Hospice Aide - Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

General Position Description:

The Hospice Aide provides personal healthcare and related services to the patient in their place of residence, assists in providing a safe and clean environment, works cooperatively with the patient and family, and shares observations and problems with the supervisor. The aide works under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse and reports to the Hospice Administrator.

Role Expectations:

• Provides direct patient care to patient under the direction of the RN and according to the Aide Plan of Care that supports patient/family needs are met. 
• Provides necessary skills to assist the patient with safe transfers and ambulation per the Hospice policy. 
• Provides necessary skill to appropriately report changes and document pertinent information and care rendered to patient to ensure continuity of care. 
• Practices accepted infection control principles. Provide a clean, safe, and comfortable environment. 
• Promotes positive, supportive, respectful communication with patients/family and other employees. 
• Provides an environment that promotes respect for patients, privacy, and property. 
• Provides skills necessary to assist the patient with proper nutrition and adequate fluid intake. 
• Promotes the Hospice philosophy and administrative policies to ensure quality of care.
• Provides care utilizing infection control measures (OSHA)
• Assures the continuity of care through delivery of quality patient care.
• Demonstrates commitment and professional growth by participating in hospice-sponsored in-service programs and maintaining or improving competency. 
• Performs on-call/after-hours responsibilities and provides on-call/after-hours services to patients and their families as assigned. Examples include weekend and holiday coverage rotations.
• Timely submission of all required paperwork.
• Meets productivity standards.
• Transportation: Reliable transportation and valid auto liability insurance

Education and experience:

• Education: High School Diploma Preferred. Has successfully completed one of the following: A) Training program/competency evaluation as specified in §418.76(b)(c) of the Medicare regulations; B) Competency evaluation program that meets §418.76( c); C) Nurse aide training/competency evaluation program approved by the state and listed in good standing on the state nurse aide registry; D) State Licensure program that meets requirements of §418.76(b)©.
• Experience: At least one year experience preferred as a Hospice Aide or Nursing Assistant in a hospital, nursing home, home health agency, hospice or long-term care facility or completion of Certified Nursing Assistant or Certified Home Health Aide Program.
• Skills: Must be able to read, write, and verbally report clinical information to patients, representatives, and care givers, as well as to other hospice staff. Demonstrates interest in the welfare of the ill and elderly. Successful completion of the Aide Competency Evaluation Skills Checklist that meets §418.76© and written Skills Test
• Transportation: Reliable transportation, valid driver license and auto liability insurance.
• Skills: Strong interpersonal skills

Physical Requirements:

1. Environmental and Working Conditions: Works in patient homes in various conditions; possible exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and infectious diseases; ability to work a flexible schedule; ability to travel locally; some exposure to unpleasant weather; PRN emergency calls.
2. Physical and Mental Effort: Prolonged standing and walking required, with ability to lift up to 50lbs and move patients. It requires working under some stressful conditions to meet deadlines and patient needs, make quick decisions and resource acquisition, and meet patient/family individualized psychosocial needs. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
3. Ability to communicate with patients, families, physicians, co-workers, and visitors to be able to exchange accurate information regarding patient condition and health status. Ability to exchange and express information by means of language and communicate information effectively.
4. Ability to hear the nature of sounds. Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times.
5. Ability to view tablet and electronic Health Records and review, assess, record, or type data quickly and accurately.
6. Ability to travel to patient homes and office/support center locations as needed to deliver care or for education purposes.