Job Description

PURPOSE:

To describe the allowable activities (tasks/duties) that may be performed in the provision of the Home Health Aide services.

POSITION SUMMARY:

A Home Health Aide is an individual who provides personal care, home management and other related home health supportive services in order to assist the individual to continue living in their home environment when there are disruptions due to illness, disability, social disadvantage or other problems in the home. The Home Health Aide is under the direct supervision of the licensed nurse.  The HHA provides care in accordance with the DOH Matrix:  Permissible and Non-Permissible Activities:  HHA Services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1.      Successful completion of a New York State Department of Health approved Home Health Aide training program as demonstrated by a valid Home Health Aide Certificate.

2.      Ability to speak, read and write in English sufficiently to understand and interpret the HHA Plan of Care, document care provided on the HHA Time and Activity report and able to call agency to report change and/or issues related to the patient and/or 911 in case of an emergency.

3.      Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s.  Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume and distance.

4.      Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one or two step instructions.  Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

EQUIPMENT OPERATION:

Walker, Cane, Crutches, Wheelchair, Commode, Hospital Bed, Hoyer Lift, Household appliances (i.e. vacuum, refrigerator, stove, blender, toaster, etc.)

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: In order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), each essential duty should be indicated with an “x” in the ADA box.  A duty is essential if: (1) the position exists to perform that duty; (2) it requires specialized skills and/or expertise; (3) it can only be performed by a limited number of available employees.

CUSTOMER SERVICE/INTERPERSONAL SKILL

1.      Assists other employees where needed.

2.      Is responsible and cooperative with patients/families, supervisors, fellow employees.

3.      Maintains friendly working atmosphere.

4.      Maintains appropriate attitude.

5.      Maintains appropriate appearance.

6.      Accepts constructive criticism as evidenced by appropriate changes in behavior.

7.      Utilizes established channels of communication.

8.      Recognizes, accepts and respects people as individuals.

9.      Recognizes limitations and seeks assistance appropriately.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

1.      Ability to apply prosthetic devices;

2.      Ability to take and record TPR and measure I&O;

3.      Ability to reinforce sterile dressing and change non-sterile dressing;

4.      Ability to follow the instructions related to exercise and positioning;’

5.      Ability to safely use the Hoyer lift;

6.      Ability to care for urinary, ostomy and Foley catheters;

7.      Ability to apply warm or cold compress, ace bandage and elastic stockings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Check one physical requirement, which applies to this position:

MEDIUM WORK:  Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  Patient’s home.

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