Paraprofessional Health Institute

On-the-job Training

• Consumer and worker rights and responsibilities
  • Can explain the philosophy of independent living and the role of the consumer in directing their own care
  • Respects the consumer’s rights to privacy and independence
  • Observes the boundaries between the consumer’s expectations and the worker’s rights
  • Can describe the signs of physical, mental, financial and sexual abuse and explain the importance of reporting abuse
• Understanding of physical and sensory impairments
  • Can describe medical and social issues related to traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury and other diseases
  • Can describe strategies for communication with consumers with visual, hearing and speech impairments
• Health and safety
  • Can identify and recommend solutions to hazards in the home
  • Is able to plan for and respond to emergencies in collaboration with the consumer
  • Practices techniques to avoid back injury, including proper body mechanics/back protection and the use of the hoyer lift when needed that respond to the preference of the consumer
  • Practice effective personal and household infection control
• Technology and special needs
  • Demonstrate care of the ventilator-dependent client
  • Demonstrate tracheotomy and Foley catheter care for paraplegic and quadriplegic clients
  • Demonstrate proper body mechanics/back protection and the use of the hoyer lift when assisting paraplegic and quadriplegic clients
  • Can identify early signs of skin breakdown in clients who use wheelchairs and take appropriate action
  • Demonstrate knowledge of special wheelchair cushions and their care