Our Direct Care Workers are responsible for caring for patients in their homes, performing various tasks if patients and/or their families are unable to care for themselves. Direct care workers must value autonomy, individualized care, and family-centered care.
Education Requirements
Our home health staff must have a high school education or GED equivalent. Some direct care workers such as Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) are required to have at minimal 120 hours of additional education and training from a Dept. of Education certified institution.
In some instances,Home Health Aides (HHAs) are also required to have a minimal number of hours in training and education to provide home health services.
Certifications and Credentials
CNAs are unlicensed staff who perform task-based care, excluding medication administration. Certain nurse assistants can obtain certification.
HHAs also referred to as Personal Care Aides (PCAs) are unlicensed staff who perform task-based care, excluding medication administration; however, these workers are typically not certified.
Job Description
Direct Care Workers work within patients’ homes reporting back a facility or base office where they received their assignment. Assignments are created in accordance to the Patient’s Plan of Care and are approved by the patient’s physician. After receiving their assignment, they report to patients’ home to perform the specified home health care services as ordered by the physician.
Our staff assist the patient in the activities of daily living (ADLs) and provide basic routine care; such as assistance in eating, bathing, brushing teeth, medication reminders, changing dressing, checking a patient’s temperature and pulse rate, light housekeeping and ambulation.
Direct Care Workers perform the following duties:
- Taking vital signs
- Provide client care according to approved Plan of Care
- Assist clients with personal care and hygiene
- Assist with ambulation, transfers and range of motion
- Utilize infection control measures
- Observe and report the condition of the patient/client
- Report to the supervising RN any concerns the patient may have
- Assist in providing a safe environment for client
Direct Care Workers are responsible for:
- Perform patient related procedures
- Report concerns/ findings to registered nurse
- Comply with all documentation and record keeping requirements