JOB SUMMARY: The Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health 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 Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide is responsible for observing the patient, reporting these observations and documenting observations and care performed. The Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide will be assigned in a manner that promotes quality, continuity and safety of a patient's care.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Perform personal care needs after given a patient's assignment and attend to his/her requests promptly; if unable to perform a certain task, report to the Case Manager immediately
• Provide patient and family with positive communication techniques, within realm of ethical and respectful care, including confidentiality
• Meet safety needs of patient and use equipment safely and properly (foot stools, side rails, O2 etc.)
• Provide personal care including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos and changing bed linen as often as assigned
• Assist in dressing and undressing patients, as assigned
• Plan and prepare nutritious meals, including shopping, as assigned
• Assist in feeding the patient, as assigned
• Take and record oral, rectal and auxiliary temperatures, pulse, respiration and blood pressure when ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency
• Provide proper care and observation of patient's skin to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominence
• Assess and report on patient's condition and significant changes to the Case Manager; also, being aware of the caregiver or other individuals living with the patient and interpersonal issues
• Assist in ambulation and exercise as instructed by the hospice nurse or therapist
• Provide normal range of motion and transfers/positioning, as directed
• Assist with self-administered medications as allowed by state regulations, such as “reminders”
• Offer and assist with bedpan and urinal aid, as assigned
• Aid with light laundry needs if necessary
• Perform range of motion and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service, as ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency
• Provide respite for patient's family/caregiver when on-site, as appropriate
• Maintain patient's living area is clean and orderly, as assigned
• Adhere to the organization's documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct
• Participate in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities
• Respect patient and family/caregiver environment and patient's personal needs

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Certification of nursing assistant or HHA required per state regulations
• Must have completed a minimum of 75 hours of classroom and supervised practical training
• Must have completed sixteen (16) hours of classroom, must be completed prior to a mandatory sixteen (16) hours of practical training
• Must be at least 18 years of age

Preferred to have one (1) year experience as Aide in community health/hospice or medical/surgical experience

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must possess the ability to read and follow written instructions
• Must possess an understanding of hospice philosophy and comfortable providing specialized care to the terminally ill
• Must be able to work autonomously with little direct supervision
• Must successfully demonstrate tact, patience and good personal hygiene
• Must possess effective oral and written communications
• Must possess effective organizational skills
• Must be skilled at plan of care documentation

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be flexible in work hours to ensure the patients receive care as provided in the plan of care
• Must possess the ability to empathize with the needs of the ill, injured, frail and impaired
• Must possess the ability to address issues of death/dying
• Must provide a calm manner when in the patient’s home

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Must comply with company policies, procedures and processes in addition to Hospice and Homecare rules and regulations
• Must be dependable and flexible in work schedule
• Must comply with harassment and discrimination policies
• Must foster good working relationships
• Potential exposure to occupational hazards including, but not limited to, infectious/contagious diseases, heat, cold, noise, hazardous substances and uncontrolled home environments
• Must be a licensed driver with licensed automobile that is insured in accordance with organization/state requirements and is in good working order
• Must be willing to submit to a criminal background check prior to hire and annually thereafter
• Must possess and maintain current CPR certification
• Must comply with community home environment, rules and regulations

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

• Must demonstrate vital sensory abilities including near vision, far vision, perceptual speed, visual color discrimination, depth perception and hearing sensitivity
• Must have finger dexterity, arm-hand steadiness, and manual dexterity
• Must be able to manipulate equipment in a safe and effective way and use tools that require motor functioning, such as blood pressure monitors and hemostats
• Must be able to communicate with patients, families and other health care workers
• Speech clarity, speech recognition and written expression are vital abilities for performing the job
• Must be able to lift heavy items on a frequent basis
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. with or without assistance and must be able to spend a prolonged amount of time standing, walking, bending and stretching
• Must possess the ability to deal with stressful situations as well as grieving families
• Must be compassionate without becoming personally involved with the patients and their families
• Must be willing to participate in a drug/alcohol screen prior to hire, if involved in a work- related automobile accident or if reasonable suspicion is reported