Personal Care Assistant - LIFE Geisinger

Geisinger Health System - Scranton, PA

Part-time,Full-time - Entry Level

Scranton, PA

10,001+ employees

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

As a Personal Care Assistant at LIFE Geisinger, you will play a crucial role in providing personal care assistance to participants at the Adult Day Health Center and in their homes. Your primary responsibility will be to support participants in maintaining a healthy and independent lifestyle within the community. This position requires you to work independently, following a care plan developed by the home care coordinator and the participant, ensuring that care is delivered in a safe and courteous manner while promoting the maximum level of independence for the participants in their homes. Your duties will include providing direct participant care, which encompasses personal care tasks such as assisting with nutrition and hydration, obtaining vital signs, helping with ambulation and transfers, and supporting medication compliance. Additionally, you will engage in indirect care responsibilities, including light housekeeping, laundry assistance, and the delivery of medications and supplies as needed. You may also be required to provide on-call coverage for after-hours emergencies in the home. Safety is paramount in this role, and you will be expected to utilize good body mechanics and appropriate equipment, such as gait belts and back braces, during transfers and ambulation. You will also be involved in collecting data for mandatory requirements and quality improvement projects, actively participating in action plans to enhance the quality of care provided by the LIFE Geisinger program. Accurate documentation of services provided is essential, and you will maintain effective communication with participants and co-workers, ensuring that all care respects the rights of the participants. In this position, you will promote independence by offering choices and fostering self-help skills among participants. You will work collaboratively with other members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure quality care and will attend assigned team meetings and complete required educational training. The work environment is typically clinical, and you will be accountable for adhering to all job-specific obligations and organizational policies and procedures. This role is vital in making a difference in the lives of seniors, providing them with the support they need to live at home.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care assistance to participants at the Adult Day Health Center and in their homes.
• Work independently under a care plan developed by the home care coordinator and participant.
• Provide direct participant care including personal care, nutrition and hydration, obtaining vital signs, assisting with ambulation and transfers, and medication compliance.
• Participate in indirect participant care responsibilities such as light housekeeping and laundry assistance.
• Provide on-call coverage for after-hours emergencies in the home as needed.
• Utilize good body mechanics and appropriate equipment for participant safety during transfers and ambulation.
• Collect data for mandatory requirements and quality improvement projects.
• Complete accurate documentation for services provided according to program policy.
• Maintain effective communication with participants and co-workers.
• Promote independence in participants by offering choices and fostering self-help skills.
• Work cooperatively with other members of the interdisciplinary team to provide quality care.
• Attend assigned interdisciplinary team meetings and complete required educational trainings.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED) is required.
• Minimum of 1 year of related work experience is preferred.
• Basic Life Support Certification from a recognized issuing body is required.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) is required.
• Valid Driver's License is required.
• Computer literacy is necessary for documentation and communication purposes.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with older adults is a plus.
• Knowledge of home care services and practices is beneficial.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage starting on the first day of employment with multiple plan options.
• Life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage paid for by the company.
• A competitive 401(k) plan with automatic contributions beginning on the first day of employment.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) plan that allows for quick accrual of time.
• Access to the MyHealth Rewards wellness program for health improvement and incentives.
• Support for families including adoption assistance, paid parental leave, and military leave.
• Free care.com membership with discounted backup care for loved ones.