POSITION SUMMARY:
To assist clients and their families in their homes with non-medical directed personal care and home management tasks, including support of clients with dressing, bathing, grooming, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, transportation, toileting, and mobility
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:
I. Education:
High school diploma or equivalent required plus the University of Vermont Health Network Home Health & Hospice PCA Training program (either 1 day for experienced recruits or full PCA training for recruits with no previous experience)
II. Experience:
Personal Care Attendants must successfully complete PCA coursework and pass the required exam.
III. License Requirements:
N/A
IV. General:
- Must demonstrate and maintain any required competency
- Able to speak, read and write in English
- Be honest, self-directed, possess initiative, display good judgment and a positive attitude toward daily activities
- Have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in written work
- Be able to work cooperatively and in a productive manner with organization’s employees, clients, customers and the general public
- Maintain satisfactory standing with the Adult Abuse Registry, Child Abuse & Neglect Registry, Vermont Criminal Information Center and OIG
- Be free from the illegal use and effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace
- Be able to carry out the functions of this job without risk of harm to the health and safety of self and others
- Hold a valid driver’s license and have a reliable, registered vehicle with insurance as required by the organization, and appropriate to position
WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Traveling may be required
2. May work in community based settings, and clients’ homes and outdoors
3. May work during non-business hours
4. May experience:
- Hostile and emotionally upset clients, family members, visitors and staff
- Stress due to a demanding profession
- An exposure to blood-borne pathogens
- A variety of environmental exposures such as inclement weather, animals, firearms, tobacco use, dust, and other client based activities and preferences
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Must walk, sit, stand, bend, lift and move intermittently during working hours
2. Must have the ability to push, pull and lift from the floor, up to a total of 50 pounds and be able to move with the weight, as to organization’s standards
3. Climbing-be able to navigate stairs of varying heights and degrees
4. Balancing-be able to maintain balance
5. Kneeling, crouching, stooping, twisting, reaching below waist level, reaching overhead and reaching torso level
6. Manual finger dexterity-will need dexterity to perform duties and use equipment
7. Visual acuity-will need sufficient eyesight to drive a car, use office equipment and perform duties
8. Auditory acuity- will need to assist individuals in person and by telephone
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:
I. Performance Standards:
- Communicate with clients to assure that client needs are addressed promptly, accurately, and with care; practice advanced communication skills, including as it applies to mental illness and advanced stages of dementia
- Assist in personal care of clients, such as dressing, bathing and personal hygiene
- Assist with toileting, such as providing incontinent care, use of bedpan, and urinal
- Perform light housekeeping tasks, such as straightening, dish washing, and laundry
- Grocery shop, plan and prepare basic meals for clients
- Provide mobility assistance such as cane/wheelchair/walker assistance and client transfer assistance using Hoyer and Sara lifts, track systems, pivots, and other technical devices
- Demonstrate awareness of spinal cord and neurological conditions and identify complications of autonomic dysreflexia
- Observe and report changes in client condition to office
- Prepare and maintain organization required records of client status and services performed, including Telephony if applicable
- Drive to and from client houses and record applicable mileage and travel time
- Carry out treatment as directed by supervisor according to the care plan
- Accompany clients to doctor’s offices, grocery shopping and on other necessary errands outside the home, providing transportation, assistance, and companionship according to program regulations
- Support basic living skills, support independence
- Assist in maintaining a safe environment for clients
- Provide assistance with advanced positioning with bedbound clients
- Participate in in-services and meetings of the organization
- Practice standard precautions in accordance with OSHA standards
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor. Higher level care may be taught by the supervisor on a case to case basis for that client only
II. Professional Accountability:
- Demonstrates a commitment to the mission and values of the organization
- Complies with all organization policies and procedures
- Demonstrates respectful and effective communication in all interactions
- Protects the privacy and confidentiality of clients, co-workers and organization’s operations
- Complies with organization’s policies to protect confidentiality, integrity, availability and security of all protected health information
- Organization’s security official
- Conducts him/herself in a safe manner by adhering to all safety practices, rules and standards
- Demonstrates a commitment to quality and proactively seeks to make improvements to systems and processes
- Reports to work on time, provides advance notice for time off, accurately reports time and attendance and appropriately manages paid time off (if applicable) in accordance with organization’s policy
- Demonstrates a commitment to integrity in work habits and use of organization’s resources
- Performs duties as assigned that may be outside his/her principle responsibilities
- Meets own learning needs. Participates in educational programs of the organization, including completion of all mandatory competencies, education or training
- Effectively communicates to transfer information, provide guidance and resolve conflicts
- Reports concerns and complaints regarding abuse, neglect and exploitation in accordance with Vermont State Law and the organization
- Enhance or improve organization’s services by participating in team meetings, projects and committees
- Contributes to a positive work environment and responds in a constructive manner to change
- Documents the provision care and services in accordance to organization’s policy
