Hospice Aide

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Requires a high school diploma or equivalency, successful completion of a Board of Nursing approved training and competency evaluation program, current listing with the Division of Facility Services Registry, and one year of patient care and record keeping experience in an acute care or custodial setting. Must have documented proof at least 75 certified education hours. Applicants with less than one year of experience will be considered on an individual basis with approval of the Administrator.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Must be able to independently organize work and provide effective health care services to hospice patients through appropriate patient care, and document said care thoroughly, accurately, and completely on a timely basis. Minimum of twelve (12) hours continuing education required annually. CPR certification required. Must have a valid drivers' license. Accept travel based on agency need as well as weekend/evening and holiday call assignments.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Patient care -80%, Travel - 15%, Office - 5%.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to stoop or kneel, bend, lift, push up to 50 pounds, reach with hands and or arms, and smell frequently when providing patient care and performing office related duties. Must be able to use hands to write, type and perform other duties to meet the needs of the patient and family. Must be able to operate and move from a vehicle to a patient's residence with supplies and/or equipment multiple times daily.

Must frequently be able to walk up and down stairs in patient residences. Occasional exposure to blood and body fluids, sharps, and infectious disease. Frequent exposure to dangerous animals and traffic hazards while making home visits. Frequent encounters with patients and other situations that present a potential threat to personal safety. Occasionally encounters temperature change and weather extremes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

* Provide direct patient care of hospice/homecare services.

* Provide appropriate documentation as required.

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

* Provide direct patient care and coordination of hospice/homecare services.

* Provide/assist patients with personal care needs, to include bath, transfer and ambulation, and care of the mouth, skin, and hair as assigned by the hospice/home health RN. Reinforce principles of care to patient/family.

* Provide patient care treatments as assigned by the hospice/home health - RN, as appropriate under the Nurse Practice act and as ordered by the physician. Tasks may include: changing non-sterile dressings, monitoring fluid intake and output, oral suctioning, and basic catheter care (refer to Home Care Assistant Skills Inventory).

* Perform incidental household services within the patient's immediate environment that are necessary to prevent or postpone institutionalization, including laundering necessary to the comfort and cleanliness of the patient; ensuring nutritional needs of the patient are met; washing utensils used in the course of the visit; and light housekeeping. (May include changing bed linens, light cleaning and rearrangement of equipment and supplies to accommodate patient needs.)

* Responsible for making visits on assigned patients on weekdays/ weekends/ holidays.

* Follow the aide assignment sheet appropriate to the patient's needs and condition as developed and assigned by the hospice/home health nurse-RN.

* Coordinate services with the Clinical Manager/Registered Nurse and other agency personnel to optimize patient care, as well as, with the patient, family, and community agencies.

* Update the hospice/home health nurse on the patient's condition and/or patient/family situations affecting care and report changes in the patient's condition immediately.

* Plan the weekly patient schedule based on the visit frequency ordered and in the best interest of the patient. Notify patients of any schedule changes.

* Attend and participate in IDT meetings, and quality review as scheduled by the agency.

* Provide appropriate documentation as required.

* Complete documentation of patient care data and company required records on a timely basis.

* Document coordination of team services as necessary.

* Other job duties as assigned.