POSITION SCOPE The Home Support Worker / Continuing Care Assistant works under the direct supervision of the Nursing Supervisor. The incumbent is responsible for carrying out direct home support services to clients in their own homes as authorized by Continuing Care Nova Scotia Care Coordinators and as directed through the client care plan, DCHSA policies, and Nursing Supervisor direction.

Services may include, but are not necessarily limited to, personal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, family relief, palliative support, mobility and transfer support, medication assistance/administration where authorized, and competency-assured client care interventions that fall within the CCA Occupational Standards of Practice, DCHSA scope of employment, employer policies/procedures, and the employee’s demonstrated competency.

TYPICAL DUTIES

Maintaining the focus on client independence, dignity, safety, and person-centred care is an ongoing Home Support Worker / Continuing Care Assistant responsibility. The incumbent may perform any one or a combination of the following duties:

Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living

· Provides or assists with tub bath, sponge bath, shower, shaving, hair grooming, mouth care, skin care, dressing and undressing.

· Provides care of hands and feet in accordance with agency policy, care plan direction, and competency verification. Nail trimming or foot care is performed only when authorized by employer procedure and within assessed client suitability.

· Assists with toileting and elimination support, including routine catheter care, specimen collection, ostomy pouch emptying/cleaning/changing where authorized, and related hygiene support.

· Encourages client independence and participation in care to the greatest extent safely possible.

Mobility, Transfers, Positioning, and Equipment

· Assists clients to move around the home, including walking, transfers, positioning, maintaining good posture, and use of personal aids and equipment.

· Uses secure handling and mobility techniques, body mechanics, mechanical lifts, SaraStedy or similar transfer devices, slings, transfer aids, and mobility equipment in accordance with the care plan, employer procedure, equipment instructions, and competency verification.

· Assists with active and passive range of motion exercises, braces/splints, TED/compression stockings, and other routine care plan interventions where authorized and competency-assured.

· Recognizes unsafe transfer or mobility situations and escalates concerns before proceeding when required.

Medication, Monitoring, and Care Plan Related Interventions

· Assists with medication processes, including reminders, observing/reporting compliance or non-compliance, and medication assistance/administration where authorized by care plan, employer policy, and competency verification.

· Measures and records vital signs as directed, including temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level using appropriate equipment.

· Provides routine support related to home oxygen as directed by the care plan and employer procedure, including observation, safety awareness, reporting concerns, and documentation.

· Documents care provided, observations, changes in client condition, abnormal findings, and care plan related concerns in accordance with agency policy.

Light Housekeeping, Meal Preparation, and Laundry

· Completes authorized light housekeeping, including sweeping/sponge mopping floors, cleaning bathroom areas, vacuuming living areas, dusting,



wiping counters/appliances, garbage disposal, and attending to home safety.

· Prepares, serves, stores, and cleans up after meals as authorized, including advance meal preparation where applicable.

· Assists or supervises client eating as authorized and reports concerns related to nutrition, swallowing, appetite, or safety.

· Completes authorized personal and household laundry, including changing bed linen, washing, drying, folding, hanging, and putting items away.

Other Responsibilities

· Provides family relief while encouraging appropriate client activity.

· Provides palliative care support, including overnight respite, as authorized.

· Reviews the care plan and AlayaCare notes before providing service and follows documented client-specific instructions, restrictions, and supervisor directions.

· Requests instruction, refresher training, or supervisor support in any procedure, equipment, or care situation with which the employee is not familiar or does not feel competent or confident.

· Does not perform an intervention when the task is outside the care plan, outside agency policy, outside the CCA standards/scope of employment, or beyond the employee’s demonstrated competency.

· Informs the Nursing Supervisor about changes in client status, safety concerns, incidents, near misses, equipment concerns, or care plan inconsistencies.

· Completes reports, daily activity records, progress notes, and other documentation in a timely manner.

· This is not intended to be all-inclusive. Its purpose is to describe the scope of duties and may be revised from time to time as required.

