QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

1. High school graduate or equivalent, with one-year previous experience as a home health aide.
2. Maintains license as a Certified Nurse's Aide from the State of Michigan.
3. Maintains current BLS certification.
4. Completes the Home Health Care Aide Skills Assessment Test and Skills Demonstration with a passing score of 80 percent or better.
5. Experience with issues concerning the terminally ill, and death/dying, and pain and symptom management.
6. Presents a negative TB skin test and/or chest X-ray and other tests as required by Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.
7. Maintains a valid Michigan driver’s license and has the availability of a reliable, licensed and insured vehicle for use on the job, vehicle must be insured in accordance with the State of Michigan.
8. Remains up-to-date on all routine immunizations required by LARA and agency policy.

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Hospice Aide is a paraprofessional member of the Interdisciplinary Team who works under the supervision of a RN and performs various services for a patient as necessary to meet the patient’s personal needs promote comfort and to enable the patient to remain in the home by supplementing the patient 's/family's/caregiver's abilities for home management.  The Hospice Aide is responsible for observing the patient, reporting, and documenting these observations and care performed.

The Hospice Aide will be assigned in a manner that promotes quality, continuity, and safety of a patient's care.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Responsibilities of the Hospice Aide, but not limited to, the following:

1. Performs personal care needs after given a patient's assignment and attending to their requests promptly.  If unable to perform a certain task, report to the Hospice Nurse or designee immediately.
2. Meets safety needs of patient and using equipment safely and properly (footstools, side rails, O₂, etc.)
3. Provides or assists patients in all aspects of personal care, including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos, changing bed linen as part of the Plan of Care.
4. Assists in dressing and undressing and feeding the patient as assigned.
5. Plans and prepares nutritious meals and other household tasks, which are part of the Plan of Care.
6. Takes and records oral and axillary temperatures, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure when ordered (within the training limitations of the aide).
7. Provides proper care and observation of patient 's skin to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominence.
8. Reports on patient's condition and significant changes to the appropriate Interdisciplinary Team member.  Also aware of the caregiver or other individuals living with the patient and interpersonal issues.
9. Assists in ambulation and exercise as instructed by the Hospice Nurse or Therapist.
10. Offers and assists with bedpans and urinals. 
11. Provides assistance as assigned with light laundry needs.
12. Performs range of motion and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service as ordered (within the training limitations of the Aide).
13. Provides respite for patients/families/caregivers when on-site, as appropriate.
14. Keeps patient 's living area clean and orderly, as assigned.
15. Respects of patient /family/caregiver environment and patient’s personal needs.
16. Stays informed about changes in the field of Hospice care; shares information with appropriate Hospice personnel and administrative personnel.
17. Promotes Hospice referrals in the community; maintains a good standing in the community.

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 the attending physician or designee's orders, or perform procedures requiring the training, knowledge and skill of a licensed nurse, specifically sterile techniques.

Global Duties

1. Actively participates in organization-wide performance improvement activities.
2. Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ standards of personal and professional conduct.
3. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the Hospice philosophy of care, agency mission, and vision.
4. Ensures that all necessary information is shared with appropriate personnel.
5. Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ Workplace Safety Program.
6. Understands and complies with Hospice Medicare and Medicaid conditions of participation.
7. Complies with applicable local, federal and state regulations, Quality Partners standards, compliance guidelines, privacy protections and protected health information.

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.

TYPES OF EQUIPMENT USED

Microcomputer, a wide variety of medical/clinical equipment, tools, and supplies, and household supplies.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS

1. Good oral and written communication skills.
2. Good organizational skills.
3. Good internal and external organizational sensitivity.
4. Ability to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values.
5. Strong clinical skills with emphasis on knowledge of patient’s personal needs.
6. Must complete at least 12 hours of inservice education annually to maintain certification as a Nurse’s Aide.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. General office, multi-office sites, and floors.
2. In and out of automobile.
3. Community and home environment, including adult foster care homes, assisted living, nursing homes, or other residence of the patient.
4. Exposure to infectious disease.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

A typical eight (8) hour workday includes intermittent sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, twisting, and occasionally carrying 0 - 50 pounds (1 to 33% of time), pushing, pulling, and repetitive hand motions associated with writing and computer keyboard typing.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Centrica personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor.  In addition, Centrica personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities.  All personnel must attend mandatory educational programs.