CHHA Position

Title: Certified Home Health Aide

Reports To: Clinical Supervisor

Qualifications

• Current state certificate for Certified Home Health Aide.
• Minimum one year current experience in home health or related health care setting.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Current CPR Certification.
• Current and satisfactory report on pre-employment physical examination including Mantoux TB Test or chest X-ray as required by Agency policies and procedures.
• Must demonstrate competency by passing written Competency test and demonstrate competency in any service the aide is to perform prior to providing patient care.
• Must have a sympathetic attitude toward the sick.
• Able to walk, bend, stoop, and lift objects weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Able to read, write legibly, spell correctly and perform basic mathematics.
• Able to carry out directions.
• Be mature and able to deal effectively with the demands of the job .
• Possess good organizational skills.
• Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organizational requirements and is in good working order.
• Is able to use professional judgment in reporting and seeking assistance from both peers and supervisors.

Position Summary

The Home Health Aide is responsible for providing personal care and related services as assigned on care plan to preserve good patient hygiene and to promote a healthful and safe environment.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

The following is a representation of the major duties and responsibilities of this position. The Agency will make reasonable accommodations to allow otherwise qualified applicants with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Assists patients with personal hygiene such as skin, mouth, hair care and bathing.
• Assists patient in and out of bed and assists with ambulation using good body mechanics.
• Assists with prescribed exercises which patients and aides have been taught by appropriate health personnel.
• Prepare meals, including therapeutic diets, and assists patients with eating.
• Assists patients to the bathroom or in using commodes, bedpans or urinals.
• Performs household services that will facilitate the patient’s self-care at home and are necessary to prevent or postpone institutionalization.
• Assists patients with medications that are ordinarily self-administered. The home health aide shall not administer medications of any kind.
• Performs other activities taught by a health professional for a specific patient. These may include such services as changing colostomy bags, changing non-sterile dressings, taking vital signs, and non-sterile bowel and bladder hygiene care.
• Reports changes in the patient’s condition and needs to the supervising nurse or therapist.
• Completes records regarding services performed. Records/reports any treatment results, observations, changes in patient condition (both mental and physical), patient complaints and other pertinent information related to the condition of the patient. Records intake and output, vital signs & treatment signs as ordered.
• Administers all assigned personal care services as written by the Case Manager/RN and/or other interdisciplinary team members who are responsible for the supervision of the home health aide.
• Provides services that are ordered by the physician in the plan of care and that the aide is permitted to perform under State law.
• Promotes patient comfort according to the patient’s individual tolerance level per activity.
• Contacts the RN by telephone to report emergency situation and request special instructions.
• Performs simple household procedures essential to maintenance of proper health care at home, such as disposal of infectious secretions, cleaning of soiled linen, proper disposal of food, light housekeeping which does not prolong stay or interfere with patient care.
• Attends all mandatory inservice educational offerings.
• Must successfully complete 12 hours of inservices per year.
• Regularly attends and participates in scheduled case conferences and staff meetings.
• Attends and/or participates in Quality Improvement functions as directed by supervisor.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information at all times.
• Prevents the spread of infection by proper attention to Standard Precautions as they relate to individual patient needs.
• Follows established procedures for charge items and ensure that all charges are properly entered at the time of usage for billing.
• Utilizes patient care equipment and supplies safely, efficiently and effectively.
• Arrives on time for assigned visit and/or notifies office of canceled visit in a timely manner.
• Conforms to all agency policies and procedures.