Position Summary
The Personal Care Aide (PCA) provides essential support services to individuals who need assistance with daily living activities due to age, illness, disability, or recovery from surgery. The PCA works under the supervision of the Care Coordinator to implement individualized care plans while promoting client autonomy, comfort, and well-being. This role requires patience, reliability, and a genuine desire to help others maintain their independence at home.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide personal hygiene assistance including bathing, oral care, hair care, and grooming
- Assist with dressing and selection of appropriate clothing
- Help clients with toileting, incontinence care, and catheter maintenance
- Support clients with eating and drinking, including meal preparation
- Assist with mobility and safe transfers using proper techniques and equipment
- Perform range of motion exercises as directed in the care plan
- Complete light housekeeping tasks essential to client health and safety
- Provide companionship and emotional support to clients
- Remind clients to take medications at prescribed times
- Observe, record, and report client status and any changes to supervisor
- Maintain accurate documentation of services provided
- Respect client rights, privacy, and dignity at all times
Qualifications
Required:
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred
- Completion of state-approved PCA training program or equivalent experience
- Minimum 3 months of caregiving experience
- Valid driver’s license and auto insurance
- Clean driving record
- Successful completion of criminal background check
- Negative drug screen and TB test results
Preferred:
- CNA certification
- Experience with Hoyer lifts and other transfer equipment
- Training in dementia care
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to lift and transfer clients weighing up to 50 pounds with assistance
- Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch frequently
- Standing and walking for extended periods (up to 8 hours)
- Fine motor skills for personal care tasks
- Adequate vision and hearing to observe client conditions
- Physical stamina to complete demanding care tasks
Working Conditions
- Services are provided in private residences and assisted living facilities
- Potential exposure to communicable diseases and biohazardous materials
- Variable schedules including early mornings, evenings, and weekends
- Must be available for on-call and emergency coverage as needed
- Independent work with limited direct supervision
- Regular travel between multiple client locations