Caregiver Qualifications and Screening

All of our caregivers are employees of Amdal In-Home Care, which means we handle liability insurance, worker's compensation insurance and payroll tax reporting. Our caregivers are thoroughly screened, tested and oriented to Amdal In Home Care policies and procedures. We utilize a thorough caregiver skills-matching system which documents what specific abilities and knowledge each caregiver has. Only caregivers that have the skills you require will be considered for your care.

Caregivers are always introduced into the home by your local office Care Coordinator. The plan of care is reviewed and the caregiver will be oriented to your care before he or she is brought into the home for an introduction. Not everyone makes a personality match. If you request a different caregiver, we will work with you to find out why and, as appropriate, replace the caregiver with one who is a better fit in your home environment. 

In order to be hired as an Amdal In-Home Care Caregiver, an applicant must:

  • Have at least one-year of professional senior care experience
  • Pass a thorough background examination including previous employment verification
  • Complete the process to be registered on the required California Home Care Services Bureau database 
  • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
  • TB Clearance
  • Pass training/skills testing courses in: Alzheimer’s/Dementia Issues, End-of-Life Care Issue, Common Aging Related Issues, and Infection Control
  • Be at least 18 years of age, with a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Be proficient in reading and writing the English language. We also look at our caregivers abilities to deal tactfully and respectfully with clients, their families, and co-workers, and to make sound decisions. 

The specific abilities our caregivers must have are too numerous to list here, but some of the most important skills they must have include Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as:

  • Bathing/Grooming
  • Hair care
  • Oral care
  • Nail care
  • Incontinence care
  • Transferring clients (to and from chairs, beds, toilets, etc.)
  • Stand-by assistance for ambulation
  • Healthy meal preparation
  • Light housekeeping and laundry
  • Medication reminders
 

Evaluating Caregiver Effectiveness

Our most successful, happy clients form a close bond with our care staff, and we encourage a caring and trusting relationship to form. It is equally important, however, that the caregiver/client relationship remain professional, with clear standards of conduct.

We expect that all parties treat each other with respect and courtesy. In short, Amdal In-Home Care strives to effectively manage the relationship between the client and the Amdal In-Home Care staff. We strive for honesty and integrity in all our dealings.

SPECIFIC AREAS WE LOOK AT IN EVALUATING CARE EFFECTIVENESS INCLUDE: 

  • Does the family respond positively to our regular calls inquiring about caregiver performance?
  • Has the family registered any complaints, concerns or suggestions about our care, and is a specific caregiver involved? What has Amdal In-Home Care done to resolve the situation?
  • Is the client meeting benchmarks defined by medical care providers? Is Amdal In-Home Care doing its part in encouraging compliance with physicians orders?
  • Is the caregiver communicating any changes of condition, unusual behaviors, or other client-centered issues to the local office for follow-up with family or other healthcare professionals?
  • Is the caregiver showing up and leaving promptly at scheduled times?
  • Are we following the agreed-upon plan of care to the family’s satisfaction?
  • Is the family asking caregivers directly to perform duties outside the plan of care or outside our normal scope of care?
  • Is the caregiver dressing and behaving in a professional manner as outlined in our policies and procedures?