Direct Home Care Worker - Dearborn

PACE Southeast Michigan; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

PACE Southeast Michigan is seeking a Direct Home Care Worker to provide supportive services to participants in their homes and community settings. The role includes personal care assistance, meal preparation, and transportation for appointments.

Applicants should have a High School Diploma or equivalent, 2 years of relevant experience, and a reliable vehicle. The position involves exposure to various working conditions, including communicable diseases, and requires strong interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years relevant experience or formal training in Direct Care, Nurse Assistant, or Medical Assistant.
• Annual participation in required training and screening, including infection control and BLS.
• Experience with dementia and developmental disabilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist participants with personal care and daily activities.
• Document participant progress and services provided.
• Respond to emergencies according to established procedures.

Skills

Personal care assistance

Communication skills

Interpersonal relationships

Education

High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Job description

Summary

The Direct Home Care Worker provides supportive services to the participant, including but not limited to in the home or community setting, during transport and on appointments, or in the day health center. The responsibilities are based on the individual Direct Home Care Worker Care Plan.

Specific Duties and Functions

The Direct Home Care Worker’s plan of care is based on the initial and ongoing assessments performed by a home care RNCM. They assist in providing and/or maintaining optimal physical and emotional comforts to frail elders in the participant’s home, community setting, day health center, dementia unit, and during transport and on appointments. The Direct Home Care Worker assists participants and their families toward achieving maximum self‑reliance and independence.

The Direct Home Care Worker performs the care or services outlined in the individual participant’s Care Plan and any Care Guidelines pertinent to the participant’s diagnosis. Key responsibilities include:

• Personal care assistance with activities
• Assistance with meal preparation / feeding
• Assistance with toileting / managing incontinence
• Simple treatments
• Shopping
• Medication reminders
• Laundry services
• Extended hours care
• Homemaking services / chores
• Transportation and off‑site appointment support

Accurate and timely documentation is required for every visit, encounter, transport, or appointment. The Direct Home Care Worker keeps the RNCM and/or clinic nurse informed of the participant’s progress, immediately reports all customer‑service complaints, all deviations from the set schedule, and appointments to supervisor/manager. The Direct Home Care Worker responds to emergency situations in accordance with established policies and procedures and works only within the established scope of practice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Minimum requirements: High School Diploma or G.E.D. and a minimum of (2) years of relevant work experience, or completion of a formal training program in Direct Care, Nurse Assistant, Medical Assistant, etc. The candidate must participate in annual, required in‑service training and screening, including infection control, TB testing, safety training, and BLS training. Must possess the ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and interdepartmental relationships, respect the physical, spiritual, and well‑being of participants and co‑workers, organize and maintain flexible scheduling, and work sensitively with individuals of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Experience with participants with dementia and/or developmental disabilities is essential. Must perform duties in an atmosphere of frequent interruption, meet a standardized set of CMS competencies before working independently, and be medically cleared for communicable diseases with all immunizations up to date before engaging in direct participant contact.

Working Conditions

Driving is required within the PACE Southeast Michigan catchment area; a reliable transportation vehicle and a current valid driver’s license are mandatory. Working conditions are variable, with exposure to communicable diseases, chemicals such as cleaning solutions, and medications. The workplace culture emphasizes compassion, curiosity, accountability, courage, and authenticity. Employees are encouraged to make choices best for participants and to make a difference.