Job Summary

A person, who under professional supervision, provides assistance with nutritional and environmental support, personal hygiene, feeding and dressing.

Qualifications

• Has successfully completed one of the following:
1. Demonstrated competency by passing a competency exam developed by the Agency or other entity which meets the PA regulatory requirements
2. A training program developed by the Agency that meets all the PA state requirements
3. A training program meeting the training standards by virtue of the agency’s participation as a provider in a Medicaid Waiver or other publically funded program providing home & community based services
4. Another program identified by the Department of Health (DOH) by subsequent publication in the PA Bulletin or on the DOH website
• Shows an interest and concern for people, good judgment and tact in dealing with the sick
• Practices good hygiene and is neat in personal appearance
• Speaks, reads, and writes English
• Must have criminal background check

Personal Care Assists With:

• Bath (tub, shower or bed)
• Oral hygiene
• Grooming and care of hair
• Ordinary care of nails
• Routine skin care/lotion massage
• Positioning and turning of patents that cannot assist self in bed and chair
• Elimination
• Assist with eating, dressing walking and toileting
• Remind patient to take medications

Homemaking Assists With:

• Meal planning and preparation in accordance with complex and modified diets
• Feeding the patient
• Linen change (occupied and unoccupied)
• Laundry (patient’s only)
• Light housekeeping; washing dishes, clean kitchen, dust & vacuum, only those rooms the patient uses
• List needed supplies and grocery shopping

PCWs Are Required To:

• Follow universal precautions whenever giving any aspect of patient care
• Maintain confidentiality
• Perform ONLY those functions specified for each individual patient on the Plan of Care (POC)
• Respond to the physical, emotional and development needs of patients
• Follow emergency procedures in the event of any incident, e.g., accident, injury or significant change in patient’s condition

Essential Administrative Functions:

• Follow patient rights at all times
• Record each activity performed on each case on a daily basis
• Report any incident or change in condition of patient or environment immediately
• Submit Daily Activity Sheets and record accurately on a timely basis (BI-WEEKLY)
• Follow instructions, is punctual and is at work as scheduled
• Follow all appropriate agency policies
• Attend in-service education annually per agency policy
• Provide all information required for the maintenance of her/his personnel record as per state regulations
• Show interest, asks questions and seek help as indicated; is receptive to supervision
• Develop relationships and is cooperative with patient, family and supervisor
• Maintain appropriate appearance
• Is productive and uses time efficiently
• Follows instructions, is punctual and attendance is acceptable
• Cooperates with supervisor and with patient/family
• Is self-reliant and plans appropriately
• Other duties as are reasonably assigned

Job Summary

The homemaker is a paraprofessional employee, trained to provide, home maintenance services for patients under the direct supervision of the nursing supervisor. Homemaking services include dietary management, household services essential to the patient’s health and wellbeing, and provision of and instruction in reporting of signs, symptoms, and/or changes in the patient’s condition. The homemaker is assigned to a patient by the coordinator and is given a written assignment sheet.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of at least 40 hours of generic training to be completed by the end of the 6th month of employment (can be done by shadowing/precepting) or verification of homemaking services provided in the community equivalent to 40 hours
• Use of an automobile with possession of liability insurance is desirable
• Must be able to read, write and follow instructions in English
• Selected on the basis of such factors as: an interest in people, tact, dependability in employment, neatness in appearance/practices, good personal hygiene, and good judgment
• One (1) year of work experience
• Must have a criminal background check

Responsibilities

• Shopping with an effort to economize and preparation of nutritious and appetizing meals
• Assisting with simple health care routines such as reminders to maintain diet restriction, medication regimen, and recommended exercises and cueing to take meds
• Observation, and feedback to the coordinator/nursing supervisor on patient’s behavior, mood, and adjustment in the home
• Being supportive and encouragement during periods of loneliness, depressions, bereavement etc.
• Providing routine housekeeping tasks, which are required
• Caring for clothing, washing, drying, folding and putting away
• Follows the Plan of Care (POC) for housekeeping tasks
• Records observations and tasks and signs each entry on the appropriate form for each visit made
• Communicates on a weekly basis or more often as necessary with the nursing supervisor
• Immediately reports emergency situations by phone to nursing supervisor or office
• Keeps an accurate time and mileage report
• Follows assignments and regulations
• Follows specific office orders for each patient
• Uses homemaker policy manual as guidelines
• Works within the organizational channel of authority and knows the area of responsibility of all other team members
• Wears appropriate clothing and ID badge when at work
• Confirming on a weekly basis, the scheduling of visits with the Supervisor/Director, to coordinate necessary visits with other personnel
• Notifying the Agency of absences due to illness, emergency leave, normal vacation periods, or special professional meetings, which will affect agreed service with the Agency

Job Summary

The Companion is a paraprofessional, providing visitation, support and companionship in the home for patients under the direct supervision of a qualified supervisor. Companion services include support, encouragement, companionship, respite breaks for family or caregivers, and provision of and instruction in reporting of signs, symptoms, and/or changes in the patient’s condition. The Companion is assigned to a patient by the coordinator and is given a written assignment sheet.

Qualifications

• High School graduate with at least 1 year experience as a companion or life working experience
• Complete an Agency training/orientation program
• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Get along well with people and exercise good judgment
• Use of an automobile with possession of liability insurance is desirable
• Must be able to read, write in English and follow instructions
• Must have a criminal background check

Responsibilities

• Provide respite breaks for family or caregivers
• Provide assistance with reading and writing correspondence and publications
• Observation and feedback to the coordinator/nursing supervisor on patient’s behavior, mood, and adjustment in the home
• Notifies superior of any safety issues
• Being supportive and encouragement during periods of loneliness, depressions, bereavement etc.
• Follows the care plan for tasks
• Records observations and tasks and signs each entry on the appropriate form for each visit made
• Communicates on a weekly basis or more often as necessary with the nursing supervisor
• Immediately reports emergency situations by phone to nursing supervisor or office
• Keeps an accurate time and mileage report
• Follows assignments and regulations
• Follows specific office orders for each patient
• Uses policy manual as guidelines
• Works within the organizational channel of authority and knows the area of responsibility of all other team members
• Wears appropriate clothing and ID badge when at work
• Confirming on a weekly basis, the scheduling of visits with the Supervisor/Director, to coordinate necessary visits with other personnel
• Notifying the Agency of absences due to illness, emergency leave, normal vacation periods, or special professional meetings, which will affect agreed service with the Agency