Home Health Aide - Home Care

The VITAS Home Health Aide (HHA) is a non-exempt employee, who is trained to provide personal care and services to hospice patients to augment care given by family members or other caregivers.

ASSIGNED

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs only those *personal care* activities contained in a written assignment. Home Health Aide (HHA) assignments may include:

* Home Health Aide (HHA) helps the patient to maintain good personal hygiene.

* Home Health Aide (HHA) plans and prepare meals. Feeds or assist with feeding the patient when needed.

* Home Health Aide (HHA) assists the patient ambulation.

* Home Health Aide (HHA) assists with certain treatments as ordered by the physician, and taught and supervised by the nurse for a specific patient including: assist with the change of the colostomy bag; assist with the use of a walker or wheelchair; reinforcement of a dressing; assist with prescribed range of motion exercises; assist with prescribed ice cap or collar; measure intake and output of fluids; and assist with medications that are ordinarily self-administered.

* Home Health Aide (HHA) reads and records temperature, pulse and respiration.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE HOME HEALTH AIDE (HHA) NOT INCLUDED IN A WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT MAY INCLUDE:

* Home Health Aide (HHA) assists in maintaining a safe and healthy environment.

* Home Health Aide (HHA) promotes the patient’s mental alertness through involvement in activities of interest.

* Home Health Aide (HHA) provides simple emotional and psychological support to the patient, family, and other caregivers.

* Home Health Aide (HHA) reports any changes in the patient’s mental or physical condition or home situation to the VITAS Nurse and members of the interdisciplinary team.

* Home Health Aide (HHA) teaches basic personal care to the primary caregiver.

* Home Health Aide (HHA) practices basic infection control measures.

* Home Health Aide (HHA) observes, reports, and d...