A certified home health aide is a person who carries out health care tasks as an extension of a registered professional nurse. A CHHA also provides assistance with personal hygiene, housekeeping, and other related supportive tasks for a patient with health care needs in his/her home.

Performance Criteria

-          Consistently takes and records temperature, pulse, respiration when advised and reports all variations from normal.

-          Competently assists the client in bathing in bed, in tub and in shower. Competently assists the client with care of teeth and mouth.

-          Competently assists the client with grooming, care of hair including shampoo and shaving.

-          Competently assists the client with foot care.

-          Competently assists the client with ordinary care of nails (no cutting).

-          Competently assists the client on and off bedpan, commode, and toilet.

-          Competently assists the client in moving from bed to chair or wheelchair and in walking with a cane or walker.

-          Competently assists the client with eating.

-          Prepares and serves meals according to instructions.

-          Competently assists the client with dressing.

-          With guidance from the nurse, arranges a schedule so that the patient follows medical recommendations such as increased physical activity and taking their own medication.

-          Remind his/her patient to take their own medications as directed by the RN

-          Maintains records as instructed by the professional registered nurse.

-          Competently performs other pertinent care functions as assigned and demonstrated by the Professional Registered Nurse.

-          Safely accompanies client to obtain medical care

-          Makes and changes the client’s bed.

-          Dusts and vacuums the rooms the client uses.

-          Washes the client’s dishes.

-          Tidies, the client's kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and personal environment.

-          Makes a list of needed supplies.

-          Shops for the client if no other arrangement is possible. The CHHA should never purchase alcohol or non-prescription drugs for the client.

-          Washes the clients' personal laundry if no family member is available or able, including ironing.

-          Sends clients linen to laundry if necessary.

-          Utilizes aseptic technique to clean around and secure the clients foley catheter or condom catheter.

-          Competently cares for an incontinent patient.

-          Assists the patient in changing position to prevent decubiti.

-          Demonstrates appropriate preventive skin care techniques.

-          Consistently follows the Aide Plan of Care developed by the RN.

-          Consistently records all pertinent information on the Aide Plan of Care, and timecards in an appropriate timely manner.

-          Correctly measures and records Intake and Output as directed by the RN

-          Competently assists the patient with range of motion exercises as directed by RN or therapist.

-          Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively with the client and his/her family members

-          Assists the RN supervisor to make client visits by ensuring presence of self and client at the time planned.

-          Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively with other members of the health care team and staff of the agency.

-          Consistently reports occurrences to the Field Supervisor.

-          Consistently adheres to universal precautions, aseptic technique, and infection control guidelines.

-          Consistently implements care in a manner that is maximally safe for the client, his/her family, and self.

-          Consistently seeks, accepts, and implements suggestions to improve performance.

-          Demonstrates respect for the opinion of others.

-          Consistently assumes and follows through on the responsibility for assignment.

-          Demonstrates the ability to function effectively under stressful situations.

-          Maintains confidentiality of client observations and records.

-          Utilizes time effectively, maintaining a consistent level of productivity.

-          Completes the continuing education requirements annually (12 hours).

-          Consistently complies with standards of attendance, absence notification and punctuality.

-          Consistently demonstrates professionalism through appearance, performance, and communication.

-          Assumes responsibility for reading and comprehending all posted notices, communications and policies and procedures related to CHHA's.

-          Demonstrates competencies to provide care to patients of all ages.

-          Respects the rights, privacy, and property of others at all times.