Certified Nursing Assistant

Guardian Hospice; Sherman (TX); On-site; USD 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Guardian Hospice seeks a dedicated hospice aide to work under RN supervision in patient homes, providing compassionate personal care and documenting observations. You will help meet basic needs, promote comfort, and support safety and continuity of care.

Requirements include completion of state caregiver training or licensure, CPR certification, a valid driver’s license, and strong communication skills with empathy for terminally ill patients.

Qualifications

• CPR certification to be current.
• Empathy for ill and dying patients.
• Reads and follows written care plans and documents care.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care and assist with daily activities.
• Follow safety protocols and use equipment properly.
• Assist with meals, feeding and nutrition planning.
• Record vital signs and report changes to Case Manager.
• Support mobility and range of motion as directed.
• Maintain clean, orderly patient living areas and documentation.

Skills

CPR certification

Empathy

Communication skills

Reads and follows instructions

Valid driver’s license

Education

State caregiver training program or licensure

Job description

JOB 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 in a manner that promotes quality, continuity and safety of a patient's care.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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.
• 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 axillary 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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

JOB REQUIREMENTS (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

Effective August 14, 1990, a person who has successfully completed a state established or other training program that meets the requirements of S 484.36(a) and a competency evaluation program, or state licensure program that meets the requirements of S 484.36(b), or a competency evaluation program or state licensure program that meets the requirements of S 484.36(b).

• Meets the training requirements of the State.
• 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.
• The ability to drive and/or have access to transportation for agency related travel (e.g. community partners, patients, etc.) is an essential function of the job. Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license, maintain automobile insurance coverage and have access to an automobile.
• Good oral and written communications
• Good organizational skills

At Guardian Hospice, we are always looking for dedicated people to become members of our caring team. The majority of our staff stay with our organization for a very long time, for they appreciate the way they are treated. We have created a family environment that promotes respect, support, understanding, high ethical values, and love. These same principles are the foundation of our program for the people we serve.