Under the supervision of Hospice nurses, the Hospice aide provides direct patient care and services as established in the patient's Plan of Care. The Hospice Aide must be compassionate, mature and able to handle the needs of a Hospice patient and their family. This employee must also have access to a dependable vehicle and be willing to travel to see patients.

• Under the direction and ongoing supervision of a registered nurse, provides personal direct patient care services as established and delegated in the Plan of Care on a daily basis.
• Reports after patient encounter to the Executive Director, or designee, regarding the patient's condition or environment, following the Care Management process on as needed basis.
• Provides assistance with the following ADLs during each patient visit: mobility, transfers, walking, grooming, bathing, dressing or undressing, eating or toileting.
• Performs incidental household services essential to the patient's health care at home conducting household services that are necessary to prevent or postpone institutionalization on as needed basis.
• Completes a clinical note for each visit which must be incorporated into the patient's record at least on a weekly basis.
• Participates in the in-service program per online educational forum, completing at least six hours of in-services every six months. Must have a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training annually.
• Maintains strict patient confidentiality on a regular basis.
• Participates in QAPI plan or process identifying any problems and reporting administrator on a daily or as needed basis.
• Provides emotional support & compassionate care to the patient & family on regular basis.
• Functions as a preceptor to new hires as needed.

License Requirements

• Successful completion of a competency evaluation prior to patient care.
• Current CPR certification requirements.
• Current driver's license, vehicle insurance, and access to a dependable vehicle or public transportation.

Additional State Specific Requirements

• AL: Certification preferred.
• AR: Required to meet at least one of the following: 1) at least one year of experience in an institutional setting (home health agency, hospital, hospice, or long-term facility) verified by a previous employer. 2) Certificate issued by the state of Arkansas for working in long term care facilities-copy must be available for review. OR 3) Completion of 40 hour aide training course meeting requirements of AR regulations. In lieu of training course, a nursing student may qualify as a hospice aide by submitting documentation from the Director of Programs and|or the Dean of a School of Nursing that reflects the nursing student has demonstrated competency in providing basic nursing care in accordance with the school's curriculum.
• CA: Successful completion of a state approved training program.
• CO: Must be certified by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
• GA: Required to meet at least one of the following: Georgia certified nursing aide with current certification, or Individuals who have completed and can provide validation or documentation of completion of a home health aide training and competency evaluation program conducted in a Medicare-certified home health agency. The program must be conducted through classroom and supervised practical training totaling at least 75 hours.
• ID: Certification preferred.
• IL: Must be licensed, registered or certified as a Home Health Aide; or approved on the Department's Health Care Worker Registry; or completion of training program approved under Long Term Care Assistants and Aides Training Programs Code; or equivalency established by 1 of the following: evidence of current registration from another state, evidence of completion of a nursing arts course, successful completion of US military training program, or successful completion of a nursing program in a foreign country.
• IN: Must be in good standing on the state aide registry.
• MO: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preferred. If not a CNA must complete the Missouri Written Aide Competency Exam and Basic Skills Test.
• MS: Certification Preferred.
• NC: Must be listed on the Nurse Aide Registry at the Division of Health Service Regulation.
• NJ: certification required by New Jersey Board of Nursing.
• NV: Certification required by Nevada Board of Nursing.
• OH: Successful completion of a training and competency evaluation program approved by the state and currently listed in good standing on the state nurse aide registry.
• OK: Must be certified by the Oklahoma State Department of Health as a Long Term Care Aide, Home Health Aide, or Developmentally Disabled Direct Care Aide.
• OR: Must be certified as a nursing assistant with training in hospice.
• TN: A person who has completed a total of seventy-five (75) hours of training which included sixteen (16) hours of clinical training prior to or during the first three (3) months of employment and who is qualified to provide basic services, including simple procedures as an extension of therapy services, personal care regarding nutritional needs, ambulation and exercise, and household services essential to care at home.
• TX: May not be listed on the Employee Misconduct Registry, have been revoked from the Nurse Aide Registry, or had a criminal conviction listed in Health and Safety Code Chapter 250.
• WA: Must be registered or certified by the Washington Department of Health.
• AZ, FL, KS, LA, MI, MN, PA, SC, VA, WV: No additional requirements.

Skill Requirements

• Mature and able to deal effectively with the demands of a hospice aide position.
• Must be able to read, write, and carry out directions promptly and accurately.