Direct Care Worker

Job Summary:
An individual who, under supervision, provides assistance with nutritional and environmental support, personal hygiene, feeding and dressing.

Organizational Relationship: Reports to the designated supervisor
Risk Of Occupational Exposure To Blood Borne Pathogens: limited exposure

Qualifications:
Has successfully completed one of the following:

1. Demonstrated competency by passing a competency exam developed by the Agency or other entity which meets the regulatory requirements.
2. A training program developed by the Agency that meets all the state requirements.
3. A training program meeting the training standards by virtue of the agency’s participation as a provider in a Medicaid Waiver or other publicly funded program providing home & community based services.
4. Another program identified by the DOH by subsequent publication in the State Bulletin or on the DOH website.

        Practices good hygiene and is neat in personal appearance.
        Speaks, reads, and writes English.

Before an applicant may be scheduled to work, he/she will need:        

1. A current CPR certification, physical examination, and 2-step TB test;
2. A criminal background check. 

Responsibilities:
Personal Services - assists patient with:

• Bathing (tub, shower or bed)
• Oral hygiene
• Feeding, eating, dressing, walking and toileting
• Grooming and care of hair
• Ordinary care of nails
• Routine skin care/apply lotion
• Positioning and turning of patients that cannot assist self in bed and chair
• Remind patient to take self-administered medications

Homemaking - assists patient with:

• Meal planning and preparation in accordance with complex and modified diets
• Linen change (occupied and unoccupied)
• Laundry, patient’s only
• Light housekeeping; washing dishes, clean kitchen, dust & vacuum, only those rooms the patient uses.
• Shopping for supplies and groceries

DCWs ARE REQUIRED TO:

• Follow universal precautions whenever providing any aspect of patient service.
• Maintain patient confidentiality.
• Perform ONLY those functions specified for each individual patient on the service plan.
• Respond to the physical, emotional and development needs of patients.
• Follow emergency procedures in the event of any incident, e.g., accident, injury or significant change in patient’s condition.

Essential Administrative Functions:

• Be punctual; clock in and out at the start and end of each scheduled shift.
• Record each activity or task performed during the scheduled shift on each case daily.
• Report any incidents or patient changes immediately.
• Attend in-service education annually per agency policy.
• Show interest, ask questions and seek help as necessary; is receptive to supervision.
• Develop relationships and is cooperative with patient, patient’s family, and supervisor.
• Maintain appropriate appearance and adhere to dress code policy.
• Is resourceful, productive, and efficient.
• Other duties as are reasonably assigned.

Functional Abilities:
Is able to carry bundles upstairs weighing up to 10 pounds.
Must be able to stoop and bend.
Must be able to travel to prospective patient’s place of residence.
Must be able to hear and effectively communicate in English.