Certified Nurse Aide

Job Summary

The hospice aide is a paraprofessional member of the interdisciplinary team who works under the supervision of a registered nurse and performs various services for a patient as necessary to meet the patient's personal needs and to promote comfort. The hospice aide is responsible for observing the patient, reporting observations and documenting care performed. The hospice aide will be assigned in a manner that promotes quality, continuity and safety of a patient’s care.

• Perform personal care needs after a patient’s assignment and attend to his/her requests promptly.
• Report to the Case Manager immediately if unable to perform a certain task.
• Meet safety needs of the patient and use equipment safely and properly (foot stools, side rails, O2, etc.).
• Give personal care, including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos and changing bed linens as assigned.
• Assist in dressing and undressing patients as assigned.
• Plan and prepare nutritious meals, including shopping, as assigned.
• Assist in feeding the patient as assigned.
• Take and record oral, rectal and axillary temperatures, pulse, respiration and blood pressure when ordered, demonstrating the required competency.
• Provide skin care to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominences.
• Report significant changes in the patient’s condition to the Case Manager.
• Maintain awareness of the caregiver or other individuals living with the patient and address interpersonal issues.
• Assist in ambulation and exercise as instructed by the hospice nurse or therapist.
• Offer and assist with bedpans and urinals.
• Assist with light laundry needs as assigned.
• Perform range‑of‑motion and other simple procedures as an extension of therapy services, when ordered and demonstrated as competent.
• Provide respite for the patient, family or caregiver when on‑site, as appropriate.
• Keep the patient’s living area clean and orderly, as assigned.
• Adhere to the organization’s documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct.
• Participate in quality assessment, performance improvement teams and activities.
• Respect the patient and family/caregiver environment and the patient’s personal needs.

The hospice aide will not perform any activities that constitute nursing practice according to the Nurse Practice Act, including administering medications, taking physician’s orders or performing sterile procedures.

Candidate must have successfully completed a state‑established or other training program that meets the requirements of S 484.36(a) and a competency evaluation program, or a state licensure program that meets the requirements of S 484.36(b), and must meet the state’s training requirements. The candidate must be at least 18 years of age and able to read, follow written instructions and document care given.

Qualifications include:

• Understanding of hospice philosophy and comfort‑focused care for the terminally ill.
• Good references from previous employers.
• Self‑directing and able to work with little supervision.
• Comfort with death and dying, and a calm demeanor in a patient’s home.
• Empathy for the needs of the ill, injured, frail and impaired.
• Current CPR certification.
• Good personal hygiene, tact and patience.
• Ability and access to reliable transportation for agency travel, with a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good organizational skills.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to ensuring that all conditions and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, evaluation, transfer, promotion, discipline, determination of compensation and benefits, and termination of employment, for all job classifications are based on qualifications and record. No employment decision is made, nor do we discriminate, on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex/pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran status or disability.