Personal Care Aide

PCA

PURPOSE:
Provide resident assistance with the activities of daily living and other service tasks as assigned in a dignified and respectful manner.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or general education (GED); or related experience and/or training.

• At least one year's experience with the elderly preferred.

• Must successfully complete the PA State Personal Care Training Program.

• Must successfully complete all specified training programs.

• Able to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.

• Able to write simple correspondence.

• Able to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees.

• Able to work with others to build an effective team approach to care duties.

• Able to work various schedules and shifts as needed.

RESIDENT RIGHTS:

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

• Ensure that you treat all residents fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect.

• Ensure that all nursing is provided in privacy.

• Knock before entering the resident's room.

• Report all grievances and complaints made by the resident to the Nurse Supervisor or Administrator.

• Report all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident's property immediately to the Nurse Supervisor and Administrator.

• Honor the resident's refusal of treatments request. Report such requests to your supervisor.

• Communicate respectfully and appropriately, respect culture differences among residents and staff.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit and shift.

• Required to attend all Staff Meetings per the Employee Handbook.

• Report any potential or actual safety hazards to Maintenance and Supervisor.

• Report all complaints and grievances made by resident to Supervisor and Administration.

• Must work as a team member and well with all coworkers.

• Participate and receiving report/giving report to oncoming shift.

• Follow established policies concerning exposure of blood/body fluids, infection prevention and infection control.

• Assist residents with daily dental and mouth care (i.e. brushing teeth/dentures, oral hygiene, special mouth care, etc.).

• Assist residents with bath functions (i.e. bed bath, tub or shower bath, etc.) as directed.

• Assist with dressing/undressing as necessary.

• Assist with hair care functions (i.e. combing, brushing, shampooing, etc.).

• Assist residents with nail care on shower days and PRN (i.e. clipping, trimming, and cleaning finger/toenails).

• Shave residents daily or shower days. (As requested.)

• Assist with maintaining resident's skin integrity by performing incontinence care as necessary, assist resident with bowel and bladder functions (i.e. take to bathroom, offer bedpan/urinal, bedside commode, etc.).

• Must make sure bed is properly made avoid having wrinkles in resident's bed.

• Must ensure residents call bells are within reach and are answered in appropriate amount of time.

• Check on residents frequently to ensure needs are met according to plan of care.

• Assist with care of dying resident by providing compassionate and supportive care to resident and family as appropriate.

• Observe and report the presence of pressure areas and skin breakdowns to prevent decubitus ulcers (bedsores).

• Report all skin tears, bruises and blisters to immediate charge nurse.

• Provide daily indwelling catheter care.

• Provide daily perineal care.

• Assist with application of slings, braces, and assistive devices.

• Turn all medications found in the resident's room/possession over to the Medication Tech/Nurse Supervisor.

• Basic communication skills how to speak and communicate respectfully.

• Basic knowledge of normal and abnormal aging sensory changes and relationship to resident safety.

• Basic knowledge of providing care to residents with dementia aggressive assaultive behavior to ensure resident and staff safety including wandering behavior.

• Serve food trays. Assist feeding as indicated (i.e. ensure correct food tray, consistency for correct resident, cutting foods, feeding, assist in dining room supervision, etc.).

• Assist residents with identifying food arrangements (i.e. informing resident with sight problem of foods that are on his/her tray, where it is located, if it is hot/cold, etc.).

• Provides activities of daily living assistance to the residents as directed from each residents' service plan (RASP)

• Provides verbal encouragement and support to the residents

• Develop a positive, caring relationship with each resident recognizing and celebrating their unique life history and accomplishments.

• Communicates with Wellness Director and other departments when a residents' needs have changed

• Assist in engaging the resident in meaningful activities including leading a program as able.

SAFETY AND SANITATION:

• Monitor your assigned personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.

• Ensure that established departmental policies and procedures, including dress codes, are followed by your assigned nursing personnel.

• Ensure that the adequate supply of personal protective equipment is on hand and are readily available to personnel who performs procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.

• Ensure that your unit's resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.

• Ensure that your assigned personnel follow established handwashing and hand hygiene technique in the administering of nursing care procedures.

• Ensure that all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (i.e. back brace, mechanical lifts, proper lifting technique, etc.) when lifting or moving residents.

• Have the knowledge of what is in the MSDS binders, report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of teamwork and the team concept.

• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.

• Must be able to follow written and oral instructions.

• Must not pose a threat to the health or safety of their individuals in the workplace.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

• Must be able to function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with others.

• Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the blood and/or body fluids.

• Must be willing to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

• Must perform all additional tasks assigned to you by supervisor.