Position Summary

Under direct supervision, provides homecare support services for families of the frail, physically and mentally compromised Tribal members of the Pueblo of Sandia. Provides the client with light housekeeping, personal care, emotional and social support, exercise, healthy meals, and a clean and safe environment.

Supervision Exercised

Reports to the Homecare Program Manager.

Major Duties And Responsibilities

1. Non-medical personal care assistance with activities of daily living such as, mobility including transfers and ambulation, personal comfort and grooming such as bathing, showering, total bed baths, shampooing, preventive skin care and other assistance as needed.
2. Light housekeeping duties for the patient including laundry, kitchen and bathroom cleaning, vacuuming.
3. Transporting patient to all appointments, outings, and non-essential activities.
4. Meal preparation for patients to include: Shopping, menu planning and assisting with patient’s nutrition as needed.
5. Follow through on recommendations and orders from all providers, nutritionist/dietician, Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapists, Aquatics, and Homecare Program Manager.
6. Companionship and emotional support to the patient.
7. Assist with mentally stimulating activities such as putting together puzzles, crafts, card games, friends, music, art, fishing, and family. .
8. Attend meeting and trainings as required.
9. Communicate regularly with other Homecare Attendants, Family members, and Homecare Program Manager both verbally and in writing.
10. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Secondary Duties And Responsibilities

1. May be assigned to the Health Center when client loads are reduced or as needed.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

1. Ability to advocate for the patient during medical and non-medical appointments.
2. Ability to identify problems and report them to a supervisor on behalf of the patient as soon as possible.
3. Ability to demonstrate dependability, i.e. compliance with established work schedules.
4. Ability to read and write adequately to complete required documentation and interpret all written communication from the Homecare Program Manager or Program Assistant.
5. Knowledge of the community or population to be served preferable or extensive multi-cultural experience.
6. Ability to provide services independently without constant observation and supervision.
7. Must have good written and oral communication skills. Must be able to deal with the possibility of being subject to inappropriate remarks or actions from clients.  Must have the ability to establish appropriate boundaries regarding behaviors of the client while at the same time being sensitive to, and accepting of, potentially awkward behaviors brought on by the medical condition of the client.
8. Ability to work a flexible schedule with days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays as needed.
9. Ability to interact effectively with the client being served and the community, as well as, with Homecare Program Manager.

Minimum Qualifications, Education And Experience

Required

1. High School Diploma, GED certification or equivalent
2. Must be at least 18 years of age
3. Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted New Mexico Driver’s License
4. The following license and/or certifications are required prior to employment start date:
   1. Current CPR and First Aid certifications.

Preferred

1. Certified Nurse Assistant designation

Licensing Status

1. Must be able to successfully pass a stringent background and character investigation in compliance with PL 101.630.
2. Will require a post-offer, pre-employment and random drug screening.
3. Insurable driving record with no DWI/DUI violations in the last 5 years.

Working Conditions

1. Work is performed indoors and outdoors.
2. Work hours subject to change with short notice with possible overtime requirements.
3. Subject to hazards which may cause personal bodily harm; smoke; diseases; cuts bruises, burns, common cold, influenza, dust, odors and elevated noise levels.
4. Driving Sandia Pueblo Health Center vehicles, which include vans, SUVs, station wagons and cars.
5. Tasks may be performed on uneven, inclined, hard and soft carpeted floors, cement structures and surfaces.
6. Duties may involve walking, standing for long periods of time, sitting and crouching.
7. Specific required movements include the following:
   1. Trunk- bend, twist, rotate, push, pull, carry.
   2. Arms – reach, carry, lift, twist, and rotate.
   3. Legs – lift, push, pull, twist, and rotate.
   4. Hands – Grasp, manipulate bilateral coordination, hand and eye coordination, and overall and finger dexterity.

1. All employees are subject to random drug tests.