Certified Nurse Aide

Overview

The personal care attendant is an employee, trained to provide personal care and related services in the home. He/She functions under the direction, instruction and supervision of the Director or the Assistant Director of Patient Services and/or the RN Team Leader.

• Completion of a basic aide training program consistent with state requirements, which include hospital experience and for which a certificate has been obtained.
• Working knowledge of the home health care program and previous experience providing home health visits preferred.
• Ability to read and write consistent with job requirements.
• Has received the appropriate PCA training related to the following:
  Methodology of assisting clients to achieve maximum self-reliance;
  Principles of nutrition and meal preparation;
  Principles of the aging process;
  Understanding the emotional problems of illness & long term home care;
  Procedure for maintaining a clean, healthful and pleasant environment;
  That all changes in client condition must be reported to the nurse;
  Maintaining the ethics and confidentiality of client care;
  Cooperate with the health care team;
  Providing and maintaining appropriate and required records;
  Comprehends the basics of personal care, housekeeping and meal preparation;
  Shows an interest and concern for people;
  Practices good hygiene and is neat in personal appearance.
• Freedom from health problems that may be injurious to client, self and co-workers and presents the required documents that indicate such.
• Appropriate work experience;
  Possession of the emotional and mental maturity necessary for establishing and maintaining a good work relationship with the client, client’s family, and the personnel of the Agency.
• Reliability of transportation;
  Valid TN Driver’s License;
  Auto insurance as required by agency;
  Safe driving record.

• Helps the client to maintain good personal hygiene.
• Assists in maintaining a healthful, safe environment.
• Plans and prepares nutritious meals. Provides for patient/client shopping needs and completes other out of home errands when instructed to do so by the supervisor.
• Assists client with ambulation.
• Assists with certain treatments as ordered by the physician and approved and supervised by the nurse.
• Assists as needed with rehabilitative processes.
• Encourages the client to become as independent as possible according to the nursing care plan.
• Attempts to promote client’s mental alertness through involvement in activities of interest.
• Gives simple emotional and psychological support to the client and other members of the household.
• Establishes a relationship with client and family, which transmits trust and confidentiality.
• Prepares a report of his/her visit on the day it is performed and incorporates it into the clinical record weekly.
• Reports any changes in the client’s mental or physical condition or in the home situation to her/his immediate supervisor.
• Carries out her assignment as instructed by the Supervisor and reports when he/she is unable to do so.
• Works with personnel of other agencies in the client’s care as directed by the supervisor.
• Performs routine housekeeping tasks as related to a safe and comfortable environment for the client, according to the Plan of Care.
• Follows universal precautions when giving any aspects of client care.
• Maintains confidentiality of information related to business practices, business activities, and personnel.
• Performs ONLY those functions as specified for each individual client.
• Responds to the physical, emotional and developmental needs of clients.
• Follows emergency procedures in the event of any incident, e.g., accident, injury, or significant change in client’s condition.
• Attends team conferences when directed. Participates and offers input regarding the patient’s care and progress toward individual patient goals.
• Understands and assures adherence to all organizational policies, procedures, and processes (administrative, personnel, clinical, etc.). Seeks guidance and further clarification of organizational policies, procedures, and processes when uncertainty/confusion arises.
• Provides input in the evaluation of other team member’s job performance upon request.
• Attends in-services, seminars, or other meetings as assigned by the immediate supervisor or other management.
• Participates willingly with special projects and overtime work when requested.
• Maintains a professional attitude when working with staff, fostering the team philosophy and team environment for all personnel.
• Always provides proper notification and/or advance notice for absence or tardiness without abuse.
• Does not allow personal affairs to interfere with scheduled work time.
• Maintains a professional appearance at all times.