Hospice Assistant

Hillcrest Health & Living; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health insurance

Vision, dental, and life insurance

Professional development/CE

Dayforce Wallet pay

Gym membership reimbursement

Career growth opportunities

Team-based hospice care

Job summary

Hillcrest Home Care is seeking a compassionate Hospice Assistant to provide hands-on personal care in patients’ homes and residential settings, working closely with an RN and the hospice team to support comfort, dignity, and quality of life. The role includes observation, documentation, and collaboration with family members and care staff.

Ideal candidates demonstrate dependability, strong communication, and the ability to adapt to changing patient needs while following an established plan of

Qualifications

• Completion of Nursing Assistant coursework required.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• At least two years of experience providing personal care.
• Active Certified Nursing Assistant certification.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Reliable transportation required.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care per the RN's plan of care.
• Assist with activities of daily living including bathing and grooming.
• Document vital signs and weights as directed.
• Assist with light housekeeping to keep a safe home environment.
• Support patients and families with comfort and dignity.
• Communicate patient changes to the RN and hospice leadership.
• Complete timely documentation of all care provided.

Skills

Compassionate care

Communication

Dependability

Time management

Observant

Education

Nursing Assistant coursework completed

High school diploma

Active CNA certification

Valid driver's license

Job description

Hospice Assistant - Hillcrest Home Care

Service Line: Hillcrest Home Care - Hospice - Iowa

Hillcrest Home Care is looking for a compassionate, dependable, and patient-focused Hospice Assistant to join our hospice care team.

Hillcrest Home Care provides personalized hospice services to patients wherever they call home, including private residences and senior living or care communities. Our hospice team focuses on comfort, dignity, quality of life, and supporting both the patient and their family throughout the end-of-life journey.

Our mission is simple: Inspiring people to live their best lives.

As a Hospice Assistant, you will serve as a primary personal caregiver for hospice patients, providing hands-on assistance with activities of daily living according to each patient's individualized plan of care. You will work closely with the RN and hospice team to help patients remain safe, comfortable, and supported.

What You’ll Do

As a Hospice Assistant, you will provide compassionate, hands-on personal care to hospice patients in their homes and residential settings while supporting their comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

You Will

• Provide personal care according to the individualized hospice plan of care developed by the RN.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and other personal-care needs.
• Provide nutritional support as outlined in the patient’s plan of care.
• Obtain and document vital signs and weights as directed.
• Assist with light housekeeping to help maintain a clean, safe, and comfortable environment.
• Provide non-sterile treatments within your scope of practice.
• Assist with medications that are ordinarily self-administered, as permitted within the established care plan and scope of practice.
• Observe patients closely for changes in condition, comfort, behavior, or needs.
• Promptly communicate patient changes or concerns to the RN and appropriate hospice leadership.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation of all care provided.
• Provide calm, respectful, and compassionate support to patients and their families.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, nurses, facility team members, and other members of the hospice care team.
• Communicate schedule changes, patient concerns, care needs, and questions related to the plan of care.
• Accurately document time spent on patient visits, travel, meetings, mileage, and other work-related activities.
• Order, pick up, and deliver patient supplies according to department procedures.
• Support continuity of care by following established hospice procedures and care plans.
• Participate in on-call and backup call responsibilities as needed to support hospice patients.
• Attend required meetings, in-services, and educational programs.
• Assist with additional hospice-care responsibilities as assigned.

The role combines personal care, patient observation, family support, documentation, communication, supply coordination, and close collaboration with the hospice care team.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who understands that hospice care requires more than strong caregiving skills. It requires patience, compassion, empathy, and the ability to provide a calm presence during a deeply personal time for patients and families.

The right candidate will be dependable, observant, and comfortable providing care to patients with changing physical and emotional needs. You should be someone who listens well, respects individual wishes, notices subtle changes, and understands the importance of dignity and comfort at the end of life.

Ideal Candidates Will Have

• Previous experience providing hands-on personal care.
• Previous hospice or home care experience preferred.
• A compassionate, patient, and respectful approach to end-of-life care.
• Comfort supporting patients and families during emotional or difficult situations.
• Strong communication skills with patients, families, nurses, and other care-team members.
• Ability to recognize and promptly report changes in a patient’s condition.
• Strong attention to detail with documentation and care-plan requirements.
• Ability to follow an RN-developed hospice plan of care.
• Ability to work independently in patient homes and facility settings.
• Dependability and consistent follow-through with scheduled visits.
• Strong organization and time-management skills.
• Comfort traveling between multiple patient locations.
• A team-focused approach and willingness to collaborate with the interdisciplinary hospice team.

Education & Credentials

• Completion of Nursing Assistant coursework required.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• At least two years of experience providing personal care services.
• At least one year of Home Care or Hospice experience preferred.
• Active Certified Nursing Assistant certification.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Current automobile insurance required.

Why Hillcrest Home Care Hospice?

Hospice care is about helping patients live with as much comfort, dignity, and quality of life as possible.

As a Hospice Assistant with Hillcrest Home Care, you will have the opportunity to provide meaningful one-on-one care to patients wherever they call home. You will become a familiar and trusted presence for both patients and families during a time when consistency, compassion, and dependable support matter tremendously.

Sometimes your impact will come through hand-on personal care. Other times, it may be noticing a change and communicating it quickly, helping a family feel supported, or simply taking the time to provide reassurance and comfort.

For a CNA who values relationship-based care and wants work with a deeper sense of purpose, hospice provides the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in every visit.

What Hillcrest Home Care Offers

• Competitive compensation.
• Supportive hospice leadership and an experienced interdisciplinary care team.
• Multiple health insurance plan options for eligible team members.
• Vision, dental, and life insurance.
• Professional development support, including continuing education, certifications, and career-growth opportunities.
• Dayforce Wallet, allowing you to choose when you get paid.
• Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.
• Meaningful one-on-one work with hospice patients and families.
• Opportunities to grow within Hillcrest Home Care.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Must be able to speak, read, and write English.
• Must be able to independently lift up to 35 pounds.
• Must be able to perform repetitive sitting, bending, standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and movement as needed.
• Must be flexible and calm when supporting patients and families during emotional or stressful situations.
• Must be comfortable providing hospice care in private homes and facility environments.
• Must be able to travel to multiple patient locations.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license and current automobile insurance within established requirements.
• Must be able to work independently while remaining connected to the hospice care team.
• Must be able to utilize technology and available resources efficiently and effectively.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.
• Other duties as assigned.