Home Health Aide (Martin, St. Lucie & Indian River County)

Job Description Summary:

The Home Health Aide is a paraprofessional member of the home care team who performs home care visits to coverage (Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River County) and works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Therapist. The  Home Health Aide also performs various personal care services as necessary to meet the patient’s needs. The Home Health Aide is responsible for observing patients, reporting these  observations and documenting observations and care performed while performing the home  care visit. The Home Health Aide will be assigned in a manner that promotes quality, continuity  and safety of a patient’s care.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:  

Responsibilities of the Home Health Aide include, but are not limited to, the following:  A. Providing personal care including:  

• Baths  
• Back rubs  
• Oral hygiene  
• Shampoos  
• Changing bed linen  
• Assisting patients with dressing, undressing and personal hygiene  
• Skin care to prevent breakdown  
• Assisting the patient with toileting activities  
• Keeping patient’s living area clean and orderly, as appropriate  
• May prepare a light meal during the visit.  
• Assisting in feeding the patient, if necessary.  
• Taking and recording oral, rectal and axillary temperatures, pulse, respiration and blood  pressure when 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).  
• Assisting patient in the self-administration of medication.   
• May do a load of patient’s laundry, as appropriate.  
• Meeting safety needs of patients and using equipment safely and properly (foot stools, side  rails, etc.).  
• Reporting on patient’s condition and significant changes to the assigned nurse.  
• Adhering to the Organization's documentation and care procedures and standards of  personal and professional conduct.  
• Follow all privacy policies of Health at Home's Infection Control protocols and maintain the  confidentiality of protected healthcare information (PHI).  

Position Qualifications:  

• Meets the 75 hour training requirement and competency in accordance with State and  Federal laws (see Medicare Condition of Participation CFR 484.80*).
• A Certified Nursing  Assistant (CNA) may be hired as a Home Health Aide but will be governed by the same  essential job functions as the Home Health Aide.  
• One (1) year of hands-on work experience is preferred. Can include experience in a  home care, hospital or assisted living setting.  
• At least 18 years of age.  
• Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care given.  5. Self-directing with the ability to work with little direct supervision.  
• Empathy for the needs of the ill, injured, frail and the impaired.  
• Possess and maintains current CPR certification. 
• Demonstrates tact, patience and good personal hygiene.  

*Effective August 14, 1990, a person who has successfully completed a state established or  other training program that meets the requirements of CFR 484.36(a) and a competency evalu ation program, or state licensure program that meets the requirements of CFR 484.36(b), or a  competency evaluation program or state licensure program that meets the requirements of S  484.36(b). 

Continuing Education Requirements: Organization personnel are expected to participate in appropriate  continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, organization personnel are  expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational  activities to enhance job related skills and abilities. All personnel must attend mandatory educational programs.

Environmental and Working Conditions:

Environmental Conditions: May be exposed to extremes of heat and cold in all weather  conditions. Must drive in various weather conditions on roads in varying degrees of repair.

Working Conditions: May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases. Contact  with patients under wide variety of circumstances. May be exposed or occasionally exposed to patient elements. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations. Travel required. OSHA exposure category:  

Category I — Position includes tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, tissues.  

Required Personal Protective Equipment: As required by working conditions.  

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and does not constitute a written or  implied contract of employment. The employee will be expected to perform other reasonably  related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and / or other management personnel.

Level 2 Background Screening Required
All applicants must be able to successfully pass a mandatory Level 2 background screening in accordance with Florida state regulations and agency requirements. This screening includes fingerprinting and a review of criminal history prior to employment.