Caretaker

SVT HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICESCaregiver – Job Role & ResponsibilitiesJob TitleHome Healthcare Caregiver / Patient Caregiver / Patient Care Assistant

Job PurposeThe Caregiver is responsible for providing safe, compassionate and respectful day-to-day support to patients at home. The caregiver assists patients with personal care, daily activities, mobility, nutrition, comfort and basic observation while following the instructions provided by the patient’s family, nurse, doctor or SVT Home Healthcare Services supervisor.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Personal Care

• Assist the patient with bathing, bed bath, grooming and dressing.
• Assist with oral care, hair care and general hygiene.
• Help with toileting, commode, bedpan and urinal when required.
• Assist with diaper changing and maintain proper hygiene.
• Maintain dignity, privacy and comfort of the patient.

2. Feeding & Nutrition

• Assist patients with eating and drinking.
• Provide feeding assistance as instructed by the family or healthcare professional.
• Follow the prescribed diet and feeding schedule.
• Observe and report difficulties with swallowing, vomiting, poor appetite or other concerns.

3. Mobility & Patient Transfer

• Assist patients with walking and movement as appropriate.
• Support safe transfer from bed to wheelchair, chair or other approved locations.
• Assist with positioning and repositioning of bedridden patients.
• Take appropriate precautions to reduce fall and injury risks.

4. Bedridden Patient Care

• Regularly reposition the patient according to the care plan.
• Maintain cleanliness and dryness of the patient's bed and clothing.
• Observe the patient's skin for redness, wounds or pressure-related problems and report concerns promptly.
• Maintain patient comfort and proper positioning.

5. Medication Support

• Remind the patient about prescribed medicines according to the provided schedule.
• Assist with medication-related routines only within the caregiver's training and authorized responsibilities.
• Do not independently change, stop or prescribe medication.
• Immediately report missed doses, unusual reactions or medication concerns to the family/nurse.

6. Basic Observation & Reporting

• Observe changes in the patient's general condition.
• Report fever, breathing difficulty, unusual weakness, confusion, pain, reduced appetite, vomiting, falls or other significant changes immediately.
• Maintain accurate information regarding the patient's daily care and observations.
• Contact the SVT supervisor/family promptly when assistance is required.

7. Medical Equipment Support

• Assist with basic patient use of equipment when properly trained and instructed.
• Keep patient-care equipment clean and safely arranged.
• Do not operate medical equipment or perform clinical procedures beyond the caregiver's training and authorization.

8. Exercise & Rehabilitation Support

• Assist the patient with prescribed mobility or exercise activities as instructed by a nurse, physiotherapist or doctor.
• Encourage safe movement and independence wherever appropriate.
• Never force a patient to perform an exercise or activity.

9. Emotional Support & Companionship

• Communicate politely and respectfully with the patient.
• Provide companionship and emotional support.
• Maintain patience with elderly, bedridden, dementia or dependent patients.
• Respect the patient's personal, cultural and family preferences.

10. Infection Control & Safety

• Follow proper hand hygiene and infection-control practices.
• Use gloves and other protective equipment when required.
• Maintain a clean and safe patient-care environment.
• Follow proper procedures for handling soiled materials and patient waste.
• Report accidents, injuries or safety hazards immediately.

11. Communication & Coordination

• Maintain professional communication with the patient's family.
• Follow instructions provided through the approved care plan.
• Cooperate with nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and SVT supervisors.
• Inform SVT immediately about service-related issues, patient emergencies or caregiver difficulties.

Professional ConductThe caregiver must:

• Be punctual and maintain the assigned duty schedule.
• Wear clean and appropriate clothing/uniform while on duty.
• Maintain professional behaviour at all times.
• Respect patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Treat the patient and family members with dignity and respect.
• Avoid arguments, inappropriate behaviour or disrespectful communication.
• Not misuse the patient's belongings, money, medicines or personal property.
• Not leave the patient unattended without proper permission or replacement arrangements.
• Follow SVT Home Healthcare Services policies and instructions.

Important Scope of WorkA caregiver is primarily responsible for non-clinical patient support and activities of daily living. Clinical procedures such as injections, IV medication, wound dressing, catheter insertion, oxygen management or other nursing procedures should only be performed by appropriately qualified and authorized healthcare professionals. Indian healthcare-sector standards distinguish caregiver/home-health-aide duties from qualified nursing responsibilities.

Emergency ResponsibilityIn case of an emergency:

1. Stay calm and remain with the patient.
2. Immediately inform the patient's family/SVT supervisor.
3. Contact emergency medical services or seek urgent medical assistance when necessary.
4. Follow the instructions of qualified healthcare professionals.
5. Do not attempt procedures beyond your training or authority.

Core Qualities ExpectedCompassion • Patience • Responsibility • Punctuality • Cleanliness • Communication • Observation • Honesty • Respect • Teamwork

ReportingThe caregiver shall report to the SVT Home Healthcare Services Supervisor/Coordinator and cooperate with the patient's family and qualified healthcare professionals as required.