Program Assistant (Home Health Aide)

We are seeking a compassionate and driven Home Health Aide (Program Assistant) to join our Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) team. The ideal candidate will play a key role in facilitating person-centered care programs and providing daily assistance to participants aged 18 years and older with varying diagnoses and disabilities. This includes both in-person and virtual platforms to deliver quality therapeutic recreational activities and assistance with activities of daily living.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assists with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, oral hygiene, nail care, transferring, and walking for both male and female participants.
• Supports daily person-centered care programs, coordinating with the recreation therapist to ensure diverse activities that cater to the participants' social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and recreational needs.
• Participates in virtual programs on platforms like Zoom, as needed.
• Monitors participants' vital signs and ensures personal protective equipment (PPE) is used appropriately.
• Provides support for the nutrition program, including maintaining statistics, ordering meals, and serving food.
• Fosters a safe and engaging environment for participants and promotes positive interactions within the group.
• Ensures compliance with all facility policies and necessary health and safety regulations.

• Insures the safety and well-being of participants during personal care by using appropriate precautions and guidelines;
• Assists with clinical services such as vital signs, strength training and special therapies;
• Monitors for and reports changes in participants' behavior, participation in activities, eating/personal habits and general well-being;
• Works to maintain an overall pleasant environment in the center;
• Participates and contributes in staff meetings and daily rounds;
• Assists with planning, sets up and conducts therapeutic recreational activities as scheduled;
• Replenishes supplies as necessary and stores activity equipment after use;
• Completes documentation in accordance with agency protocol, licensing and Medicaid requirements;
• Under the direction of the Senior Home Health Aide, plans and serves meals, based on special dietary needs of participants, and requirements of CMP, licensing and health department;
• Maintains a clean, safe, pleasant and healthy environment in the dining area and kitchen;
• Observes and assists participants during meals.

• Ability to accurately observe, record and note changes in behavior, participation, and general well-being of participants;
• Ability to prioritize competing demands of participant care and documentation;
• Ability to learn protocols and procedures for safely and effectively assisting physically and mentally impaired adults with the activities of daily living;
• Ability to assist with client transfers from sitting to standing and standing to sitting;
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs;
• Ability to communicate clearly in English both orally and in writing;
• Ability to communicate effectively with cognitively impaired adults;
• Ability to establish and maintain friendly rapport with physically and/or mentally disabled adults;
• Ability to learn procedures for managing anxious, agitated or aggressive behavior;
• Ability to learn safe food handling practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications within 60 days of hire.
• Limited Food Handlers Certification within 60 days of hire.

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license;
• Experience working with older adults with multiple chronic conditions including dementia;
• Experience in leading group activities in person and using virtual platforms;
• Knowledge using the internet to conduct searches to assist in planning recreational activities;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.