Personal Care Aide (PCA)

 $12.00 starting wage 

SUMMARY OF POSITION FUNCTIONS

After successful completion of the state approved training program, the employee will function in the position of Personal Care Attendant (PCA). The PCA provides limited nursing related services to residents at the direction of their supervisor, and in a manner consistent with each resident’s comprehensive assessment and plan of care.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

·        Provides direct care to residents to improve or maintain the resident’s abilities according to the president’s plan of care. Seeks assistance of charge nurse when unsure of assignment, procedure, or situation.

·        Receives and completes all resident care assignments and other activities as assigned by Charge Nurse.

·        Provides delivery of care in a compassionate, quality manner with kindness, respect, and dignity.

·        Assists in activities of daily living (ADLs) including bathing, grooming, dressing, mobility, transferring, and feeding of assigned residents by providing set-up assistance, verbal prompts, physical support, or more extensive assistance as more fully described below:

·                  Bathing – Assists transporting resident to tub or shower, adjusts water temperature, washes/rinses resident, and always dries body thoroughly with clean towels while maintaining privacy for resident . Gives complete baths at frequency stated in the Nursing Care Procedures. Gives bath as necessary to each resident when bed linen and/or clothing is wet or soiled. Provides extra care to the skin of incontinent and bedfast residents, and those who have been sitting in chairs for periods of time.

·                  Dressing – Locates, selects, and obtains clothing for resident. Assists residents with snaps, zippers, and buttons after donning clothes or removing them. Recognizes clothing in need of repair and communicates clothing needs to resident and to Unit Charge Nurse.

·                  Elimination/Toileting – Promptly assists resident to bathroom according to toileting schedule or promptly brings clean bedpan or urinal. Opens, removes clothing in preparation, cleans resident if resident is unable to clean self, adjusts clothing, cleans resident’s and own hands. Measures and records output as directed by Unit Charge Nurse and plan of care. Provides catheter care according to facility procedure and infection control policies.

·                  Mobility – Assists resident or provides range of motion exercises to all joints. Provides weight-bearing assistance or physical support for ambulating. Pushes wheelchair or Geri-chair if needed. Maintains safe environment for mobile resident by removing obstacles, inspecting equipment, and reporting defects to Unit Charge Nurse. Monitors resident progress toward treatment goals and reports responses to Unit Charge Nurse.

·                  Transfer – Positions resident for transfer. Uses correct body mechanics and transfer technique and equipment according to plan of care, resident ability, and self-ability. Obtains assistance of another staff member if needed before starting to transfer a resident.

·                  Eating – Provides set-up assistance for meal tray. Opens, pours, unwraps, and cuts food if resident is unable to help self. If indicated, actively encourages residents to chew, eat, and swallow. Socializes with resident during mealtimes. Assists or cleans resident after meals. Serves nourishment and snacks as ordered. Documents and reports fluid intake and output accurately. Prepares resident for meals including washing face and hands, repositioning, and applying a clothing protector as instructed. Reports any change in resident’s appetite to supervisor and watches all diabetics carefully.

·                  Grooming – Trims, shampoos, and combs hair of residents as instructed. Cleans and soaks fingers and toenails (as instructed) before trimming. Assists residents with oral hygiene as instructed.

·        Provides care in a manner that protects and promotes resident rights, dignity, privacy, confidentiality, self- determination and active participation. Offers and respects resident choices in matters of daily routine. Refers to residents by proper names unless resident requests otherwise. Avoids use of all pet names. Handles all resident property with respect.

·        Observes and immediately reports to Charge Nurse, unusual occurrences, significant changes in resident’s physical or behavioral condition, patterns of decreased social interaction, angry or sad behaviors, and refusals of treatment.

·        Records accurate, legible information about resident care, conditions, and observations made in appropriate sections of resident records.

·        Regularly communicates throughout shift with Charge Nurse about assigned residents.

·        Monitors physical environment for safety or fire hazards, malfunctioning equipment including call lights, and corrects or reports potential problems to housekeeping and maintenance immediately and to Charge Nurse. Cleans up all spills immediately.

·        Immediately reports fall/injury of a resident or self to Charge Nurse.

·        Participates in fire and disaster drills. In the event of an emergency, carries out assigned duties to assure resident safety.

·        Performs all nursing procedures in the way in which he/she has been trained, directed and approved by instructor/supervisor.

·        Washes hands before and after taking care of every resident.

·        Changes positions of bedfast residents at least every two (2) hours, using good body alignment and anti- contracture devices as instructed.

·        Cleans and stores equipment and personal care items. When caring for a resident, responsible for keeping the whole unit clean and in good order (includes making beds and cleaning mattresses).

·        Passes clean water pitchers, glasses, and ice water as scheduled providing each resident with an individual pitcher with a lid.

·        Responds to call lights and buzzers promptly and courteously considering each light as an emergency until answered.

·        Ensures report has been given regarding his/her residents at the beginning of each shift

·        Complies with the property’s privacy practices and procedures related to resident and employee records and all state and federal privacy practices and procedures related to resident and employee records and all state and federal privacy laws as outlined by HIPAA.

·        Complies with and adheres to the appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required by the Bloodborne Pathogens Standards. Protective Personal Equipment (PPE), including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, extremities, protective clothing, and protective shield and barriers, will be provided, used, and maintained.

·        Demonstrates teamwork and prompt and regular attendance to work to ensure that quality care and services are provided to the patients we serve

Note: Essential job functions are subject to modification/change as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity.