Direct Support Staff

Description

• Support Aide provide service to individuals in their own homes and communities, who need assistance caring for themselves as a result of old age, sickness, disability and/or other inflictions. Support Aide may include assistance with the activities of daily living, housecleaning, laundry, meal preparation, transportation, companionship and respite,

• Support Aide are responsible for ensuring that service is delivered in a caring and respectful manner, in accordance with relevant Agency policies and industry standards.

Reporting Relationship

• Reports to Supervisor.

Responsibilities/Activities:

• Assist with the activities of daily living and personal care including:

-  bathing                      -  shaving                        -  ambulation

-  mouth care                -  dressing                       -  exercise

-  hair care                    -  feeding                         -  toileting

-  nail care                    -  positioning                   -  medication reminding

-  skin care                   -  transferring                   -  vital signs and Blood Pressure

• Ensure client’s safety and security by supervising the home environment.

• Teach/perform meal planning and preparation, routine housekeeping activities such as making/changing beds, dusting, vacuuming, washing floors, cleaning kitchen and bathroom, and laundry.

• Provide companionship including social interactions, conversations, emotional reassurance and encouragement of activities that stimulate the mind.

• Provides respite care for families in accordance with care plans.

• Perform/assist with essential shopping/errands, which may include handling the client’s money in accordance with the care plan and under the observation of the Supervisor.

• Assist clients with following a written, special diet plan and reinforcement of diet maintenance, which is provided under the direction of a Physician and as identified on the care plan.

• Escort clients to medical facilities, errands, shopping and outings as specified in the care plan.

• Assist clients with communication by writing or typing correspondence for them or researching information for them.

• Participate on the Care Team by providing input and making suggestions.

• Ensure service is delivered in accordance with all relevant policies, procedures and practices.

• Monitor supplies and resources.

• Evaluate the program and make recommendations to it, as indicated.

• Follow the written care plan.

• Carry out duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

• Observe clients and their environments and reports unsafe conditions to Supervisor.

• Observe clients and their environments and reports behavior, physical and/or cognitive changes and/or changes in living arrangements to Supervisor.

• Complete and maintain records of daily activities, observations, and direct hours of service.

• Attend orientation, in-service training sessions and staff meetings.

• Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.

• Make decisions and solve problems.

• Communicate with Supervisor and co-workers.

• Observe, receive and obtain information from relevant sources.

• Performs other duties as required.

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Required Skills/Abilities

• The ability to competently assist clients with their activities of daily living.

• The ability to be aware of other people’s reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• The ability to establish and maintain relationships.

• The ability to teach others.

• The ability to listen actively.

• The ability to identify problems and determine effective solutions.

• The ability to apply reason and logic to identify strengths and weaknesses of possible solutions.

• The ability to monitor and assess themselves, clients and effectiveness of service.

• The ability to understand written and oral instructions.

• The ability to communicate information orally so others understand.

• The ability to communicate in writing so others understand.

• The ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.

• The ability to determine or recognize when something is likely to go wrong.

• The ability to suggest a number of ideas on a subject.

• The ability to perform activities that use the whole body.

• The ability to handle and move objects and people.

• The ability to provide advice and consultation to others.

• The ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.

• The ability to establish and maintain harmonious relations with clients/families/co-workers.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Good physical and mental health.

• Physical ability to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear and see.

• Mental fortitude and stability to handle stress.

• Physical and mental ability to drive a vehicle.

Qualifications/Education

• Certification in Home Health Aide 

• Current driver’s license.

• Proper Vehicle Insurance Coverage.

Training/Experience:

• May require related experience.

• On the job training for new activities.