Hospice Aide

Hospice Aide

The hospice aide works under the supervision of a registered nurse and performs various tasks as assigned in accordance with the patient’s plan of care to meet the patient's personal needs and to promote comfort. The hospice aide is responsible for reporting and documenting observations and care performed. The hospice aide will be assigned in a manner that promotes quality, continuity and safety of a patient's care.

Responsibilities of the hospice aide include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performing personal care needs after given a patient's assignment and attending to his/her requests promptly. If unable to perform a certain task, report to the Case Manager immediately.
• Providing patient and family with positive communication techniques, within realm of ethical and respectful care, including confidentiality.
• Meeting safety needs of patient and using equipment safely and properly (foot stools, side rails, O2 etc.)
• Giving personal care including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos and changing bed linen as often as assigned.
• Assisting in dressing and undressing patients as assigned.
• Assisting in feeding the patient as assigned. Hospice Aides may not provide patients with homemade food items or baked goods that they themselves prepared
• Providing proper care and observation of patient's skin to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominence.
• Reporting any complaint of pain or other symptoms or changes in the patient's condition to the RN Case Manager. Also aware of the caregiver or other individuals living with the patient and interpersonal issues.
• Assisting in ambulation and exercise as instructed by the hospice nurse or therapist.
• Provide normal range of motion and transfers/positioning as directed.
• Assistance with self-administered medications as allowed by state regulations, such as “reminders.”
• Offering and assisting with bedpans and urinals. Providing assistance as assigned with light laundry needs, emptying waste baskets and other light homemaker tasks.
• Performing range of motion and other simple procedures as ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency.
• Providing respite for patient's/family/caregiver when on-site, as appropriate.
• Keeping patient's living area clean and orderly, as assigned.
• Adhering to the organization's documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct.
• Participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
• Respectful of patient and family/caregiver environment and patient's personal needs.
• As a mandatory reporter, reports failure to comply with the requirements of the Dept. of Health as required within 14 calendar days, using Dept. of Health forms.
• Reports suspected abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of a person in violation of the department of social and health services and the proper law enforcement agency. Reports must be submitted immediately when the reporting person has reasonable cause to believe that abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of a vulnerable adult has occurred.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description.

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.

Position qualifications:

• Completion of a state approved certified nursing assistant course or equivalent training
• Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC)
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification ((may not be internet based unless the demonstration of skills was hands on and observed by a certified trainer)
• Current Food Handlers Permit
• High school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED)
• Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care given.
• Understands hospice philosophy, comfortable providing specialized care to the terminally ill.
• Prior experience in hospice, orderly, acute, rehabilitative, or long term care facility. 1 year previous home health/hospice experience preferred
• Basic computer skills to document in electronic medical records (EMR)
• At least 18 years of age.
• Licensed driver with automobile that is insured in accordance with organization requirements and is in good working order.