Provides personal care and support services to patients in their homes. Works as a member of the hospice/home health team in providing care within the guidelines of the plan of care to best meet needs of patient. Reports directly to the RN case manager or PT/OT/ST*

*Home Health only

• Assists with and provides personal care to patients, with RN or PT/OT/ST supervision, as assigned, including bathing,
• skin care, oral hygiene, foot care, toileting/elimination, and clean dressing changes as directed by R.N or PT/OT/ST.
• Assists patients to carry out their prescribed therapeutic regimen under supervision of the case manager, including active/assistive range of motion and positioning, safe transfer techniques and ambulation, and active/assistive exercises.
• Provides household chore services essential to healthcare at home as assigned, including meal preparation, linen change, personal laundry of patient, and dishwashing.
• Observes and documents patients condition, i.e., weight, vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure) and care or service furnished. Understands elements of body function and changes in body function that must be reported to RN or PT/ST/OT and reports any changes in the patients condition or family situation immediately to case manager or supervisor in a timely manner as per hospice policies.
• Recognizes and handles emergency situations as directed until help arrives.
• Understands and applies basic infection control procedures. Maintains clean, safe, and healthy environment for patients.
• Documents timely and accurately in the clinical record according to hospice policies.
• Reinforces education provided by Case Manager to patients and caregivers.
• Provides emotional support and compassionate care to the patient and family unit demonstrating listening skills and offers encouragement when appropriate.
• Reviews the medical record to validate assignment and HCA orders.
• Participates in performance improvement activities. Assists with development and implementation of departments workplan. Performs clinical record audits.
• Prepares weekly schedule of patient visits for self and keeps Supervisor or Intake Coordinator appraised of schedule changes and openings for other added visits. Submits documentation as per policy and completes a daily visit log.
• Rotates weekends and holidays with other HCAs as assigned.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences. Attends continuing education and in-service training programs to keep current of patient care techniques/needs including a competency evaluation which must be performed by an RN in consultation with other skilled professionals as needed. Maintains educational record and provides evidence of education/training (minimum 12 hours during each 12-month period).
• Currently listed in good standing on the State Nurse Aide Registry if required.
• Maintains compliance with applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations, accreditation standards, and hospice policies.
• Follows all applicable laws, rules, and recommendation for safe driving while on duty.
• Other appropriate duties consistent with the individuals experience which, in the opinion of the physician and the Home Health Team, would improve the quality of patient care and Aide satisfaction.
• These duties may include assistance with administration of medications ordinarily self-administered that have been specifically ordered by the physician.
• Would be limited to those medications and patients specifically delegated by the registered nurse to the aide. The Home Health Aide will not apply any topical medications without a physicians order and specific delegation by the RN to the aide. The Home Health Aide may carry out a digital rectal examination for the purpose of removing fecal impactions with an order from MD/RN.
• Promotes, ensures, and improves customer service to internal/external customers by demonstrating skills which are consistent with the organizations philosophy of providing extraordinary customer relations and quality service.