Caregiver

Description

Caregivers provide services to individuals who need assistance caring for themselves due to old age, sickness, disability, or other conditions. Care is provided wherever the individual calls home and may include assistance with the activities of daily living, housecleaning, laundry, meal preparation, transportation, companionship, and respite.

Caregivers are responsible for ensuring that service is delivered in a caring and respectful manner, in accordance with Agency policies and procedures.

Reports to: Human Resources Manager

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Responsibilities and Activities

The below lists reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

Personal Care Responsibilities and Activities

• Assist with the activities of personal care including bathing, shaving, ambulation, mouth care, dressing, exercise, hair care, feeding, toileting, nail care, positioning, medication reminding, skin care and transferring.
• Assist the client with following a written, special diet plan and reinforcement of diet maintenance, as identified in the care plan.
• Provide respite care for families in accordance with care plans.

Homemaker and Care Companion Responsibilities and Activities

• Talk, listen, share experiences, play games/cards, read to clients etc.
• Provide companionship including social interactions, conversations, emotional reassurance, and encouragement of activities that stimulate the mind.
• Creative engagement with clients.
• Help keep clients in contact with family and friends.
• Assist clients with communication by writing for them or researching information for them.
• Organize mail.
• Perform or teach meal planning and preparation; perform routine housekeeping activities such as making/changing beds, dusting, vacuuming, washing floors, cleaning kitchen and bathroom, and laundry.
• Perform or assist with essential shopping and errands, which may include handling the client’s money, in accordance with the care plan and under the observation of the Care Manager.
• Provide transportation and escort clients to medical appointments, shopping and errands as specified in the care plan.
• Accompany clients to recreational and/or social events. Plan or assist planning for trips and outings and possibly travel with clients.

Core Responsibilities and Activities

• Ensure the client’s safety and security by observing and supervising the home environment.
• Observe clients and their environments and report unsafe conditions, behavior, physical and/or cognitive changes and changes in living arrangements to the Care Manager.
• Monitor supplies and resources.
• Follow the written care plan.
• Complete and maintain care notes of daily activities, observations, and direct hours of service using the agency software application.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Communicate with Care Manager and co-workers. Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
• Participate in the Care Team by providing input and making suggestions.
• Carry out other duties as assigned by the Care Manager.
• Attending orientation, in-service training sessions and staff meetings.
• Bring the Caregiver Emergency Bag to each shift.
• Clock in and out using the agencies software application on employees cell phone. Utilize clients phone when cell phone is unavailable for telephony documentation.
• Maintain HIPPA compliance when speaking with clients, caregivers, office staff, and third-party individuals.
• Maintain a professional relationship and demeanor with all clients.
• Wear employee badge to all shifts and staff meetings.
• Remain awake on all shifts unless otherwise specified in the client’s Care Plan.
• Notify the scheduling department or person on call of all schedule and availability changes in a timely manner.

Required Knowledge

• Knowledge of personal care and home management procedures and tasks.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client and personal care services, including assessing needs, meeting quality standards and evaluation of client satisfaction.
• Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to identify emergency situations.
• Knowledge of HIPPA Laws and Regulations.
• Knowledge of clerical procedures such as maintaining records and completing forms.
• Working knowledge of the English language.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated competence in the skills required to assist clients with their activities of daily living.
• The ability to work independently, without continuous supervision.
• Communication skills: listen actively; awareness of verbal and non-verbal cues; communicate verbally so others understand; communicate in writing so others understand.
• Observation skills: observe, perceive, and document changes in a client’s behavior and habits.
• Problem solving skills: identify problems; analyze strengths and weaknesses of possible solutions; willingness to act; monitor and assess effectiveness of chosen solutions.
• Pro-active problem identification skills.
• Human relations skills: establish/improve relationships; gain the cooperation of clients and co-workers; influence the decisions of clients and co-workers.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn new concepts and skills.
• Flexibility and patience.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity.

Physical Requirements:

• Good physical and mental health.
• The ability to perform activities that use the whole body.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, reach overhead, stoop, kneel, crouch up to eight hours a day.
• Able to climb stairs with a basket of laundry.
• Able to carry a 20-pound bag of groceries on a regular basis.
• Able to lift up to 35 pounds occasionally.

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Other Requirements

• Must pass criminal, civil and Wisconsin Caregiver background checks.
• Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver’s license.
• Must have a motor vehicle in good working order capable of safely transporting a client.
• Must provide proof of current auto insurance liability coverage with at least state minimum automobile liability limits.
• Driving record:

? No DWI, DUI or reckless driving convictions in the past five years

? No more than three traffic tickets in the past three years

• Must have cell phone with voice mail.
• Bank account for electronic funds transfer of payroll deposit is required.
• An email account and access to the internet.

Experience

• Referenceable caregiving experience required.

Working Environment

• Provide care wherever our clients call home which could include, but is not limited to, in personal home, group home, hospital, or assisted living facility.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative, but may not be exclusive, of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.