Health Care Aide

Qualifications

• Health Care Aide Certificate from a recognized program
• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered
• Demonstrated organizational skills, and the ability to work independently
• Demonstrated communication skills
• Demonstrated flexibility to facilitate changes in techniques and procedures
• Ability to display independent judgment
• Ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population
• Ability to respect and promote confidentiality
• Ability to perform the duties of the position on a regular basis

About the Role

The Health Care Aide provides direct client care and environmental support within established standards of care, policies and procedures. The Health Care Aide functions in meeting the special and changing needs of clients and assisting them in reaching and maintaining optimum health and independence within the limits of their abilities under the direction of the team leader.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients in activities of daily living, striving to maintain self-respect, dignity, and independence of clients by encouraging and allowing clients to care for themselves within the limits of their abilities as described in the client’s record.
• Integrate the resident Bill of Rights (Long Term Care) into care.
• Follow individualized clients’ care plan, provide feedback to improve care and communicate/report client changes to the team leader.
• Document care according to policy.
• Document observations and care provided in the client’s health record and/or appropriate flow sheet as per policies and procedures (e.g., Clinical Documentation, fluid balance record).
• Provide or assist the client with Personal Hygiene as per care plan, including but not limited to:
  • Bathing – tub bath, shower, or complete or partial bed bath
  • Grooming – wash hands, face, perineal area
  • Shampoos and combs hair, shaves, cleans, and cuts nails
  • Skin care – provides back rubs/skincare
  • Oral care – mouth care, care of teeth and dentures
  • Dressing – assist in dressing and undressing, remove soiled clothing, and put out clean clothes
• Assist clients with care of personal belongings and clothing.
• Provide or assist the client with elimination as per care plan, including but not limited to:
  • Assist client to the bathroom as necessary
  • Give bedpan or urinal
  • Change incontinent briefs and provide perineal care
  • Care of urinary drainage system as per procedure
  • Assist with ostomy care demonstrating proper technique and safe use of ostomy care supplies
• Replace an established (chronic) ostomy system and notify team leader if any signs of skin breakdown.
• Provide or assist the client with mobility as per care plan, including but not limited to assisting and feeding dependent clients, distributing between-meal nourishment/supplements, and encouraging client consumption.
• Provide or assist the client with observation and measurements as per care plan, including but not limited to:
  • Report any change in client’s condition to the team leader
  • Update BM sheet each shift
  • Weigh client
  • Record intake and output as requested
  • Document care on applicable flow sheet
• Provide or assist with the application and care of compression stockings, tensors, braces, splints as directed according to client care plan.
• Provide or assist with necessary safety measures (as per policies and procedures), including but not limited to:
  • Side rails, seat belts, wheelchair pedals
  • Assist in the management of disoriented or aggressive clients or visitors
  • Promptly respond to clients' call lights
• Perform at a minimum hourly observation rounds or more frequently as indicated by client's care plan.
• Demonstrate appropriate application of restraints and monitoring of clients with use of restraints as per policies and procedures.
• Position and/or assist the client with eating in a manner that promotes dignity and encourages interaction, utilizing safe feeding techniques as required according to client care plan.
• Maintain a safe environment by appropriately distributing/storing equipment.
• Provide or assist as directed, according to client care plan, with client vital sign measurement, documenting and communicating the results to the team leader.
• Provide or assist as directed, according to client care plan, with the application of oxygen therapy, including portable oxygen, oxygen concentrators, and wall mount oxygen.
• Provide or assist as directed, according to client care plan, with the emptying of closed suction medical systems, including suction canisters, Hemovac, Blake, and Jackson Pratt drains, documenting and communicating results to the team leader.
• Provide or assist as directed, according to client care plan, using medication safety principles with the established application of prescribed creams, ointments, and/or oil-based lotions.
• Provide or assist the client with validation and orientation techniques, and provide privacy while maintaining individual identity and confidentiality regarding client’s condition and family affairs.
• Provide or assist in admissions, transfer, and discharge of clients, including care of the body after death.
• List client’s valuables and arrange for their storage on admission and their return on discharge.
• Promote and maintain proper hand hygiene and infection control practices, including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.
• Maintain a clean environment, including equipment cleaning, changing linen as necessary, replenishing supplies in client rooms, wiping spills to prevent injury, and reporting all accidents and breakages immediately.
• Follow the appropriate procedure for collecting, labeling, handling, and transporting urine, feces, or sputum specimens.
• Order and stock unit supplies (e.g., linen and food).
• Encourage and assist client’s participation with activity programs. Organize and facilitate leisure activities for individuals and/or groups on evenings and weekends.
• Demonstrate the safe use of medical equipment applicable to the client service area.
• Other duties as assigned.