Healthcare Career Advancement Program (HCAP)

On-the-job Training

• Role of the Home Health Aide
  • Demonstrate the role and scope of work of the HHA when working as a member of the healthcare team
  • Demonstrate the role of the HHA in relation to the consumer/client receiving services
  • Demonstrate HHA professionalism in appropriate dress, punctuality, and performance in accordance with agency policies and HHA roles
• Client Rights and Confidentiality
  • Respect the rights and observe the preference of the consumer/client in their own home
  • Demonstrate ways of protecting client’s privacy and promoting independence
  • Respect the confidentiality of client information and adheres to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and agency confidentiality guidelines
  • Recognize causes and types of abuse, appropriate response and reporting requirements
• Communication and Problem-Solving Skills
  • Can explain the term “communication” including the difference between verbal and non- verbal communication
  • Demonstrate effective communication, including active listening
  • Demonstrate ability to resolve conflict and work will with challenging behaviors
  • Demonstrate respect and cultural sensitivity in communicating with others
  • Demonstrate the use of effective problem-solving skills
  • Notify supervisor promptly in relation to client’s needs, concerns and/or problems encountered
  • Serve as an advocate for the client and treats the client, their family and close friends with courtesy and respect
  • Provide report to designated staff according to procedure
• Personal Care Skills
  • Assist clients with bathing according to client preference and plan of care
  • Provide clients with bed baths according to proper procedure when indicated
  • Shampoo clients’ hair in bed when indicated
  • Assist clients with oral hygiene and care according to individual needs and plan of care
  • Assist clients with fingernail and toenail care
  • Shave clients using proper procedure (facial hair only) with safety razor/electric shaver
  • Turn clients in bed according to proper procedure
  • Provide clients with back rubs according to proper procedure
  • Assist clients with eating
  • Assist clients with dressing
  • Assist clients with the use of elastic support stockings
  • Make an occupied bed and/or unoccupied bed
  • Assist clients with toileting needs including demonstrating proper use of bedpan, urinals and/or commode (and use of adult diaper or incontinence products as needed)
  • Provide pericare as indicated in plan of care
  • Assist clients with use of condom catheters and daily catheter care
  • Demonstrate proper technique and use of lift equipment (transfer technique)
  • Clean and ensure appropriate function and care of appliances such as glasses, hearing aids, prostheses and assists with application as indicated by plan of care
• Health Related Tasks
  • Observe, record, report and document client status/changes and care/services furnished and provides information to the supervisor according to policy
  • Accurately measure and record temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure
  • Collect routine urine, stool and sputum specimens according to proper procedures
  • Prepare and assist clients with complex modified diets
  • Assist clients with prescribed exercise programs, including walking, standing
  • Assist with passive/active range of motion
  • Assist clients with lung disease with postural drainage
  • Assist with the use of prescribed medical equipment, supplies and devices
  • Assist with special skin care to prevent ulcers; observes, records and reports skin conditions including signs and symptoms of sepsis
  • Assist clients with ileostomy, colostomy, gastrostomy and tracheostomy care
  • Assist with meal planning, food preparation and serving, food shopping, storage and handling
  • Assist with the preparation of simple modified diets
  • Assist clients with family spending and budgeting as specified on care plan
  • Assist clients with care of the home and personal belongings
  • Assist clients with self-administration of medicine as allowed by law
  • Recognize pain in client; report client pain to supervisor per policy
  • Assist with nutrition and fluid intake, measures and records when indicated on plan of care
  • Assist and encourages clients to consume nutritional supplements/snacks as indicated on plan of care
• Infection Control Procedures
  • Demonstrate proper hand washing procedures
  • Describe and apply the principles of infection prevention and control procedures
  • Implement standard precautions as indicated
  • Obtain available personal protection against illness and infection such as the flu vaccine
  • Perform activities using OSHA/blood borne pathogen procedures and requirements
  • Describe activities addressing common communicable disease protocols
• Safety and Recognize/Respond to Emergencies According to Emergency Procedure
  • Maintain clean, safe and healthy environment; assess home for possible hazards and fix
  • Use proper body mechanics at all times and incorporate safe transfer techniques
  • Demonstrate awareness of range of motion and positioning in moving client
  • Demonstrate knowledge of procedures in case of emergencies in the home
  • Recognize emergencies and understands and acts according to emergency procedure
  • Check equipment before use and notifies supervisor of any problems identified
  • Demonstrate ability to perform CPR and AED according to proper procedures
• Understanding the Needs of Various Groups of Clients and Ways to Work with Them
  • Describe the special needs of physically disabled clients, and how to address those needs
  • Describe the special needs of the aging clients and how to address those needs
  • Describe the special needs of clients who are dying, assist their families, and address their needs
  • Describe the special needs of clients who are cognitively impaired or mentally ill, and how to address those needs
  • Use knowledge of disease processes in understanding clients’ needs