Position Overview
The Direct Care Worker (DCW) provides personal care and/or related services in the home. She/he functions under the direction, instruction and supervision of the Clinical Director and/or appropriate supervisor. The DCW receives scheduling direction from the Client Services Coordinator and/or supervisor.
Essential Job Functions
- Helps the client to maintain good personal hygiene including bathing, shaving, grooming and dressing.
- Assists in maintaining a healthy, safe environment.
- Plans and prepares and may feed the client nutritious meals. Completes errands when instructed to do so by the company supervisor.
- Assists the client with transfers and ambulation with or without an assistive device.
- Provides medication reminders.
- Encourages the client to become as independent as possible according to the nursing care plan.
- Attempts to promote client’s mental alertness through involvement in activities of interest.
- Gives simple emotional and psychological support to the client and other members of the household.
- Establishes a relationship with client and family which transmits trust and confidence.
- Maintains client/family confidentiality at all times.
- Prepares a visit report on the day it is performed and incorporates the report in the clinical record weekly or as directed.
- Reports any change in client’s mental or physical condition.
- Reports any changes in home situation to the company.
- Carries out assignment(s) as instructed by their supervisor and reports any pertinent changes to care.
- Performs routine housekeeping tasks as related to a safe and comfortable environment for the client, as instructed by the supervisor.
- Participates in in-service education as required by company policy and state/federal regulations.
- Confirms on a weekly basis, the scheduling of visits with the Supervisor/Director, to coordinate necessary visits with other personnel.
- Notifies the Company of absences due to illness, emergency leave, normal vacation periods, bereavement or special professional meetings which will affect service(s) with the Company.
Requirements
- Completion of high school diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Possess basic math, reading, and writing skills.
- Ability to speak, comprehend, read and write English consistent with job requirements.
- Completion of a basic aide training program and/or Direct Care Worker test consistent with state/federal requirements.
- Satisfactory performance on a training competency evaluation and or exam and ongoing annual re-evaluation.
- Completion of one year’s employment as a personal care aide, nurse’s aide or in another healthcare related field preferred.
- Has the emotional and mental maturity necessary for establishing and maintaining a good relationship with client, client’s family, and the personnel of the company.
- Must have available, reliable transportation to and from assignments.
- Completion of all applicable health screening(s).
- A minimum of two satisfactory references and background screenings are obtained prior to hire.
- Valid Driver’s License and Acceptable MVR.
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to read 12 point or larger type.
- Must be able to hear and speak in a manner understood by most people.
- Must be able to stoop and bend.
- Must be able to travel to prospective clients’ residences.
- Must be able to safely lift, turn and transfer clients weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Must be able to carry bundles weighing up to 10 pounds up stairs.
Environment
Must be able to function in a wide variety of environments which may involve exposure to allergens and other various conditions.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.