Job Description

The home health aide is a paraprofessional member of the home care team who works under the supervision of a registered nurse or therapist and performs various personal care services as necessary to meet the patient’s needs. The home health aide is responsible for observing patients, reporting those observations and documenting observations and care performed.

The home health aide will be assigned by a Registered Nurse in a manner that promotes quality, continuity and safety of a patient’s care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Responsibilities of the home health aide include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Providing hands-on personal care including:

• Baths

• Back rubs

• Oral hygiene

• Shampoos

• Changing bed linen

• Assisting patients with dressing and undressing

• Skin care to prevent breakdown

• Assisting the patient with toileting activities

• Keeping the patient's living area clean and orderly, as appropriate.

• Planning and preparing nutritious meals.

• Assisting in feeding the patient, if necessary.

• Taking and recording oral, rectal, and axillary temperatures, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure as ordered (with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency).

• Assisting in ambulation and exercise according to the plan of care.

• Performing range of motion and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service as ordered (with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency).

• Performing simple procedures as an extension to nursing services as ordered (with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency).

• Assisting patients in self-administration of medication.

• Doing patient’s laundry, as appropriate

• Meeting the safety needs of patients and using equipment safely and properly (foot stools, side raise, etc. )

• Reporting the patient's condition and significant changes to the assigned nurse.

• Adhering to the Organization’s documentation policy and procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

Competency Statement(s)

• Meets the training requirements and successfully completes:

• A training and competency evaluation program that meets 484.80 (b) and ©; or

• A competency evaluation that meets the requirements of 484.80 ©; or

• A nurse aide training and competency evaluation approved by the state as meeting the requirements of 483.151 through 483.154 and is currently in good standing on the state nurse aide registry; or the requirements of a state licensure program that meets the provision of 484.80 (b) and (c).

• At least 18 years of age

• Ability to read and follow instructions and document care given.

• Self -directing with the ability to work with little direct supervision.

• Empathy for the needs of the ill, injured, frail, and impaired.

• Possess and maintains current CPR certification

• Demonstrates tact, patience and good personal hygiene.

• Licensed driver with automobile that is insured in accordance with Organization requirements and is in good working order.

JOB LIMITATIONS:

The home health aide will not function in any manner viewed as the practice of nursing according to the Louisiana State Nurse Practice Act.

• Specifically, the home health aide will not administer medications, take physician orders, or perform procedures requiring the training, knowledge and skill of a nurse, such as sterile techniques.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Education: High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED)

Experience: Six months to one-year related experience

Computer Skills: Google Suite (preferred); Microsoft Office

Certificates & Licenses: Home Health Aide Certification preferred.