PACE Personal Care Assistant

Overview

We are recruiting for a PACE Personal Care Assisant to join our growing team.

A UHC Personal Care Assistant (PCA) shows genuine warmth with patients and has the ability to make them feel comfortable in the PACE center while providing effective and technically competent care to both participants and UHC providers. The PCA assists in activities of daily living, personal care, and support of the participants while in the PACE Center. Primary tasks are to support and assist participants, maintain privacy while encouraging independence, and to ensure adherence to scheduled appointments at the PACE center. The PCA ensures accurate data collection and documentation in patients' charts (paper or electronic) in order to communicate to IDT and track participant progress. Finally, they ensure a smooth and well- connected participant flow within the PACE center supporting transportation, recreation therapy, dining, rehabilitation and health center visits. The Personal Care Assistant reports to the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Supervisor.

Responsibilities

PERFORMANCE AREA 1:  

• Meets participants personal hygiene and basic needs in a timely and caring manner.
• Assists participants with activities of daily living, such as feeding, ambulation and other activities.
• Responds to all call lights promptly and fulfills participant request or obtains appropriate assistance.
• Performs and assists with assigned non-sterile procedures and other assigned tasks in support of participant care.
• Ensures that the participant is comfortable, necessary supplies are available and within reach, and physical privacy is maintained.
• Collects data and records activity and participant care information on appropriate forms. Ensures that information is accurate, timely and recorded according to established guidelines.
• Follows established procedure. Knowledge and performance of procedures would be acquired through continuing appropriate nursing education program or supervised clinical experience.
• Maintains clinical and age specific competencies as defined for the assigned unit.
• Provides participant instruction related to safety factors conducive to their care plan and recovery; demonstrates appropriate health, safety and aseptic practices.
• Cleans and straightens immediate participant surroundings ensuring that the participant is comfortable, necessary supplies are available and within reach, and physical privacy is maintained. Assists in maintaining an orderly, clean participant care unit by straightening supply and linen storage, nursing station and equipment area.
• Contribution is made through active participation to facilitate continuity of participant care.
• Observes participants for emotional, behavioral, and physical changes in condition including, but not limited to any changes in mood, skin integrity, bowel and bladder status, food/fluid intake, speech, ambulation and transfer ability. Promptly reports member change of condition to nursing staff.
• Procedures and policies are followed; equipment and supplies are used correctly and, in a cost-efficient manner; alerts management to problems, issues or needs regarding policies, procedures or practices; and follows correct channels of communication.
• Able to support Reception, Kitchen, Health Center and Activities staff as needed.

PERFORMANCE AREA 2: Focus on Infection Control and Maintenance of Environment:  

• Practices universal precaution per protocol and keeps work areas clean and clutter free.
• Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes tables, DME, medical equipment per protocol.
• Cleans and disinfects rooms for next patient.
• Maintains daily log upkeep (diagnostic test machines, refrigerator, etc.).
• Initiates work request for any malfunctions of equipment, then obtain Nursing Manager's approval.
• Supports clean-up, organization and stocking needs for the PACE center.

PERFORMANCE AREA 3: General Corporate Expectations: Attends and actively participates in all meetings (e.g., department meetings, program meetings, employee staff meetings) and other activities as required or assigned.  

• Attends workshops/seminars as necessary to increase skills and knowledge to provide effective care, treatment, and/or leadership.
• Supports the overall needs of the health center by working flexible or extended hours when necessary.
• Supports the needs of the health center by traveling to other UHC clinics when staffing needs dictate the need for personnel.
• Demonstrates awareness of, and compliance with, organizational mission and objective of UHC to provide health care access and support services for all members of the community.
• Supports their own staff development by completing the required hours of continuing education each year.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by supervisor. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally either verbally or in writing.
• Maintains confidentiality and respect for information regarding patients and other team members; abides by UHC Rules of Confidentiality and general HIPAA regulations regarding privacy.
• Displays a positive, professional and respectful demeanor at all times toward employees, peers, professional contacts, and patients served, maintaining a professional appearance and positive image for the health centers.
• Contributes to the team by promoting positive staff interaction, maintains open communication with other programs/departments.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have knowledge and understanding of and be sensitive to area minority groups and their socio-economic backgrounds/cultures. Demonstrated ability to function independently, with strong organizational skills and flexibility required. Individual must be self-motivated and able to develop positive working relationships with a wide variety of individuals. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing in both English and Spanish preferred. Must have strong ability to interact with a wide range of clients effectively.

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EDUCATION: 

• Completion of accredited vocational nursing assistant course, hospital or comparable participant care experience. “Comparable experience” should include skills such as: 1) TPR; 2) BP; 3) bed bath; and 4) ADL Or:  
• Certified Nursing  Assistant
• High School diploma/GED.

 LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: 

• Possess a valid CPR certificate

 EXPERIENCE: 

• Ability to read, write and understand verbal or written instructions.
• At least 1-year of personal or employment experience providing care or services for a frail or elderly population.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE: 

• Bilingual preferred
• Knowledge of PACE program.
• Ability to work without close supervision or professional guidance and to exercise independent judgment.
• Knowledge of physical, mental and social needs of frail older adults.
• Able to manage changing priorities per participant needs.
• Intermediate computer skills
• Attention to detail and excellent follow-through on work tasks
• Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Able to quickly build and maintain rapport with patients and providers of differing backgrounds; team player
• Demonstrates necessary skills and knowledge as outlined in the position-specific Competency Assessment Profile.

DESIRED PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: 

• Dependable, flexible and resourceful.
• Enjoys working with disabled and older adults.
• Effective interpersonal skills to work with members, caregivers and staff.
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with individuals of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Must be able to work required schedule.
• Requires physical strength to perform essential functions of the job.
• Occasional travel between sites, to participant appointments and to members’ homes may be required.

The hourly wage range that UHC reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire starts at $22.00 an hour. Our salaries are dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience.

In addition, our comprehensive benefits package for regular status employees includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with low premium cost
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401k plan with matching contribution
• Educational Assistance
• Employee discounts and more!