HCA 107 Personal Care and Assistance

Notes:

Learning Outcomes with Indicators:

1. Perform personal care skills in an organized manner ensuring the comfort and appropriate independence of the client:
   • 1.1 Organize and implement care according to client needs.
   • 1.2 Encourage independence of the client as much as possible.
   • 1.3 Encourage client communication and engagement during personal care.
   • 1.4 Maintain client privacy and dignity.
   • 1.5 Assist the client with personal hygiene and grooming.
   • 1.6 Assist the client with movement and ambulation.
   • 1.7 Use aids to promote comfort, relaxation, and sleep.
   • 1.8 Take and record vital signs accurately (temperature, pulse, respirations).
   • 1.9 Assist the client with eating and drinking.
   • 1.10 Assist the client with medication as per the client’s care plan. (HCAs are not permitted to administer medication by any method without regulated health professional authorization).
   • 1.11 Provide specialized, sensitive care for the dying client in line with palliative care principles.
2. Apply an informed problem-solving process to the provision of care and assistance:
   • 2.1 Observe the client and situation.
   • 2.2 Observe for changes in the client’s health status.
   • 2.3 Identify priorities for care within the care plan.
   • 2.4 Use appropriate health care team members as resources to augment one’s own problem-solving and decision-making.
   • 2.5 Follow the care plan for each client.
   • 2.6 Conduct caregiving or assisting activities.
   • 2.7 Reflect on and evaluate effectiveness of care or assistance.
   • 2.8 Carry out recording requirements.
   • 2.9 Use creativity and flexibility when required to adapt care and assistance to a variety of contexts.
3. Provide personal care and assistance within the parameters of the HCA role:
   • 3.1 Comply with the legal parameters of practice for the HCA role.
   • 3.2 Collaborate with other members of the health care team.
   • 3.3 Use appropriate lines of communication.
   • 3.4 Demonstrate dependability, reliability, honesty, and integrity.
   • 3.5 Adhere to the client’s activities of daily living (ADL) and care plan.
4. Provide care and assistance in ways that maintain safety for self and others in a variety of contexts:
   • 4.1 Wear safe and appropriate clothing, including identification.
   • 4.2 Observe the environment prior to commencing care.
   • 4.3 Adjust the environment, as appropriate, to ensure safety and promote efficiency.
   • 4.4 Organize time and equipment for safety and efficiency.
   • 4.5 Adhere to the principles of body mechanics.
   • 4.6 Adhere to the principles of medical asepsis and infection-control practices.
   • 4.7 Recognize and make wise choices in situations of potential risk to self or others.
   • 4.8 Exhibit flexible and adaptable behaviour in a variety of contexts.
   • 4.9 Recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations.

Prerequisites: Admission to HCA Program