential Duties
As a part of the Dignity team, supporting our Mission, Principles of Service and Core Values is a fundamental part of this job. Our foundational belief is the sacred value of human life. The unique responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to the essential functions listed as follows:
- Plan meals in cooperation with client and family.
- Prepare shopping list and perform necessary shopping.
- Prepare and serve meals/foods.
- Clean cooking area, equipment, and utensils.
- Store uneaten foods properly.
- Provide medication promptly.
- Bring medication container and any necessary supplies and equipment to clients and open medication containers.
- Position the client for self-administration of medication.
- Store medication properly.
- Change client’s clothing.
- Change linens.
- Perform personal care including bathing, applying lotion, filing nails, grooming, and toileting.
- Inspect skin for signs of pressure/irritation.
- Assemble and clean necessary equipment and supplies.
- Assist clients with prescribed medical equipment, supplies and devices including crutches, walkers, hearing aids, glasses, dentures, wheelchairs, canes, hospital beds, cushions, pads, slings, elastic support stockings, transfer/sliding boards, Hoyer lifts, electric lift chairs, heating pads, hot and cold compresses, nebulizers, humidifiers, oxygen equipment, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), and prosthetics.
- Change dressings.
- Perform specimen collection including urine, stool, and sputum.
- Record client weight.
- Take vitals including blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respirations.
- Assist in performing client maintenance exercise program as directed.
- Care for mature and stable ostomies.
- Provide catheter care.
- Perform light housekeeping and laundry for maintenance of clean environment.
- Monitor household supplies and resources and store reusable supplies.
- Accompany clients to appointments and events.
- Provide companionship and emotional support.
Other Duties
- Follow written client care plan.
- Complete accurate task documentation for each shift.
- Complete accurate timekeeping documentation.
- Inform the Dignity Office promptly of significant needs or changes in the patient’s condition or home environment.
- Assist in other ways which may be determined appropriate by the Dignity Clinical Manager.
- Maintain compliance in assigned required training and all training required by state/province or other regulating authorities as applicable to this role to ensure that Dignity standards are always met.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Core Competencies
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to read, write and speak English consistent with job requirements.
- Able to make responsible choices, decisions, and acts in the best interest of the client in accordance with client’s care plan
- Be flexible with the ability to prioritize
Experience and Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed throughout this job description are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.
- Completion of the 9th grade; High School Graduate preferred but not required
- One or more years of practical experience
- Active certification by State of New York as a Home Health Aide
- The HHA is qualified by one of these means:
- Successful completion of a Home Health Aide Training Program (HHATP) or competency evaluation program conducted only by a New York State Education Department (NYSED) or New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)-approved HHATP. Issuance of a certificate of completion by the approved program/school through the New York State Home Care Worker Registry (HCWR).
- Willingness to participate in fill-in or call-out coverage from time to time as requested
- Free from any mental or physical health problems that may be injurious to the client
- Be at least 18 years of age, if required by state/province regulations
- Have a reliable means of transportation