Paraprofessional Health Institute

Communication and problem-solving skills

Personal care skills including demonstration of ability to perform skills

Health-related skills including demonstration of ability to perform skills

Additional knowledge about disease processes

Safety, Confidentiality and Infection Control

Nutrition and care of the home

The philosophy of independent living, consumer and worker rights and responsibilities in relation to the rights of consumers with disabilities

Overview of physical and sensory disabilities

Understanding of communication issues between workers and consumers with disabilities

Safety in the home

Review of safe transfers and proper lifting techniques, wheelchair and maintenance of specialized cushions designed to prevent skin breakdown

Advanced infection control

Special care techniques -- including return demonstrations of ventilator- dependent care, tracheotomy care, catheter care and prevention of skin breakdown

Personal health and stress reduction

Pain and symptom management

Care when death is near

Family, cultural and spiritual considerations

Scope and standards of palliative and hospice nursing assistant practice

Advanced communication skills

History of the treatment of mental illness in the U.S. including de- institutionalization

Factors which contribute to mental illness and the effects of mental illness on a person’s life

Types of mental illness and abnormal behavior patterns that are common in mental illness

The role of the Home Health Aide in caring for clients with mental illness

Differentiating between therapeutic and non-therapeutic relationships

Recognition of personal feelings and biases toward mental illness and response to negative triggers