Home Health Aide at St. John's United in Billings, MT

DEPARTMENT: Home Health & Hospice

POSITION TITLE: Home Health Aide

RESPONSIBLE TO: Administrator

EXPOSURE LEVEL: Category I

GRADE: Grade 19

EXEMPTION STATUS: Non-exempt ______________________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY: The Home Health Aide is a paraprofessional member of the interdisciplinary group who works under the supervision of a registered nurse or therapist and performs various services for a patient as necessary to meet the patient's personal needs and to promote comfort. The Home Health Aide is responsible for observing the patient, reporting these observations and documenting observations and care performed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Direct Care • Assists clients with bathing functions according to resident care plan and as directed (ie. Bedbath, tub, or showerbath, etc) • Assists clients with daily dental and mouth care (ie. Brushing teeth/dentures, oral hygiene, special mouthcare, etc) • Assists clients with undressing/dressing as necessary • Assists clients with hair care functions (ie. Combing, brushing, shampooing, etc) • Assists clients with nail care (ie. Clipping, trimming, and cleaning the finger/toenails) • Assists clients with shaving (female clients- facial hair, under arms, legs, etc. as instructed. Male clients- facial hair) • Keep clients dry (ie. Change gown clothing, linen, etc. when it becomes wet or soiled) • Position clients in correct and comfortable positions for pressure relief • Assists clients with bowel and bladder functions (ie. Take to bathroom, offer portable commode, change Prevails, Foley catheter care, etc.) • Assists clients in preparing for social programs, activities, and appointments (ie. Church, parties, visitors, doctor’s appointments, etc) • Assists clients with lifting, turning, moving, positioning, and transporting clients into and out of beds, chairs, bathtubs, wheelchairs, and lifts including the use of transfer devices such as transfer boards, etc • Assists clients to walk with or without self- help devices as instructed • Provides eye and ear care for clients (ie. Cleaning eyeglasses, hearing aides, etc). • Assists clients to self-administer medications as directed • Answers resident call lights promptly and ensure that clients who are unable to call for help are checked on regularly while working in Long Term Care setting.
• Assist with the care of the dying resident, maintaining hope, dignity, and love for the resident at all times. • Provide post-mortem care as instructed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Housekeeping and general cleaning  Changes soiled linen and bedding as required.  Disposes of soiled or contaminated items in accordance with SJU policy on bloodborne pathogens  Make beds as needed  Put extra blankets on the beds as requested  Ensure clients have fresh drinking water during each care delivery  Keeps bed linens tight to avoid wrinkles from forming under the resident  Performs general cleaning of equipment used  Light housekeeping and laundry as necessary

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Communication/Reporting  Takes vital signs on clients and properly records each client’s vital signs as assigned (ie. blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations, pain)  Observes clients well being including changes in behavior, change in vital signs, etc. and reports such changes to the appropriate supervisor.  Maintains intake and output records as instructed  Weighs and measures clients as instructed  Participates in and receives the nursing report on assigned shift or case load  Maintains the confidentiality of all resident care information according to the St. John’s Policy on Confidentiality and Resident Rights.  Reports suspected abuse of a client or inappropriate behavior toward a client to the nurse or therapist immediately

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Dining/Eating  Assists clients in preparation for meals (take to the bathroom, wash hands, comb hair, take to/from the dining room, etc.)  Prepare or assist with nutritious meals and prescribed diets; includes clean up of kitchen area  Serves food and assists with feeding as needed (cutting foods, feeding, etc)  Records or charts the client’s food intake  Serve between meal and bed time snacks as desired by the client  Perform after meal care (remove dishes, wash face and hands, take to the bathroom, brush teeth, clean dentures, etc.).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Safety • Obeys safety rules of St. John’s United • Identifies, reports, and/or corrects obvious safety hazards • Attends mandatory safety in-services • Utilizes proper body mechanics when transferring clients • Follows established policies and procedures regarding exposure to blood/body fluids Wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., gait belts, mechanical lifts, personal protective equipment)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Mission/Customer Service Supports the growth and actively engages in the Eden Alternative philosophy, including a work environment with plants and animals.

Follows the St. John’s Guidelines for Customer Service *Let the Mission be your guide *Make eye contact and smile *Greet & welcome each and every person *Seek out personal contact *Provide immediate service-listen & act *Use appropriate body language at all times *Be gracious to each & every person

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Employee Responsibilities Follows policy and procedures on annual TB testing Follows policy and procedures on annual influenza vaccinations Attends all mandatory in-services Attends and participates in scheduled training and educational classes to maintain current certifications in accord with the State of Montana Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or person in charge of area where work is being done.

REQUIREMENTS: Minimum Requirements:
 Must be able to read, write and understand the English language  Must possess high school diploma or GED  One year prior experience in a human service or health care setting
 Must possess a current Montana State Nurses Aide Certification  Must possess current State of Montana Home Health Aide Certification or obtain Home Health Aide Certification through SJU  All applicants must pass Home Health & Hospice written proficiency examination and skills test  Must possess current and valid driver’s license and pass the screening process completed by SJU current insurance company  Current CPR certification  Completion of training course in First Aid

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required:
 Skill in observation of human behaviors or changes of condition  Ability to understand written and verbal communication. Ability to interact effectively and professionally with clients, family members, and coworkers  Ability to work independently and in a team  Ability to lift and manipulate heavy objects  Ability to understand and follow safety policies and procedures  Ability to use various health care supplies and equipment, including blood pressure devices, thermometers, wheelchairs, lifts, etc  Ability to understand resident charts and care plans  Ability to relate to and work with the ill, elderly, disabled, emotionally upset, and at times, combative people  Ability to respond to clients needs in a timely and professional manner, recognizing the resident’s rights  Ability to deal with stressful situations (ie. Death & Dying)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Requires heavy physical work more than 70% of the time, including lifting up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally, standing, pushing, pulling, lifting, walking, and bending for prolonged periods of time

WORKING CONDITIONS:  Work involves some exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, fumes, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises  Work involves frequent exposure to hazards, bloodborne pathogens, or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions  Health care environment or home setting  Work involves exposure to plants and animals within the environment

The examples of essential job functions identify the major duties and requirements for the performance of this job and do not identify all duties, responsibilities and requirements performed by positions in this class.