HOME HEALTH AIDE
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is routine work involving the personal care of patients in the normal activities of daily living in their homes. The work is designed to allow incapacitated patients the opportunity of remaining at home. Employees in this class will be required to complete a training program approved by the New York State Department of Health and ongoing, in-service training programs in home health care and related areas. Incumbents in this class work under the guidance and direction of a Community Health Nurse.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
Bathes patient and gives personal hygienic care;
Helps patient to the bathroom and in use of bedpan;
Assists patient in performing exercises prescribed by appropriate professional personnel;
May assist patient in taking self-administered medication, prescribed by a physician;
Makes beds and performs other tasks to provide a suitable environment for patient;
Plans and prepares meals for patient and may do marketing;
Cleans, dusts, washes dishes, and performs a variety of other light housekeeping tasks;
Cares for patient’s clothing; including light washing, ironing, mending, and sorting of clothes for public laundry service.
May perform the following as instructed:
Observe patient appearance and report changes to supervisor;
Take vital signs, e.g. temperature, pulse, respiration, weight;
Simple dressing changes;
Assistance with the use of devices for aid to daily living;
Prescribed range of motion exercises;
Perform simple urine test for sugar, albumin, or acetone content;
Prepare special diets;
Measure fluid intake and output;
Complete records as required.
The above examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES AND/OR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Ability to understand and carry out non-technical oral and written directions; physical strength and mental alertness; emotional and mental maturity; sympathetic attitude in caring for the sick; ability to get along well with others and gain the cooperation of the patient; dependability; neat appearance.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to walk, talk and hear.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to and over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT: NYS Certification for Home Health Aide AND possession of a valid NYS Driver’s License.
Labor Classification