HHA or PCA in Southwick, Massachusetts at Colony Care at Home INC

Provides support to clients and is responsible for performing activities of daily living within a home setting, in accordance with the client's plan of care. Responsible for supervision for safety and assistance to the client in activities of daily living to keep the client in their home.

This position requires caring for the most fragile of clients; most of the time, the position involves full transfer assistance with the potential for a Hoyer lift in the home.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with bathing, dressing, and toileting as listed on the client's care plan.
• Assist with toileting, including use of a bedpan, commode, or toilet.
• Conduct, assist, and/or supervise client with transfers and ambulation, including use of cane, walker, and wheelchair.
• Provide routine skin care. May assist self-directing clients in applying nonprescription topical medications to the skin surface.
• Range of motion (ROM) and muscle strengthening exercises to maintain an optimal level of functioning.
• Turning and repositioning of the client(s).
• Performs all tasks of light housekeeping: cleaning bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom; sweeping/mopping/vacuuming, dusting, laundry, washing dishes; taking out trash; and changing linens.
• Shopping, errands, or accompanying a client to doctors’ appointments as needed.
• Meal prep as needed with the ability to serve simple modified diets according to instructions.
• Assist with feeding as necessary.
• Assist self-directing clients with medication reminders.
• Refill the client’s prescription at the local pharmacy as specified on the plan of care.
• Report to the supervisor any changes in the client's behavior.
• May not transport clients in their vehicle unless prior approval from the supervisor is obtained.
• Maintains professional and polite communication with clients and family members, as well as office staff at all times.
• Completes daily documentation log and log notes.
• Timely and accurate telephony clock-in/out to assignments
• Adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy policies and procedures. Maintain confidentiality of all information about clients, families, and employees.
• Maintain a professional appearance at all times.
• Complete 16 hours of in-services annually.
• Remain compliant by providing up-to-date credentials for continued employment.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Requires an active Massachusetts C.N.A. license and a 75-hour Home Health Aide certificate, or completion of an approved 60-hour PCA course.
• Requires a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow the client’s plan of care.
• Demonstrates competence in performing the necessary skills and only performs those skills on the plan of care.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• 0-2 years of related experience.
• Must have a phone or provide an alternate means to be able to communicate with the office daily.
• Preferred high school diploma or equivalency.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential job functions of this position. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be considered.

• Occasional use of hands, wrists, and fingers and lifting or moving up to 50 lbs. may be required.
• Movements such as stooping, crouching, bending, kneeling, climbing, and reaching are required.
• This position requires spending a majority of the workday standing and walking, with occasional sitting.
• May need to do a full transfer of the client up to 200 lbs. using safe body mechanics.

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Standing: 20% to 25% of the time
• Sitting: 50% to 80% of the time
• Walking: 20% to 25% of the time
• Balancing: 20% to 25% of the time
• Stooping: 5% to 10% of the time
• Kneeling: 5% to 10% of the time.
• Crouching: 5% to 10% of the time.
• Reaching/working overhead: 10% to 15% of the time
• Climbing: 1% to 2% of the time
• Pushing: 10-20 pounds, 5% to 10% of the time
• Pulling: 10-20 pounds, 5% to 10% of the time
• Lifting/carrying: 10-20 pounds, 10% to 15% of the time