1. Stock items for their designated area.
A home health aide will be in charge of keeping the assigned room organized and tidy. They will stock up on supplies such as pillows, towels, soap, toilet paper and more.
2. Prepare their designated area for the visits of the patient.
A home health aide must make sure that the bathroom is clean and ready for each visit with a patient. Additionally, they must put out any items needed to make patients feel comfortable when they arrive in order to ease any anxiety that may be present due to sickness or injury requirements such as magazines or an armrest chair.
3. Provide assistance to prepare meals.
A home care worker is responsible for making sure that they take plenty of time preparing meals. They must ensure that fresh food is purchased before the meals are prepared. Additionally, they will generally be required to make sure that they act as a server and make sure that the meal is served to patients properly and in a timely manner. Other tasks may include cleaning up after the meal or helping with cleanup if it is needed or requested.
4. Assist with the care of their designated area by performing tasks such as changing linens, doing laundry and cleaning.
A home health aide must prepare for laundry day by ensuring that they gather all of the dirty linens and clothes from the designated area and putting them in a bucket for washing or disposal in a separate bucket for washing when it's time for this task to be completed. Additionally, they must make sure to finish the laundry services in a timely manner prior to the arrival of the patient.
5. Set up their designated area so that it presents a healthy appearance and is properly staged, while ensuring that they have an appropriate lighting system in place.
Throughout this task, a home health aide must ensure that they put all medical supplies in order, be sure to keep blankets neat and tidy, as well as ensuring that pillows are fluffed. Additionally, lighting will be set up such that they are comfortable and within a range that is best suited for each patient's needs when they arrive at their designated area.
6. Allow the patient to shower or bathe in full privacy, providing help where necessary.
As part of this task, the home health aide must clean and sanitize the shower area daily in order to allow patients to bathe without worry that they are dirtying their surroundings. Additionally, a home worker must make sure that they have hand towels available for individuals with sensitive skin as well as providing any assistance that may be needed by a personal discomfort while bathing.
7. Perform other tasks that are specified by the discharge planner or nurse aide assessment team member prior to being hired (such as training in CPR).
A staff member will often be asked to take basic instruction in CPR prior to being hired, such as learning how to properly put on and remove an airway from a patient. Of course, this is not required, but it is a tip that may be requested when hiring a new employee.
8. Complete paperwork and other documentation that is required by the company to ensure proper patient care and record keeping.
Along with registering new patients with the home health care facility and filling out the requisite paperwork, staff must also complete any documents or forms that are needed when it comes time for patients to leave.
9. Maintain a clean work area.
A home health aide must always keep the room that they are assigned to clean neat and tidy. They will be responsible for ensuring that trash is disposed of and cleaned every day, as well as making sure to place all medical supplies in order before locking up for the night.
10. Behave in a professional manner at all times, ensuring that they have good communication skills, as well as being careful not to engage in rude or uncouth behavior when speaking with the patients or others within the home health care facility.
A home health aide must be very conscious of their speech and conduct when interacting with patients and other staff members while at work, especially while preparing meals or washing dishes.