Direct Care Staff Manual

This manual is written at a 5th-8th grade reading level to help direct care staff understand their important job. Direct care staff help people with daily living activities, provide emotional support, and ensure safety. This guide covers basic duties, communication skills, safety rules, and how to handle common situations. Below are the main sections you need to know.

Your Role and Responsibilities

As direct care staff, your main job is to help clients with their daily needs and keep them safe.

Communication Skills

Good communication helps build trust with clients and team members.

1. Listen carefully: Look at the person, don't interrupt, show you understand.
2. Speak clearly: Use simple words, talk calmly, be respectful.
3. Body language: Smile, nod, use friendly facial expressions.
4. Ask questions: If you don't understand, ask for clarification.
5. Respect privacy: Don't share client information with others who don't need to know.

REMEMBER! Treat clients how you would want to be treated. Be patient and kind.

Daily Care Activities

Each day, you will help clients with routine activities.

1. Morning routine: Help with waking up, bathing, dressing, and breakfast.
2. Medication times: Follow the schedule exactly as written.
3. Meal times: Prepare food according to dietary needs, eat together when possible.
4. Activities: Help with exercises, hobbies, or outings as planned.
5. Evening routine: Help with dinner, evening care, and getting ready for bed.

IMPORTANT! Always follow the care plan and ask your supervisor if you have questions.

Safety and Emergency Procedures

• Fall prevention: Keep walkways clear, help with mobility, use safety equipment.
• Fire safety: Know exit routes, fire alarm locations, and evacuation procedures.
• First aid: Know basic first aid and CPR if certified.
• Emergency contacts: Keep important phone numbers handy.
• Incident reporting: Report any accidents or concerns immediately.
• Infection control: Wash hands often, use gloves when needed, clean surfaces.

Professional Behavior

Being professional means acting responsibly and respectfully at all times.

Do: Be on time, dress appropriately, follow rules, keep client information private, be honest, ask for help when needed.

Don't: Use phone for personal calls during work, share client stories on social media, accept gifts from clients, lose your temper with clients.

Boundaries: Maintain professional relationships - be friendly but not friends with clients.

Documentation and Reporting

Writing down what you do is important for client care and legal reasons.

1. Daily notes: Write what activities you did with clients, any changes you noticed.
2. Incident reports: Fill out immediately if something unusual happens.
3. Medication records: Document when medications are given (if trained).
4. Communication log: Write notes for the next staff member.

Tip: Write clearly, be accurate, don't guess - if you're not sure, ask.

Working with Families and Team

You are part of a team that includes clients, families, and other staff.

1. Be respectful to family members - they know the client well.
2. Share important information with your supervisor and team.
3. Attend staff meetings and training when scheduled.
4. Ask for help when you need it - teamwork makes the job easier.

REMEMBER! Everyone wants what's best for the client - work together.

Self-Care and Stress Management

Taking care of yourself helps you take better care of others.

Get enough sleep, eat healthy meals, take breaks when needed, talk about stressful situations with your supervisor, practice deep breathing when stressed, maintain hobbies outside of work.

IMPORTANT! If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help. Burnout helps no one.

Common Problems and Solutions

Resources and Contacts

Supervisor: [Name and phone number]
Emergency: 911
Office: [Phone number]
After-hours contact: [Phone number]
Training coordinator: [Name and phone number]

Remember: Your work makes a real difference in people's lives. Thank you for your caring service!