Certified Nursing Assistant, Home Health and Hospice - Pool

CNA Position

The CNA for both Home Health and Hospice patients provides personal care and emotional support under the direction of the registered nurse or therapist in accordance with a written plan of care and the CNA scope of practice. Performs other duties as assigned.

Schedule: Pool/PRN - Variable as needed

Shift: Days

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides age-specific assistance to patients to achieve maximum self-reliance within medically determined limitations and according to the HHA Care Plan developed by the RN, PT, ST, OT.
• Assists the patient with personal hygiene, according to the HHA Care Plan, including: Bed, sponge, tub bath or shower; perineal care; hair care, including shampoo, brushing or combing; care of feet and nails; and oral hygiene. Can apply medicated shampoo and/or shampoo requiring a physician prescription. Provides skin care and preventative skin care using only non-medicated or non-prescription products. May provide oral suctioning as part of mouth care. May assist patient with shaving only with an electric or safety razor. May perform nail care for patients not compromised with peripheral circulatory problems or neuropathy.
• Assists patient with dressing. May apply support stockings that can be purchased without a physician prescription.
• Ability to empty urinary catheter bag and ostomy appliance
• Assists the patient with exercises, including passive assistance limited to normal bodily movement. May encourage a prescribed exercise program.
• Assists the patient with functional activities under the direction of the RN or PT, ST, OT including: ambulation and transfers, whether full or partial assist, and use of toilet, commode, bedpan or urinal. Uses assistive devices such as walker, cane, wheelchair, gait belt and Hoyer lift appropriately
• May provide medication reminders when medications are pre-selected and stored in medication minders or pill boxes. Medication reminders include inquiries as to whether medications were taken.
• Assists with normal feeding when the patient can independently swallow and can be positioned upright. May not feed a patient who has been determined to be at a high risk for choking.
• Accurately measures and records vital signs; measures and records weight, as indicated by RN, PT, OT, ST
• Performs simple household chores necessary to maintain patient hygiene and safety.
• May perform additional patient-related skills with applicable training and competency
• Reports changes in patient's condition to Case Manager and-or supervisor
• Appropriately records patient observations using agency documentation and submits within agency specified timeframes.
• Uses age-appropriate therapeutic communication techniques, including active listening skills; provides emotional support during all stages of illness, including the end of life, to patient and families; maintains appropriate boundaries and professional relationships with patients and families.
• Demonstrates proper use of PPE, hand washing and bag technique to promote infection control and safety.
• Assumes accountability for assigned equipment (both medical and computer equipment as applicable)
• Attends mandatory in-services and attains a minimum of twelve hours of in-service/continuing education annually; appropriately documents in-service hours.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of a CNA program required. Advanced CNA program preferred.
• Home health and/or hospice experience preferred.

Certification and Licensure:

• CNA certification in applicable state required
• Must be eligible to work in home health and hospice settings per state certification
• Approved CPR or BLS certification required within 90 days of hire

Additional Requirements:

• Passing the Driver's License Check and/or Credit Check (for those positions requiring).
• Passing the WI Caregiver Background Check and/or IL Health Care Workers Background Check.
• Must be able to follow written/oral instructions.

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is variable
• Occupational Exposure: Category A - All partners in the specified job classification have occupational exposure.

Age of Patients Served:

• Adult (18 years 64 years)
• Geriatric (65 years and older)

Information Access:

Partner may access patient care information needed to perform their job duties.

Work Contact Group:

Partners, physicians, patients/family, visitors, vendors

Special Physical Demands:

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Level of Supervision:

Some independent judgment is required, but alternatives are limited by standard practices and procedures.

Pay Range:

$16.56 - $26.51

Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and benefits, including retirement, time off, on-demand pay, access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and more.

At Mercyhealth, we don't simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated care across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including:

• Number one in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50
• One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers
• A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women