Hospice Aid

Affinity Hospice Management LLC; Cape Elizabeth (ME); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Affinity Hospice Management LLC in Maine seeks a compassionate Hospice Aide to work under a registered nurse, assisting with personal care and comfort as outlined in each patient’s plan of care. The role emphasizes reporting observations, safeguarding patient safety, and effective communication with patients and families while maintaining confidentiality and professional standards.

Responsibilities include mobility assistance, daily living activities, medication reminders within state rules,

Qualifications

• Completion of a state approved certified nursing assistant course or equivalent training.
• Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC).
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification (hands-on demonstration required).
• Current Food Handlers Permit.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care given.
• Understands hospice philosophy and care for the terminally ill.
• Prior hospice or long-term care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform personal care tasks after patient assignment, report if unable to perform.
• Provide patient and family with respectful communication, maintain confidentiality.
• Ensure safety and proper use of equipment.
• Assist with baths, hygiene, and changing bed linens.
• Assist with dressing and undressing as assigned.
• Assist with feeding; avoid home-made foods from caregivers.
• Monitor skin for breakdown and report concerns.
• Report pain or changes in condition to RN Case Manager.
• Assist in ambulation and gentle exercise as instructed.
• Provide range of motion and positioning support.
• Assist with medications reminders as allowed by state regulations.
• Assist with bedpans, urinals, light laundry, and waste disposal.
• Perform ROM and simple procedures with competency.
• Provide respite for family/caregiver when on-site.
• Keep living area clean and orderly.
• Adhere to care procedures and professional conduct.
• Participate in quality improvement activities.
• Respect patient and family environment and needs.
• As mandatory reporter, report DOH non-compliance within 14 days.
• Report suspected abuse or neglect to authorities.

Skills

NAC certification

CPR certification

EMR documentation

Communication skills

Home health care experience

Education

State-approved CNA course

High school diploma/GED

Food Handlers Permit

NAC certification

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

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.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• 1. 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.
• 2. Providing patient and family with positive communication techniques, within realm of ethical and respectful care, including confidentiality.
• 3. Meeting safety needs of patient and using equipment safely and properly (foot stools, side rails, O2 etc.)
• 4. Giving personal care including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos and changing bed linen as often as assigned.
• 5. Assisting in dressing and undressing patients as assigned.
• 6. Assisting in feeding the patient as assigned. Hospice Aides may not provide patients with homemade food items or baked goods that they themselves prepared
• 7. Providing proper care and observation of patient's skin to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominence.
• 8. 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.
• 9. Assisting in ambulation and exercise as instructed by the hospice nurse or therapist.
• 10. Provide normal range of motion and transfers/positioning as directed.
• 11. Assistance with self-administered medications as allowed by state regulations, such as "reminders."
• 12. Offering and assisting with bedpans and urinals. Providing assistance as assigned with light laundry needs, emptying waste baskets and other light homemaker tasks.
• 13. Performing range of motion and other simple procedures as ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency.
• 14. Providing respite for patient's/family/caregiver when on-site, as appropriate.
• 15. Keeping patient's living area clean and orderly, as assigned.
• 16. Adhering to the organization's documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct.
• 17. Participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
• 18. Respectful of patient and family/caregiver environment and patient's personal needs.
• 19. 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.
• 20. 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.

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.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• 1. Completion of a state approved certified nursing assistant course or equivalent training
• 2. Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC)
• 3. 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)
• 4. Current Food Handlers Permit
• 5. High school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED)
• 6. Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care given.
• 7. Understands hospice philosophy, comfortable providing specialized care to the terminally ill.
• 8. Prior experience in hospice, orderly, acute , rehabilitative, or long term care facility. 1 year previous home health/hospice experience preferred
• 9. Basic computer skills to document in electronic medical records (EMR)
• 10. At least 18 years of age.
• 11. Licensed driver with automobile that is insured in accordance with organization requirements and is in good working order.