A Personal Care Aide is a person who provides nutritional support, assistance with personal hygiene and the environmental maintenance necessary for an individual to remain in his/her own home. The Personal Care Aide is under direct supervision of the licensed nurse. The PCA provides services in accordance with Level I and Level II Personal Care Aide Functions and Tasks Scope of Practice

THE PERSONAL CARE AIDE WILL NOT PERFORM THESE FUNCTIONS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES:
1. Foley catheter irrigation.
2. Apply a sterile dressing.
3. Give enemas or remove impactions.
4. Perform gastric lavage /gavage
5. Applications of heat in any form.

CUSTOMER SERVICE/INTERPERSONAL SKILL
1. Assists other employees where needed;
2. Is responsible and cooperative with patients/families, supervisors, fellow employees;
3. Maintains friendly working atmosphere;
4. Maintains appropriate attitude;
5. Maintains appropriate appearance;
6. Accepts constructive criticism as evidenced by appropriate changes in behavior.
7. Utilizes established channels of communication.
8. Recognizes, accepts and respects people as individuals;
9. Recognizes limitations and seeks assistance appropriately.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:
1. Knowledge of safe and appropriate method of providing personal care.
2. Knowledge of meal preparation and basic nutrition.
3. Knowledge of environmental management and safety.

Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a New York State Department of Health/Department of Social Services approved Personal Care Aide training program as demonstrated by a valid Personal Care Aide Certificate.
• Holds a valid Personal Care Aide Certificate.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one or two step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.
• PCA must complete 6 hours of in-service education yearly to maintain PCA certification per NY state regulations.