Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Unit 35 The Nursing Assistant in Home Care.

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.

Unit 35

The Nursing

Assistant in Home Care


Objectives

• Spell and define terms.• Describe the characteristics that are

especially important to the nursing assistant providing home care.

• List at least 10 methods of protecting your personal safety when working as a home care assistant in the community.


Objectives

• Describe the duties of the nursing assistant who works in the home setting.

• Describe the duties of the homemaker assistant.

• Carry out home care activities needed to maintain a safe and clean environment.


The Home Health Caregiver

• In Unit 33– You learned about the structure of home

health care

• In this unit– You will learn more about the

responsibilities of the nursing assistant (home health assistant) working in the client’s home


The Home HealthAssistant and the Nursing Process

• You are part of the nursing process during:– Assessment– Planning– Implementation– Evaluation


Characteristics of Home Care Nursing Assistant and Homemaker Assistant

• The home care nursing assistant and homemaker assistant – Must have a full measure of the

characteristics you have already come to associate with a successful hospital-based assistant



• Remember that you will be working directly with the client and his or her personal possessions– Without a supervising nurse constantly with

you



• This means you must demonstrate:– Honesty– Self-starter ability– Self-discipline– Accuracy and attention to details– Organization


The Nursing Bag

• Prepare a tote bag, back pack, or other carrying case to use as a nursing bag

• Your bag should help keep your supplies organized and easy to find


The Nursing Bag

• Fabric or outside of the bag should be washable or easy to clean

• Stock your bag with enough supplies to carry you through the day without having to replenish it


The Nursing Bag

• Bring your nursing bag in the house at night– Never leave your bag in the car, which

invites theft– Heat and cold extremes may damage

some of your equipment and supplies

• People associate your bag with helping clients


The Nursing Bag

• Make it clear that the bag does not contain any medications or syringes

• When leaving your car for a short period of time– Store the bag out of sight and lock the

doors


Personal Safety

• Personal safety is always a concern for home care workers

• Be alert to the conditions and people around you

• Inform your employer promptly if you believe unsafe conditions exist


Safety in the Home

• Your first visit to the home is an opportunity to check for safety factors

• Tell a family member or the supervising nurse about safety problems


Assisting with Medications

• Physician may prescribe medications for clients receiving home health care

• Nursing assistants are not legally responsible for giving medications– However, you may have to supervise a

client as he or she self-administers medications


Elder Abuse

• As a home health assistant:– You may observe clients who might

possibly be abused

• Unit 4– Describes the various types of abuse that

may be inflicted by staff members, family members, or other residents


Housekeeping Tasks

• In some cases, the homemaker assistant will perform the housekeeping tasks.


Housekeeping Tasks

• In other cases, the home health assistant may be assigned some or all of the following duties:– Cleaning the client’s room– Cleaning the bathroom– Cleaning the kitchen


Housekeeping Tasks

• You also may need to perform other duties, such as:– Food management – Laundry


Discarding Medical Waste

• Place contaminated supplies in a plastic bag and close tightly.

• Double bag if the outside is torn or contaminated.

• Seal the bag by using a twist tie, taping, or tying.


Discarding Medical Waste

• Dispose of the bag in the household trash– Take it outside to the trash can, if possible

• Wash your hands or use alcohol hand cleaner.

• Sanitize all contaminated equipment and surfaces appropriately.

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Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Unit 35 The Nursing Assistant in Home Care.

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