Home Care Companion

Description:

Home Care Companions provide service to individuals in their own homes and communities who need assistance caring for themselves as a result of old age, sickness, disability and/or other inflictions. Home care may include light housecleaning, laundry, meal preparation, transportation, companionship, respite and advice on such things as nutrition, cleanliness and household activities. Home Care Companions are responsible for ensuring that service is delivered in a caring and respectful manner, in accordance with relevant Agency policies and industry standards.

Responsibilities/Activities:

• Provide companionship, friendship and emotional support.
• Talk, listen, share experiences, play games/cards, read to client etc.
• Help keep clients in contact with family, friends and the outside world.
• Provide transportation to medical appointments, grocery store and errands.
• Accompany clients to recreational and/or social events.
• Assist with plans for visits and outings.
• Write or type letters/correspondence.
• Organize and read mail.
• Plan trips and outings and possibly travel with clients.
• Teach/perform meal planning and preparation.
• Perform light housekeeping.
• Participate on the Care Team by providing input and making suggestions.
• Ensure service is delivered in accordance with Agency policies, procedures and industry standards.
• Monitor supplies and resources.
• Evaluate the program and make recommendations, as indicated.
• Follow the written care plan.
• Assist in basic client transfers providing the client has been assessed as being capable of ambulating without assistance; and/or, providing another trained caregiver (including family) is involved in the transfer.
• Carry out duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
• Observe the client's functioning and report to Supervisor.
• Complete and maintain records of daily activities, observations, and direct hours of service.
• Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Assist with pet care.
• Communicate with Supervisor and co-workers.
• Attend orientation, in-service training sessions and staff meetings.

Required Knowledge:

• Knowledge of home management skills.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client and personal services, including needs determinants, meeting quality standards and evaluation of client satisfaction.
• Knowledge of the English language.
• Knowledge of information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat injuries including emergency first
  aid and CPR.
• Knowledge of clerical procedures such as maintaining records and completing forms.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• The ability to be aware of other people's reactions and understand why they react as they do.
• The ability to establishing and maintain relationships.
• The ability to teach others.
• The ability to apply reason and logic to identify strengths and weaknesses of possible solutions.
• The ability to identify problems and determine effective solutions.
• The ability to understand written and oral instructions.
• The ability to communicate information orally so others understand.
• The ability to communicate in writing so others understand.
• The ability to listen and understand the spoken word.
• The ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• The ability to determine or recognize when something is likely to go wrong.
• The ability to suggest a number of ideas on a subject.
• The ability to perform activities that use the whole body.
• The ability to handle and move objects and people.
• The ability to provide advice and consultation to others.
• The ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• The ability to establish and maintain harmonious relations with clients/families/co-workers.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Good physical and mental health.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear and see.
• Mental fortitude and stability to handle stress.
• Physical and mental ability to drive a vehicle.

Qualifications/Education:

• Caregiver Certified
• Current driver's license.
• Proper Vehicle Insurance Coverage.
• First Aid/ CPR Certification
• TB Test - Negative
• Fingerprint Clearance Card

Training/Experience:

• May require related experience.
• May required similar social and cultural backgrounds with some clients.