← Training and employer review plan
Hands-on practice · Observed by a supervisor
Skills competency checklist
Reading lessons is not enough to keep clients and caregivers safe. A supervisor watches each skill, coaches, and marks it complete only when the caregiver performs every step correctly. Skills marked “if used” or “if applicable” are required only when the caregiver’s assignments include them. Keep the signed checklist in the personnel file with the training log.
Caregiver: ________________________ Date: ____________ Evaluator: ________________________
New-hire skills (complete with orientation, before working alone)
| Skill | What the evaluator looks for | Done correctly | Initials / date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handwashing with soap and water | Wets hands, soaps, scrubs all surfaces, between fingers and under nails for at least 20 seconds, rinses, dries with a clean towel, turns off faucet with the towel. States when soap and water is required (visibly soiled, before eating, after the toilet, diarrhea / C. diff / norovirus). | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Hand sanitizer | Uses at least 60% alcohol product, covers all surfaces, rubs until dry (about 20 seconds). | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Putting on and removing gloves | Cleans hands first. Removes gloves without touching the outside with bare skin (glove-in-glove), discards, cleans hands. States when to change gloves between tasks. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Body mechanics | Feet apart, knees bent, back straight, load close, turns with feet without twisting. States when to stop and get help. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Wheelchair safety | Locks both brakes, moves footrests aside before a transfer, checks client position. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Gait belt (if used in assignments) | Explains to client, applies over clothing at waist, snug with flat-hand check, holds from underneath. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Sit-to-stand and pivot transfer (if in the care plan) | Non-skid shoes on, client sits at edge first, blocks feet, never lifts under arms or lets client hold neck, moves feet in direction of transfer. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Walking with a client | Walker or cane within reach, stands slightly behind on the weaker side, lets client set the pace, watches for fatigue or dizziness. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Guiding a falling person and post-fall steps | Demonstrates or verbalizes widening stance and guiding down while protecting the head; does not lift after a fall; lists 911 criteria (head strike, blood thinner, pain, confusion, cannot rise); reports every fall. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Calling 911 (role-play) | Gives full address with cross street first, client age and what is happening, stays on the line, prepares medication list and DNR/POLST for paramedics, then calls the office. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Stroke and emergency recognition | States BE FAST signs and that time of onset matters. States heat-stroke and choking responses. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Fire extinguisher and oxygen safety | Verbalizes PASS and when not to fight a fire; states oxygen rules (no smoking or flames, away from heat, never change the flow). | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Earthquake response | Demonstrates Drop, Cover, Hold On; states wheelchair (lock wheels, cover head) and in-bed (stay, pillow over head) responses. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Medication reminder and refusal (role-play) | Reminds, hands labeled container, reads label, records taken or refused; declines to change a dose or fill a pill organizer; calls the office. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Reporting a change in condition (role-play) | Gives a four-part report: what I saw, when it started, what I did, what I need. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Responding to a person with dementia (role-play) | Calm approach from the front, short sentences, does not argue, checks for an unmet need, redirects to a familiar activity. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Abuse reporting channel | States the duty to report suspected abuse; locates the LA County hotline (1-877-477-3646) and the SOC 341 / online report and the two-working-day deadline. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice |
Personal care skills (complete during annual training, or before the first assignment that needs them)
| Skill | What the evaluator looks for | Done correctly | Initials / date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dressing | Offers choices, keeps client covered and seated, dresses the weaker side first and undresses it last. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Repositioning in bed | Explains, protects privacy, rolls with support, pads bony areas, raises heels; states the care-plan schedule (often every 2 hours). | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Oral and denture care | Client upright, soft brush, cleans dentures over a lined sink, stores in water or solution, reports mouth problems. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Sponge bath and perineal care (verbalize or simulate) | Privacy, warm water checked, clean to dirty, front to back, changes gloves, checks skin, dries well. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Emptying a catheter bag (if applicable) | Gloves, bag kept below the bladder and off the floor, opens drain over container without touching the tip, records amount if required, never disconnects or pulls the catheter. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice | |
| Feeding assistance and swallowing safety | Upright seating, follows texture plan, small bites, watches for coughing or wet voice, keeps upright after meals per plan. | ☐ Yes ☐ Needs practice |
Sign-off
Caregiver signature: ______________________ Evaluator signature: ______________________