CLIENT-SPECIFIC COMPLEXITY AND TRAINING REVIEW

DCHSA uses an employee-focused competency assurance model. Competency for standardized CCA interventions is verified during orientation, annual competency assurance training, practical demonstration, and/or current practical work experience. Client-specific training is not automatically required for every client receiving a routine competency-assured intervention.

· The Nurse Supervisor will complete an initial visit or clinical review for clients requiring competency-assured interventions to review intervention complexity and determine whether client-specific training is required.

· Client-specific training, in-home demonstration, return demonstration, scheduling restriction, or regulated professional consultation may be required when the client’s condition, equipment, care environment, intervention complexity, or risk profile deviates from standard procedure.

· The incumbent must follow all documented client-specific instructions and must notify the Nursing Supervisor if the client situation appears different from the documented care plan or if the employee requires additional support.

OCCASIONAL DUTIES

1. Participates, upon request, in case conferences.
2. Participates in individual and/or group supervision, staff meetings, training programs, competency assurance sessions, and refresher training as requested.
3. May serve on or participate on committees as required by the Agency.
4. May mentor CCA students or new staff and provide feedback to the RN/LPN Supervisor.





KNOWLEDGE / SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED
1. Fully trained CCA, PLAR student, or other approved classification as determined by the Agency.
2. Knowledge of the CCA Occupational Standards of Practice, DCHSA policies/procedures, care plan application, documentation, reporting, confidentiality, and client safety expectations.
3. Ability to function as a team player while respecting clients, families, co-workers, supervisors, and other care providers involved in the total care plan.
4. Ability to organize and carry out tasks efficiently and safely while working independently in a home care environment.
5. Ability to identify and report changes in client condition, safety risks, abnormal findings, equipment concerns, and care plan discrepancies.
6. Good telephone etiquette, written communication skills, and documentation practices.
7. Flexibility to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
8. Maintains professionalism, confidentiality, and respectful boundaries.

CREDENTIALS
1. Must possess a valid driver’s license and appropriate insurance coverage, as required by the Agency.
2. Must have access to a reliable automobile.
3. Must have a provincially recognized diploma/certificate from a training institution and be registered in the provincial CCA Registry, where employed under the CCA title.
4. Must have clear Vulnerable Sector and Child Abuse Register Checks.
5. Must maintain required certifications and complete Agency-required orientation, annual competency assurance, and refresher training.

JUDGEMENT AND INITIATIVE REQUIRED The HSW / CCA works independently in client homes and must exercise sound judgement in routine and urgent situations. The incumbent must recognize when to proceed, when to pause, when to seek clarification, and when to escalate to the Nursing Supervisor or emergency services according to agency policy. NATURE AND EXTENT OF CONTACTS

· Within Agency: Occasional contact with Agency Director, Nursing Supervisors, Schedulers, Administrative Assistant, Accountant/Bookkeeper, Adult Day Program staff, and other Home Support Workers.

· Outside Agency: Daily contact with clients and families. Occasional contact with Care Coordinators, VON, health professionals, community partners, and emergency services as required.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECISIONS AFFECTING EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS The HSW / CCA’s ability to budget time, travel efficiently, use supplies responsibly, and use client/agency equipment safely impacts the Agency’s ability to provide safe, effective, and cost-efficient service.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND VISUAL DEMANDS The position requires travel, independent work, safe handling and mobility tasks, documentation, attention to client safety, and the ability to respond appropriately to changing home care environments.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT The nature of the HSW / CCA role presents avoidable hazards for which training, competency assurance, safe work practices, and reporting are required. This position involves considerable travel and potential driving in adverse weather conditions. The employee works extensively in the client’s home and is normally the primary contact and representative of the Home Support Agency.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent, Casual

Pay: $22.34-$24.18 per hour

Benefits

- Company pension
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Work Location: On the road

📌 Continuing Care Assistant (Digby)
🏢 Digby Clare Home Support Agency
📍 Digby