Personal Care Assistant

Geisinger • Lewistown, PA

22d • Onsite

About The Position

The Personal Care Assistant provides personal care assistance to participants at the Adult Day Health Center and delivers personal care, homemaker services, personal interaction, and restorative care to participants in their homes to support a healthy and independent lifestyle in the community. The position works independently and courteously under a care plan developed by the home care coordinator and participant, providing needed care while promoting the participant’s independence and rights. Work is typically performed in a clinical environment, with care also provided in participants’ homes. On-call coverage for after-hours emergencies in the home may be required.

The role includes direct and indirect participant care, accurate documentation, collection of data for required reporting and quality improvement projects, and participation in improvement plans. The Personal Care Assistant communicates respectfully with participants and coworkers, works cooperatively with the interdisciplinary team, attends assigned team and monthly meetings, and completes required educational training. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver’s license. Related work experience is preferred. Basic Life Support and CPR certifications are required within six months.

Geisinger describes its purpose and values as caring for patients, members, students, its workforce, and communities, with an emphasis on kindness, excellence, learning, innovation, and safety. Healthcare benefits are offered to full-time and part-time positions from day one, including vision, dental, and domestic partner coverage. The employer is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Valid driver’s license.
• Basic Life Support certification within six months.
• CPR certification through the American Heart Association within six months.
• Communication, computer literacy, and interpersonal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of related work experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care assistance to participants at the Adult Day Health Center and in their homes.
• Follow the care plan developed by the home care coordinator and participant while supporting the participant’s maximum independence.
• Provide direct care, including personal care, nutrition and hydration support, obtaining vital signs, assisting with ambulation and transfers, active and passive range of motion, medication-compliance prompting, and incontinence care.
• Provide indirect care, including light housekeeping, laundry assistance, economical use of supplies, and delivery of medication and supplies as needed.
• Provide on-call coverage for after-hours home-care emergencies when required.
• Use safe body mechanics and appropriate equipment, including a gait belt and back brace, during participant transfers and ambulation.
• Collect data for mandatory requirements and quality improvement projects and participate in related action plans and implementation.
• Document services accurately and thoroughly according to program policy.
• Communicate effectively with older adult participants and coworkers, explain tasks before beginning them, and provide orientation and redirection as needed.
• Respect participants’ rights, communicate caring and respect verbally and nonverbally, and promote independence by offering choices and encouraging self-help skills.
• Work cooperatively with the interdisciplinary team to provide quality care.
• Attend assigned interdisciplinary team and scheduled monthly meetings and complete required educational training.
• Comply with job-specific obligations and organizational policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Healthcare benefits available from day one for full-time and part-time positions.
• Vision coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Domestic partner coverage.
• Collaborative, cooperative, and collegial work atmosphere.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED