Home Health Aide

HOME HEALTH AIDE (HHA) JOB DESCRIPTION: (1) For each Home Health Aide, a home health agency shall have on file documentation of successful completion of at least seventy-five (75) hours of training in the following subject areas: a) Communication skills b) Observation, reporting and documentation of patient status and the care or services provided c) Reading and recording temperature, pulse and respiration d) Basic infection control procedures e) Basic elements of body functions that must be reported to the registered nurse supervisor f) Maintenance of a clean, safe and healthy environment g) Recognition of emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures h) Physical, emotional and developmental characteristics of the populations served by Florida Home Bound MHA, Inc., including the need for respect for the patient, his/her privacy and property i) Appropriate and safe techniques in personal hygiene and grooming, including bed bath, sponge, tub, or shower bath, shampoo, sink, tub or bed, nail and skin care and oral hygiene j) Safe transfer techniques and ambulation k) Normal range of motion and positioning l) Adequate nutrition and fluid intake m) The role of the Aide in the home n) Differences in families o) Food and household management p) other health related topics pertinent to home health services (universal precaution). (2) A Certified Nursing Assistant, in order to qualify as a Home Health Aide, must complete a supplemental course of 20 hours which includes the home health core curriculum listed in 59A8.042(2)(m) through (p), F.A.C. (3) Training must be performed by or under the general supervision of a Registered Nurse who possesses a minimum of two (2) years nursing experience, one of which must have been in the provision of home health care. (4) Home Health Aides must receive at least twelve (12) hours of in-service training each calendar year. The training requirement may be fulfilled on a prorated basis during the Home Health Aide’s first year of employment. Responsibilities of the Home Health Aide shall include: 1. Personal care activities contained in a written assignment by a health professional employee of the home health agency, and which include assisting the patient with personal hygiene, ambulation, eating, dressing, shaving and physical transfer. Florida Home Bound MHA, Inc. Home Health Agency 2. Other activities as taught by a health professional employee of the home health agency for a specific patient and are restricted to the following: a. Assisting with the change of a colostomy bag, reinforcement of dressing b. Assisting with the use of devices for aid to daily living, such as a wheelchair or walker c. Assisting with prescribed range of motion exercises d. Assisting with prescribed ice cap or collar e. Doing simple urine tests for sugar, acetone or albumin f. Measuring and preparing special diets g. Measuring intake and output of fluids h. Keeping records of personal health care activities, and observing appearance and gross behavioral changes in the patient and reporting to the Registered Nurse. Supervision of self-administered medication in the home is limited to the following: 1. Obtaining the medication container from the storage area, if applicable. Preparing necessary items such as juice, water, cups, or spoons to assist the patient in the self-administration of medication. 2. Reminding the patient that it is time to take the medication as prescribed, and observing the patient self-administering the medication. **The Home Health Aide shall not change sterile dressings, irrigate body cavities, such as giving an enema, irrigate a colostomy or wound, perform a gastric irrigation, or enter AI feeding, catheterize a patient, administer medication, apply heat by any method, care for a tracheotomy tube, nor provide any personal health service which has not been included in the patient’s care plan. **