Certified Nursing Assistant

Job Description Summary

The hospice aide is a paraprofessional member of the interdisciplinary group 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 these observations and documenting observations and care performed. The hospice aide will be assigned by a Registered Nurse in a manner that promotes quality, continuity and safety of a patient's care.

• Perform personal care needs after being assigned a patient and attending to their requests promptly.
• Report inability to perform a certain task to the Case Manager immediately.
• Provide patient and family with positive communication techniques, within the realm of ethical and respectful care, including confidentiality.
• Meet safety needs of 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 linen as often 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 auxiliary temperatures, pulse, respiration and blood pressure when ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency.
• Provide proper care and observation of patient's skin to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominence.
• Assess and report on patient's condition and significant changes to the Case Manager.
• Be aware of the caregiver or other individuals living with the patient and interpersonal issues.
• Assist in ambulation and exercise as instructed by the hospice nurse or therapist.
• Provide normal range of motion and transfers/positioning as directed.
• Assist with self‑administered medications as allowed by state regulations, such as "reminders".
• Offer and assist with bedpans and urinals.
• Provide assistance as assigned with light laundry needs.
• Perform range of motion and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service as ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency.
• Provide respite for patient's/family/caregiver when on-site, as appropriate.
• Keep 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 patient and family/caregiver environment and patient's personal needs.

• Meet the training requirements of the State.
• Completed a minimum of 75 hours of classroom and supervised practical training.
• Sixteen hours of classroom must be completed prior to a mandatory 16 hours of practical training.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care given.
• Understand hospice philosophy, comfortable providing specialized care to the terminally ill.
• Satisfactory references from previous employers.
• Is self‑directing with the ability to work with little direct supervision.
• Secure with issues of death/dying.
• Provides a calm manner when in a patient’s home.
• Has empathy for the needs of the ill, injured, frail and the impaired.
• Possess and maintain current CPR certification.
• Demonstrates tact, patience and good personal hygiene.
• Licensed driver with automobile that is insured in accordance with organization requirements and is in good working order.
• Successfully completes a probationary period, which is documented by the supervisor and the employee.

The hospice aide will not function in any manner viewed as the practice of nursing according to the Nurse Practice Act. Specifically, the hospice aide will not administer medications, take physician's orders or perform procedures requiring the training, knowledge and skill of a licensed nurse, such as sterile techniques.

• Good oral and written communication.
• Good organizational skills.

• Community home environment.
• Exposure to infectious diseases in and out of automobile.

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/or benefits, and termination of employment, for all job classifications, are based on qualifications and work 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.