Criticare/Chadds Ford Alternacare provides In-Home services to clients located within Delaware and Chester Counties in Pennsylvania. An important component of the In-Home program is the services our Home Health Aides/Companions provide to the elderly, the disabled, and to individuals recovering from illness or surgery. Our team of Home Health Aides/Companions are an integral part of that service and Criticare/Chadds Ford Alternacare strives to hire the very best home health aides/companions in the business!

Our Home Health Aides/Companions provide the following types of services:

• Personal Care: These services include activities of daily living such as assistance with bathing, grooming, skin care, nail care, shaving, and dressing. Also, assistance with ambulating, transferring, and toileting. Meal preparation and assistance with feeding is also included in this category of service.
• Home Support: These services include light housekeeping duties such as vacuuming, dusting, laundry, making the bed, changing the bed linens, cleaning the bathroom and kitchen.
• Respite Services: Respite services allows the primary caregiver in the home the opportunity to tend to their personal needs and to get additional rest.
• Escort/Transportation: Escort services assist the clients by transporting them to doctor's appointments, to the food store, church, etc. and providing the necessary support and assistance in the process.
• Companionship: This service includes engaging the client in conversation of their interest, participating in hobbies such as reading, crafts, and engaging them in a physical activity such as taking a walk.

Most In-Home Services are a combination of a number of the services described above.

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CNA's:

In the State of Pennsylvania, as in all other states throughout the nation, it is required that a worker be licensed as a Certified Nursing Assistant to work in a licensed nursing home. This licensure procedure has very specific requirements for educational preparation and upon completion of the educational requirements, the candidate must take a State administered examination. Upon successful completion of this process the State of PA issues the worker a certificate and license that must be updated yearly. If you wish to provide staffing to these facilities you must provide us with a copy of your current license.

CNA's have the educational preparation to provide more advanced services to their clients. In a facility such as a nursing home, CNA's receive their patient care assignments from and report to the nursing staff employed by that facility. The nursing staff also supervises and evaluates the work performed. CNA's working in the home may provide all of the services as described above.

HOME HEALTH AIDES:

In the State of Pennsylvania, it is not required that an individual providing care in the home be licensed or certified by the state. You may have a Home Health Aide certification but if you do not, you may still be a candidate for employment. Home health aides are not eligible for employment in a licensed skilled nursing home. However, the Home Health Aide is a very important and integral provider of care for individuals needing assistance in their home. Home Health Aides are able to provide all of the services as described above.

All Home Health Aides are monitored and supervised by the Nursing Administrators, or their designees, of Criticare/Chadds Ford Alternacare.

COMPANIONS:

At times Criticare/Chadds Ford Alternacare are requested by clients and/or their families to provide companionship services. Many of our elderly clients are isolated from their friends due to illness and the general aging process and lack stimulation. Companionship services are intended to help these individuals stay as mentally sharp and as physically active as possible.

In this situation there is very little "hands-on" care provided. Instead the Companion engages the client in stimulating conversation and other activities that may be of interest to the client. Additionally, the Companion encourages the client to stay physically mobile by taking the client for walks or short outings such as to the library or a local garden.

Individuals who are strictly Companions may not provide Personal Care services but are limited to Home Support, Escort and Companion services. Companions are monitored and supervised by the Nursing Administrators, or their designees, of Criticare/Chadds Ford Alternacare.

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The needs within the In-Home program are diverse and varied. Assignments range from 2 hours to 24 hours (live-in). All work assignments are located within Delaware and Chester counties. After successful completion of our application process, our Staffing Coordinator will contact you to discuss available assignments. You have the right to select those assignments that fit your schedule. Also, you will not be requested to provide services outside your skill level.

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HOW DO I GET STARTED

If you are a CNA, Home Health Aide or Companion and would like to provide services through Criticare/Chadds Ford Alternacare, you will need to schedule an appointment to complete an application and interview. It is preferred that you have at least 6 months of experience, either with another employer, individual client, or with a family member.

The application and interview process takes approximately 2 hours. During that time you will asked to complete a number of employment documents. You will also be interviewed to determine eligibility for employment. Additionally, you will be required to complete 2 inservice programs. One program is entitled, "Focus on Infection Control" which discusses issues relative to Bloodborne Pathogens. The other program is entitled, "Body Mechanics" that reviews the proper technique for lifting. At the completion of these programs you will be required to take a test for each of these subjects. You must successfully complete these examinations to be considered eligible for employment.

Additionally, each candidate must bring with them to the interview a valid driver's license or state issued picture ID card AND Social Security Card. If you do not have a Social Security Card you may substitute a birth certificate issued by the state, county, or located municipality. Other pieces of identification that may be substituted are: United States Passport, Certificate of United States Citizenship, Certificate of Naturalization, or Alien Registration Card with photograph. If you are a CNA you must have your current and valid license issued from the State of PA.

You also need to bring with you the names, addresses and telephone numbers of 3 references. Two of those references must be "work" references and the third may be a personal reference. Failure to bring this information will make you ineligible for employment.

If you are interested in being part of the In-Home team, call 610-459-8799 to schedule an interview/application appointment. If you have any further questions regarding this process, call 610-459-5093. For directions and a map, click here for directions and to view a map of our location.

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