Home Health Aide

Major Responsibilities:

• Makes home visits to specified patients and provides personal care according to the individual plan of care developed by the registered nurse.
• Performs routine personal care activities for patients, which includes but not limited to; bathing, dressing and undressing, skin, nail, hair, osmotic, and simple wound care, shaving, oral hygiene, and care of catheter and drainage bag.
• Responsible for obtaining patient's temperature, pulse and respiratory rate and for obtaining patient's fluid intake and output. Documents/updates patient's care and health information.
• Assists patients with transfer in and out of bed, chair, bathroom, and/or wheelchair and with range of motion exercises of upper and lower extremities. Assists patient in using bedpan, urinal or commode, and in turning and repositioning.
• Assists patients with planning and preparing meals, feeding and testing of his/her urine for sugar and acetone.
• Performs non-routine personal care activities for patients which require additional instruction by a registered nurse prior to providing care; bowel cares, which include, obtaining patient's blood pressure, assisting patient with testing of blood sugars, and performing other responsibilities approved by the agency.
• Provides home management activities, which are medically necessary and incidental to maintain and/or facilitate patient's health, which includes but not limited to; laundering patient's bed linens and/or personal clothing, light cleaning in essential areas of the home used during personal care services, washing dishes used in meal preparation, and/or shopping for groceries and medication, where appropriate.
• Communicates with physicians and other members of the health care team. Documents and communicates accurate and timely information regarding patient conditions and patient/scheduling issues.
• Acts in a prompt, friendly, and professional manner when dealing with patients, family members, caregivers and staff.
• Participates in chart audits and continuous quality improvement activities as requested.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Nurse Aide in good standing with the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry with eligibility to work in home health agencies and hospices, and
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providerscertification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• A valid drivers license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Education Required:

• Advanced training beyond High School that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in Nursing Assistant.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 1 year of experience in providing patient care within a home health care setting including experiences in working with elderly, convalescent, and/or disabled persons.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Must be listed in the state of Wisconsin Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide registry or be eligible for Home Health Aide competency testing. Maintains active inclusion in the state of Wisconsin Nurse Assistant/Home Health Registry and provides verification as requested by the agency.
• Must have satisfactorily completed Agency's training and/or orientation program.
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Must possess maturity and ability to deal effectively with the demands of the job, showing a sympathetic attitude toward care of the sick.
• Must be able to follow specific instructions for patient care. Must prioritize tasks for efficient use of visit time.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Must be able to:
• - lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist.
• - lift up to 20 lbs over the head.
• - carry up to 40 lbs a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
• - push/pull with 30 lbs of force.
• - perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs with a second person present.
• Travel is required, therefore, may be exposed to severe weather and other adverse travel conditions.
• Will be exposed to the following hazards on a frequent basis: mechanical, electrical, chemical, blood and body fluids. Will be required to wear protective clothing and equipment as needed.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.