Personal Care Assistant

Hartford Elderly Services - Vernon, CT

Full-time - Entry Level

Vernon, CT

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Personal Care Assistant (PCA) at Hartford Elderly Services LLC plays a crucial role in providing essential health care tasks and personal hygiene services to consumers in their homes. This position involves a variety of responsibilities aimed at supporting the health and well-being of elderly clients. The PCA will be responsible for observing, recording, and reporting any changes in the consumer's condition to their supervisor, ensuring that all care provided aligns with the established plan of care. It is imperative that all PCAs demonstrate competence in performing the necessary skills and only execute those skills that are outlined in the care plan. In addition to personal hygiene services, the PCA will engage in home management tasks, which include housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and running errands. The role also requires the preparation and serving of simple modified diets according to specific instructions, as well as assisting consumers with feeding when necessary. Personal care duties will encompass assisting with bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting, including the use of bedpans, commodes, or toilets. Furthermore, the PCA will assist self-directing consumers with transfers and ambulation, utilizing mobility aids such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. The PCA will also be responsible for providing medication reminders, helping consumers refill prescriptions at local pharmacies, and offering routine skin care. This includes assisting with the application of nonprescription topical medications and collecting routine specimens. Monitoring the consumer's weight and reminding them of their home maintenance exercise programs are also part of the PCA's duties. Additionally, the PCA will assist with the emptying of indwelling catheter care bags and provide reminders for changing tubing or refilling tanks for oxygen equipment. This position is vital in ensuring that consumers receive the support they need to maintain their independence and quality of life.

Responsibilities

• Perform home management tasks including housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and errands.
• Prepare and serve simple modified diets according to instruction and assist with feeding as necessary.
• Assist with bathing, dressing, and grooming.
• Assist with toileting, including use of bedpan, commode, or toilet.
• Assist self-directing consumers with transfers and ambulation including use of cane, walker, and wheelchair.
• Assist self-directing consumers with medication reminders or refilling the consumer's prescription at the local pharmacy as specified on the plan of care.
• Provide routine skin care and assist self-directing consumers in applying nonprescription topical medications to skin surface.
• Collect routine specimens.
• Obtain consumer's weight.
• Assist self-directing consumers in reminding them of their home maintenance exercise programs.
• Assist with the emptying of indwelling catheter care bag.
• Assist the self-directing consumer with reminders on changing the tubing or refilling a tank in the use of their oxygen equipment.

Requirements

• Must have a current and valid PCA/HHA Certificate or go through a PCA/HHA training program.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a phone or a way to communicate to the office daily.
• Must be able to arrive at cases at the required time.
• Some cases require the employee to have a car with a valid CT DL.

Nice-to-haves

• Preferred high school diploma or equivalency.