Certified Nursing Assistant for Hospice Services

Essential duties and responsibilities

Provides emotional and physical support to terminally ill individuals and their families/significant others.

Assists in improving the terminally ill individual's quality of life during the final stage of life.

Provides respite care to the families and significant others who are caring for terminally ill individuals in the home.

Maintains and promotes the independence of the patient and family and assists in maintaining a safe, healthful environment.

Participates in the Interdisciplinary Group meetings as appropriate.

Assists with personal care activities including:

baths (tub, showers, bed, bath)

mouth care, denture care, skin care, foot care

grooming (shampoo, dry and comb hair; shave, ordinary care of nails)

transferring (bed to chair, to wheelchair, to tub, to shower)

dressing and undressing activities

ambulation

turning patient in bed and positioning for comfort

Assists with household tasks directly essential to the patient's health, including:

planning and preparing meals

assisting in feeding patient if appropriate

light housekeeping of patient's immediate environment

changing linen, making bed

laundering of patient's clothing and bedding

Measures and records oral, rectal, axillary temperatures, pulse, respiration and blood pressure when ordered (within the training limitations of the aide).

Meets safety needs of patients including safe use of equipment (foot stools, side rails, step stools, wheelchairs, oxygen, etc.)

Performs range of motion and other simple procedures as an extension of therapy services as ordered (within the training limitations of the aide).

Assists the patient in self-administration of medication, i.e., reminding the patients to take their medications.

Performs or assists patients to perform activities in accordance with the personal services care plan, such as change ostomy appliances, reinforce or change simple non-sterile dressings, measure intake or output, external catheter care, and any other tasks as taught and supervised by the RN and in adherence to state/federal regulations.

Immediately reports any changes in patients' conditions or incidents to Primary Care Nurse/Director of Hospice Services.

Accurately documents services provided in accordance with Hospice policies and procedures on the day services are rendered. Submits documentation in a timely manner.

Participates in staff development programs as appropriate for home health aides. Assumes personal responsibility to participate in discipline appropriate education to meet the annual education requirements (12 hours/12 months).

Accepts responsibility for maintaining skills, learning and adhering to the Hospice's policies and procedures on an on-going basis.

Promotes the image and reputation of the System by exhibiting servant leadership and providing direct and open lines of communication.

Contributes to the work of committees, workgroups, project management, and other collaborative efforts of the System.

Performs other duties as necessary to ensure the success of the System.

Skills and abilities

Must be able to function in a practice environment with minimal direct supervision, accepting personal responsibility for maintaining a professional relationship with the Hospice's patients and their families.

Ability to meet Hospice's conditions of employment regarding health clearance, and provisions of references.

Transports self to patient's home/Facility, may be in multiple locations in a workday