Hospice Aid

Affinity Hospice Management LLC; South Portland (ME); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Affinity Hospice Management LLC is seeking a hospice aide to work under the supervision of a registered nurse, performing tasks according to the patient’s plan of care to promote comfort and meet personal needs.

You will assist with personal care, bathing, grooming, mobility, and proper documentation. Requires CNA/NAC certification, CPR, and the ability to follow written instructions; prior hospice or long-term care experience preferred. Driving may be required.

Qualifications

• Completion of a state approved CNA course or equivalent training.
• Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) certification.
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification (hands-on skills required).
• Current Food Handlers Permit.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care given.
• Understanding hospice philosophy and comfort with terminally ill care.
• Prior experience in hospice, long-term care, or similar settings preferred.
• Basic computer skills to document in EMR.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Licensed driver with insured vehicle in good working order.

Responsibilities

• Perform personal care tasks as assigned, report any issues promptly.
• Provide patient and family with respectful communication and confidentiality.
• Ensure safety and proper use of equipment during care.
• Assist with baths, hygiene, shampoos, and changing bed linen.
• Help with dressing and undressing as assigned.
• Assist in feeding and avoid homemade foods prepared by staff.
• Monitor and report skin condition to prevent pressure injuries.
• Report pain or changes in condition to the RN Case Manager.
• Assist in ambulation and prescribed exercises.
• Provide ROM and transfer/positioning as directed.
• Assist with self-administered medications per state regulations (reminders).
• Assist with bedpans, urinals, light laundry, and light homemaker tasks.
• Perform range of motion and simple procedures as competency allows.
• Provide respite when on-site for patient/family/caregiver as appropriate.
• Keep living area clean and orderly; adhere to policies and procedures.
• Participate in QA/PI activities and maintain professional conduct.
• Respect patient/family environment and personal needs.
• Report non-compliance with Dept. of Health requirements within 14 days.
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to appropriate authorities.

Skills

Compassionate patient care

Effective communication

Read and follow written instructions

Education

State approved CNA course

NAC (Nursing Assistant Certified)

Healthcare Provider CPR certification

Food Handlers Permit

High school diploma or GED

Licensed driver with insured vehicle

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.