DIRECT CARE PARTNER-HOME CARE

Butler Health System; Greensburg (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Health is seeking a Direct Care Partner to support consumers with daily living activities, personal care, mobility, meals, and companionship. You will follow care plans established by supervision, assist with transfers, and help with housekeeping and errands.

Required qualifications include a high school diploma or GED, strong leadership and communication skills, and knowledge of nursing practice liability.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED required.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to communicate complex topics to a diverse audience.

Responsibilities

• Follow care plans and provide personal care as needed.
• Assist with mobility, transfers, and daily living activities.
• Provide housekeeping support and run errands as directed.
• Administer and remind about medications; accompany to appointments as directed.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance; complete timesheets and training.

Skills

Leadership

Organisational skills

Critical thinking

Judgement

Nursing practice knowledge

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

• Follow written care plan established by supervisory personnel if applicable.
• Provide personal care which may include: bathing, shampooing, dressing, shopping, preparation, and serving of meals.
• Assist the consumer with moving around including but not limited to: aid with getting in and out of bed, from bed to wheelchair, on and off toilet, in and out of bathtub, seated position to standing with a walker, and other assistance moving around as needed.
• Provide assistance with housekeeping, which may include: dishwashing, dusting, laundry, linen changes, sweeping/vacuuming and cleaning rooms, windows (inside only), cabinets and appliances.
• Obtain groceries and complete errands for consumer as directed by supervisor. Utilize worker receipt for all money exchanges with consumer.
• Interact and engage in conversation with consumer.
• Remind consumer to take medications.
• Demonstrate appropriate safety measures when providing care.
• Recognize emergencies; follow emergency procedures as well as instruction provided by emergency personnel.
• Report immediately to the agency, upon each incident, all known information regarding consumer hospitalization and discharge from hospital.
• Inform supervisor of any unexpected or unusual changes in the consumer’s condition, behaviour, environment, and family situation.
• Maintain confidentiality of consumer records and related information in accordance with HIPAA and agency guidelines.
• Encourage consumer’s independence in performing life activities.
• Establish positive rapport with the consumer and family.
• Follow Universal Precautions and Infection Control procedures.
• Notify consumer and supervisor of unscheduled absences in accordance with agency policies and deadlines.
• Complete and submit timesheets weekly and the schedule of consumer visits monthly.
• Comprehend and follow all agency policies and procedures.
• Attend meetings, training and in‑services as requested.
• Accompany consumer to appointments when authorised by supervisor.
• Assist consumer with sorting through boxes to eliminate clutter, removing rubbish and garbage accumulation (animal and human waste excluded), and packing and unpacking consumer belongings when consumer changes residence, cleaning attic, basement or other storage areas to eliminate fire and safety hazards when specifically directed by supervisor.
• Provide coverage for other Direct Care Partners when call offs occur.
• Cognitive ability to function and concentrate on the essential and specialty functions of the job at a high level.
• Achieves thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing an essential or specialty function of the job.
• Ability to think and concentrate for an entire shift.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications/Experience

• High School Diploma or GED effective November 1, 2021.
• Strong leadership ability, good organisational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgement, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• 1 Year Prior Experience in healthcare setting.
• CNA or Home Health Aide Certifications.
• Experience in Healthcare setting.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program required.
• Valid Driver’s License (if out of state hire, the record report from applicable state driver’s license department is required)
• A criminal background check (Act 34) is required for all new hires in conjunction with applicable state and federal regulations.
• Child Abuse Clearance (Act 33) completed for Direct Care Partners caring for consumers that have anyone under the age of 18 living in their home or present in their home on a regular basis during consumer visits.
• Additionally, a report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Act 73) is required for all new employees who have not resided in Pennsylvania for the past two years.
• Criminal background history is required every three years.
• Proof of Pennsylvania Residency (Motor Vehicle Records‑Valid PA Driver’s License or State Issued ID; Housing Records‑ Mortgage or Rent Receipts; Public Utility Records; Local Tax Records; Completed and Signed Federal, State, or Local Income Tax Return with applicant’s name and address; Employment Records)

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on‑call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32‑200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2‑32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Extreme Heat

X

Extreme Cold

X

Heights

X

Confined Spaces

X

Extreme Noise(>85dB)

X

Mechanical Hazards

X

Use of Vibrating Tools

X

Operates Vehicle (company)

X

Operates Heavy Equipment

X

Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices

X

Rotates All Shifts

X

8 Hours Shifts

X

10-12 Hours Shifts

X

On-Call

X

Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)

X

Travel Between Sites

X

Direct Patient Care

X

Respirator Protective Equipment

X

Eye Protection

X

Head Protection (hard hat)

X

Hearing Protection

X

Hand Protection

X

Feet, Toe Protection

X

Boot Chains

Body Protection

X

Latex Exposure

X

Solvent Exposure

X

Paint (direct use) Exposure

X

Dust (sanding) Exposure

X

Ethylene Oxide Exposure

X

Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure

X

Blood/Body Fluid Exposure

X

Chemicals (direct use) Exposure

X

Mist Exposure

X

Wax Stripper (direct use)

X

Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure

X

Ionising Radiation Exposure

X

Laser Exposure

X

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32‑200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2‑32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Bending (Stooping)

X

Sitting

X

Walking

X

Climbing Stairs

X

Climbing Ladders

X

Standing

X

Kneeling

X

Squatting (Crouching)

X

Twisting/Turning

X

Keyboard/Computer Operation

X

Gross Grasp

X

Fine Finger Manipulation

X

Hand/Arm Coordination

X

Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)

X

10#

X

20#

X

50#

X

50#

Carry

X

10#

10#

Transfer/Push/Pull Patients

X

Seeing Near w/Acuity

X

Feeling (Sensation)

X

Color Vision

X

Hearing Clearly

X

Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead

X

Reaching Above Shoulder Level

X

Reaching Forward

X

Lifting Floor to Knuckle

X

10#

Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle

X

50#

50#

Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder

X

10#

20#

Lifting Shoulder to Overhead

X

10#

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.