Health Care Aide (Hca) Sw/West Calgary

SAIGE Homecare is an established home care agency that has been serving the Calgary community for over 10 years. We pride ourselves on our Nurse Managed Client Centered Care and high level of professionalism.
The Health Care Aide role is a crucial position for those who rely on others for basic daily care, such as bathing, eating, and personal hygiene. Health Care Aide typically work with elderly or disabled individuals in a facility or home care setting.
Pay: $17-$19 per hour, based on experience
Shift/Schedules: Full Time & Part Time, Flexible Schedules
13 year old client with developmental disabilities and Angelman's syndrome (has a higher incidence of potential seizures due to epilepsy). Caregivers must be comfortable in managing potential emergency situations. There is a fair deal of housekeeping/management in the home so the caregiver must be comfortable with doing this and keeping busy throughout the shift. Patient, calm and directive is key as the client can be challenging physically if she is not feeling well or uneasy with the caregiver.
Experience with children, especially with disabilities. Must be okay with cats (2). Shifts are in the SW (far west) Cougar Ridge, and will need to be comfortable with the drive (especially in the winter). Should be a driver (bus will be difficult) but does not need to drive the client. Shifts will be 4 hours starting at 3pm (no leeway on start time as she needs to be picked up at the bus by 3:15pm). There will be a Friday shift from 12-5pm as well, some potential weekend coverage on Saturdays also needed from time to time.
Benefits

• Competitive wages based on experience and education
• Respectful and supportive working environment
• Ongoing and free training in specialized care areas by Registered Nurses
• Flexible schedules
• 24 hr On Call support
• Rewards for career milestones

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY

• Demonstrate an ability to care for and communicate with clients with cognitive, and/or mental health and addictions challenges.
• Encourage and support the client’s efforts to maintain and/or enhance their health, wellness, independence, and quality of life.
• Provide individualized, age appropriate, person-centered care, with a focus on physical, psychological, social, emotional, cognitive, cultural, and spiritual support.
• Provide medication assistance as assigned by a regulated health care professional.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide basic palliative and end-of-life care.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to the client displaying responsive/changing behaviors. Report and/or record client information in accordance with employer documentation standards and guidelines.
• Utilize knowledge of growth and development, the aging process, and related health conditions when implementing the care plan.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the client’s care plan and the role of the HCA in implementing the care plan.
• Promote the client’s ability to guide and participate in their own care to the greatest degree possible.
• Demonstrate sensitivity, compassion, and respect for the client’s beliefs and cultural traditions related to death, dying, and end-of-life care.
• Recognize and respect the client’s uniqueness, diversity, rights, and concerns and their ability to make choices, take risks, and have control over their life.

Collaborative Care: This domain refers to the ability to work collaboratively with the client, family, and all other members of the health care team to set and achieve common goals and provide safe, competent, and ethical care.

• Understand the role of each member of the health care team, including the client and/or family. Participate in the development and revision of the client’s care plan.
• Understand when to seek assistance and information from health care team members and demonstrate this ability.
• Report changes in the client to the appropriate regulated health care team member in a timely manner.
• Communicate the role and responsibilities of the HCA to the client, the family, and other health care team members.

Communication: This domain refers to the knowledge and skills required to develop, build, and maintain collaborative working relationships with the client, family, and other members of the health care team.

• Demonstrate proficiency in comprehension of the English language, including verbal and written communication.
• Use tone, verbal, and non-verbal communication that demonstrates respect, promotes the client’s dignity, and is culturally appropriate.
• Barriers could include vision, hearing, speech, and language disorders, including clients with cognitive impairment and/or mental health and addictions challenges.
• Identify and demonstrate use of verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and interventions to address responsive behaviors.
• Communicate through a variety of methods: written (electronic/paper, client chart and emails), verbal (telephone and in person).
• Use health care terminology as it relates to the HCA role.
• Recognize and adapt communication style to address client barriers to communication.
• Recognize, interpret, and respond appropriately to non-verbal cues.
• Utilize active listening skills to communicate with the client, family, and other members of the health care team.
• Demonstrate appropriate communication with the client, family, and other members of the health care team.
• Demonstrate effective use of information technology appropriate for health care settings.

Health Across the Life Span: This domain refers to the theoretical concepts, principles and knowledge required to promote physical, cognitive, psychological, cultural, social, and spiritual health and wellbeing of the client.

• Demonstrate knowledge of common effects of aging, as well as the effects of acute and chronic health conditions of the client.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of growth and development, the aging process, and psychosocial dimensions of health across the life span.
• Demonstrate knowledge of culturally competent care by recognizing and respecting the client’s unique physical, cognitive, psychological, cultural, social, and spiritual needs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology.
• Demonstrate appropriate interaction with clients who experience cognitive, behavioral, and psychological impairment (e.g., dementia and/or delirium).
• Demonstrate an understanding of the client's strengths, needs, rights, preferences, and expectations, and their willingness and ability to participate in their care.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the health care team’s responsibility with regard to advocacy in supporting the client to achieve optimal quality of life.

Safety: This domain refers to providing care and services that promote and maintain the health and well-being of the client.

• Demonstrate infection prevention and control principles and adhere to practice setting guidelines and policies.
• Recognize and respond to potential risks in order to prevent harm and avoid injury to the client, self and others.
• Understand and demonstrate the principles of safe food handling and safe mealtime assistance.
• Prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies, safety hazards, and unsafe situations that may endanger the HCA and/or the client.
• Demonstrate the ability to operate health equipment safely.
• Recognize and report signs of abuse and/or neglect.
• It also refers to preventing harm to the client, HCA and/or members of the health care team.
• Demonstrate safe use of body mechanics and patient handling techniques.
• Report and document incidents, adverse events and/or near misses according to practice setting guidelines and policies.

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination/harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.