Personal Care Aide

Job Title:  Personal Care Aide

Qualifications:  Must be at least 18 year of age (21 years old with 1 year experience and good communication skills is preferred); A minimum of  a High School Diploma or GED.  Submit to and pass a criminal record check and a drug screen test; Possess a valid social security card or valid work permit for non US citizens; Possess a valid driver’s license with no moving violations - must be 25 years of age to drive an agency vehicle.

Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 am until 4:30 pm   Evening and weekend hours may be required.

This position reports directly to the Team Leader or Program Director.

Summary of Job Duties:  The Personal Care Aide is a part time position paid at an hourly rate.  The Personal Care Aide will facilitate independence and promote integration into the community for an individual with mental illness.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:   

• Provide therapeutic training to promote independence according to Individual Plan of Care goals and objectives.
• Facilitate the individual to be as independent as possible.
• Assist, observe, and support the individual’s personal care needs.
• Assist/educate in sanitation/household chores; laundry; meal preparation and planning.
• Interaction/involvement with the individuals/help them to assume routine household care and maintenance.
• Provide safety awareness of home and environment and report things that need to be fixed.
• Provide financial assistance/money skills training.
• Provide opportunities for fun activities, leisure choices.
• Assist with shopping needs/wants.
• Connect the individual to family and friends-relationship building.
• Provide behavioral support and be familiar with the behavior intervention plan, record data.
• Monitor individual’s health and provide opportunity for exercise/good health practices
• Advocate for the individual’s rights and needed services.
• Limit/discourage visitation of staff family/friends.
• Respect the individuals and initiate the bonding process
• Be honest, patient and understanding with the individuals.
• Know the people you’re working with.
• Use positive, non-stigmatizing language and be cautious with comments.
• Know where the individual is at all times.
• Respect that it’s the individual’s home, phone, etc
• Recognize an incident and document correctly and properly.
• Prevent/report abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation.  *Staff has a legal responsibility to report any form of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), neglect, and/or exploitation.
• Report legitimate complaints to supervisor(s).
• Accurately administer medication and know the side effects of medications.
• Provide medication information during administration (purpose, side effects).
• Proper reporting/documenting of medication errors.
  Schedule/transport/arrange transportation (doctor’s appointments, leisure activities, family connections -to be coordinated with residential manager and/or case manager).  This may require transportation of the individual in personal vehicle.
• Complete all paperwork/documentation accurately and timely.
• Write a staff note for each date of the individual’s service and complete/submit service register or pink ticket for billing.
• Write relevant, factual notes using the appropriate format.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills.
• Demonstrate initiative for all tasks.