Health Care Aide

The Health Care Aide (HCA) with the Rural West Cochrane Home Care team provides patient care services as an unregulated worker under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The Health Care Aide provides direct care to clients in their homes in both the community and lodge setting. Please note this position requires driving to Rural areas up to 60 kms away from the Cochrane Community Health Centre. Responsibilities will include providing personal care and assists with activities of daily living as outlined in the care plan, including but not limited to personal hygiene, dressing, feeding, grooming, transferring and mobilizing; Provides emotional support by being a good listener, being supportive, being friendly and sincere, and interacting in a positive and optimistic manner; Provides respite care to relieve family caregivers including but not limited to companionship, recreational activities, and supervision; Performs health care duties as authorized on the client's plan of care including simple dressings, medication assistance, catheter care, ostomy care, and exercises for range of movement and strengthening. PLEASE NOTE: This posting is scheduled to close at 23:59 of the posting end date but may be filled earlier if a Regular Employee who holds a position within this workplace expresses their interest in this vacancy by 23:59 on the 5th calendar day following the posting date. In the event that no Regular Employee from this workplace expresses their interest by the deadline, the vacancy shall be filled under the provisions of the collective agreement.

As a Health Care Aide (HCA), you will work as a collaborative member of the multi-disciplinary team providing personal assistance including supporting activities of daily living and support services to patients (clients, residents) who require short-term assistance or ongoing support, in accordance with the patient care plan and facility policies and procedures. In this position you will work closely with patients, families, and caregivers spanning the continuum of care in home, community or health care facilities assisting nurses with the provision of routine care to meet patients' hygiene, nutrition, mobility, recreation and safety needs, assisting with organized activities or programs and observing and reporting on a patient's mood, health, and wellbeing. Working under a regulated health professional you will be assisting in the maintenance of a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors, and maintaining effective communication with patients and health professionals.

Completion of Health Care Aide Certificate within 18 months of hire and active directory status on the Alberta Health Care Aide Directory. Must provide a confirmation letter as proof of enrolment from the Directory at https://www.albertahcadirectory.com/health-care-aides/confirmation/. Nursing students currently enrolled in an approved Alberta nursing program who have successfully completed a minimum of 100 hours of practicum; and are either in their 1st year of practical nursing program; or 2nd year of baccalaureate nursing or psychiatric nursing program will be considered. Must attest to this compliance and provide proof of qualification.

In addition, you must meet one of the following Alberta Health Services (AHS) Health Care Aide (HCA) competency requirement and provide evidence at time of hire: Certified - certified as a Health Care Aide through a Government of Alberta licensed post-secondary institution using the Provincial Health Care Aide Curriculum; or Substantially Equivalent - an educational background deemed equivalent as compared to the approved Provincial Health Care Aide Curriculum; or Deemed Competent - assessed as competent by an Alberta regulated nurse, using the Provincial Competency Assessment Profile Tool. The candidate must have Basic Cardiac Life Support - Health Care Provider (BCLS-HCP) from Heart and Stroke Foundation within the last 12 months. In addition, the candidate must be effective in verbal and written English, have well developed time management skills, demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills with patients/clients, families, visitors and team members. This candidate must demonstrate the ability to work as a member of a team (including requesting and accepting direction as required). Handling, moving and lifting heavy up to 50lbs or awkward equipment and/or individuals is required for this position.

The candidate must be proficient and have a minimum of 1 year experience with computers and operational programs such as ESP, PARIS, Connect Care, and Microsoft Excel.