Lacombe & District FCSS HOME SUPPORT PROGRAM Employee Guidelines June 2011 1
Hiring Procedures All Home Support Providers (employees) are expected to adhere to the policies set out in the Lacombe and District Family and Community Support Services Employee Policy Manual. Training Meetings are part of the ongoing service training program, and employees are expected to attend. In those instances when Employees cannot attend, they are expected to notify the Home Support Coordinator. Annual Performance Review Employee performance reviews will be completed by the Home Support Coordinator. A position description outlining the duties and responsibilities of each position will be kept on each employee s confidential file with other pertinent documents. Placement The Home Support Coordinator will assign Employees to clients on the basis of: The employee s availability to accept the placement. Compatibility with the client. The employee s capability to perform the required tasks for the placement. The employee s proximity to the client s home. The client s best interest is always the first concern, but when more than one Home Support Provider meets the criteria for a placement, then the seniority of the employee is taken into consideration. The employee is expected to remain with the client until the placement is completed or until circumstances warrant a change. At no time will an employee leave a placement without advance approval from the Coordinator. No personal company of the employee is allowed while on duty. 2
Alcohol/Drugs Employees must never purchase alcohol or illegal drugs for clients. At no time may an employee be permitted to work in a state of alcohol or drug impairment. Employees are not permitted to partake of either of these substances during scheduled work hours or rest periods. In situations of drug or alcohol impairment, the employer will take steps necessary to protect the client and ensure the provision of quality care. Refreshment Break The employee may have a short refreshment break with client and individuals of the client s family. Most families enjoy sharing lunch or coffee with the Home Support Provider. This time together enables the families to become better acquainted with their Home Support Provider. Home Support Providers are expected to use good judgment in managing their time when they participate in these kinds of activities with their client. Unusual Incidences If a situation arises whereby an employee feels incapable of handling, they are instructed to request the assistance of a supervisor. The Executive Director should be contacted in the event that the supervisor is unavailable. An incident report must be filed within 24 hours of the incident. Confidentiality All Information pertaining to client interactions must be treated with complete confidentiality. No information about a client or their situation may be given out to telephone callers or visitors. The employee may direct such requests for information to the supervisor. All complaints from clients and visitors must be relayed to the supervisor. Never ignore any complaints, no matter how trivial or unreasonable they may seem. Professionalism Employees shall not become involved in the personal affairs of clients relating to legal, financial, family or property matters. Employees are expected to be supportive to the client, but impartial to the above matters. They must not take the role of a counselor. Home phone numbers should not be given to clients. 3
Be warm and friendly without intimacy do not burden clients with your personal problems. Know when your involvement is creating a sense of dependency for you or the client and be willing to step back. Be aware of your feelings and know how to handle them. You may be annoyed or frustrated with clients or the working conditions or worried about something personal. Keep in mind that it is not acceptable to reveal these feelings to clients. Cooperate with agency staff remember you are part of a team. Smoking Employees are not permitted to smoke while in a client s home while on duty. Telephone Employees should refrain from using the client s telephone for personal calls. On occasion, if it is important to contact the Supervisor, an employee should obtain permission to use the telephone. When using the telephone employees must be cautious that confidentiality is not compromised. Long distance calls are not permitted. Vehicle Insurance & Compensation Employees are expected to have a reliable car, a valid driver s license and $1 million PLPD insurance. Home Support Providers will be compensated for work-related travel for clients living in Lacombe County or Blackfalds only, at pre-determined round trip rates set by Lacombe FCSS. Kilometres travelled within the City of Lacombe for the purposes of serving clients in the program are not compensated. Compensation is paid out at $.52/km for work-related travel. Workers Compensation All employees are covered by Workers Compensation. Employees must report to the office any and all incidents or injuries in the course of employment within 24 hours of the incident. Incident Procedure If a client has an accident while in the presence of an employee, or if the employee arrives to find the client injured or seriously ill the main concern should be the welfare of the client. The procedure as outlined should be followed: Call 911 4
Make the client comfortable. When safe to do so phone the Supervisor. File a written report within 24 hours of the incident. Event of Death If an employee arrives at a client s home and finds them deceased, they are to call 911 immediately. The employee should stay in the home, without moving anything and call their supervisor. Communication with the Supervisor It is of paramount importance that an employee maintains good communication with supervisory personnel. Employees may not make unauthorized changes to their schedule, so that the supervisor will be able to make contact during work hours. Clients should be discouraged from telephoning an employee at home regarding cancellations or requests for changes in schedules; these changes should go through the office. An employee should notify the Lacombe FCSS office in the event of unusual circumstances such as: A client is not at home when the employee arrives. A client requests duties that the supervisor has not requested the employee to do. A client has to leave home early and is unable to sign the time sheet. The employee feels more time or less time is required to complete the work. Supervisors should be informed of any marked deterioration in a client, suspected drug or drinking problems, or any concerns about client illness. Finances Client fees should never be discussed. Home Support Providers must refer the client to Lacombe FCSS for any questions they may have about fees and must also obtain receipts and account for any money used for a client. Home Support Providers should not take their purse, wallet, or other personal items into the client s home if it can be avoided. 5