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.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

• 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.
• Planning and preparing nutritious meals, including shopping, as assigned.
• Assisting in feeding the patient as assigned.
• Taking and recording oral, rectal and auxiliary temperatures, pulse, respiration and blood pressure when ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency.
• Providing proper care and observation of patient's skin to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominence.
• Assessing and reporting on patient's condition and significant changes to the 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.
• Performing range of motion and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service 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.

Position Qualifications

Meets the training requirements of the State. Completed a minimum of 75 hours of classroom and supervised practical training. Sixteen hours of class room 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. Understands 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 maintains 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. This probationary period is to ensure the aide is competent in the above qualifications, and is documented by the supervisor and the employee.

Job Limitations

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.

Skills Required

Good oral and written communications Good organizational skills

Working Conditions

Community home environment Exposure to infectious diseases In and out of automobile

Employer Information

The employer for this position is stated in the job posting. The Pennant Group, Inc. is a holding company of independent operating subsidiaries that provide healthcare services through home health and hospice agencies and senior living communities located throughout the US. Each of these businesses is operated by a separate, independent operating subsidiary that has its own management, employees and assets. More information about The Pennant Group, Inc. is available at Zion's Way Home Health & Hospice is committed to providing personalized life-changing service across Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. Whether you are on the road to recovery and are benefiting from our home health services or enjoying time with loved ones as you near the end of life with the assistance of our hospice program, our mission remains the same. We believe that healthcare services must be customized to respect the personal circumstances and unique needs of our clients. Our passion is in serving our communities. Let our home health and hospice experts assist you in obtaining the information and resources you need to take care of your loved one. Our education team is available at no cost to help you on your journey and point you in the right direction.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.