Certified Home Health Aide

Working title: Certified Home Health Aide                     Position #(s):

Classification title: Home Health Aides (31-1121)

Division: Hospice and Home Care                                 

Program: Hospice Community

Reports to: Hospice Lead RN  

Reports to: Hospice Lead RN 

FLSA status: PRN

Wage Range: $

RiverStone Health:

Serving the Yellowstone County community and south-central Montana for nearly 50 years, RiverStone Health is an essential provider of personal and public health services. Health, Education, Leadership and Protection – HELP is what we do.  From medical, dental and behavioral healthcare; home care and hospice; public health services like immunizations, WIC, health promotion and restaurant inspections; and educating the next generation of health professionals, our expertise spans all ages and stages of life.  Underlying principles of access, affordability, compassion, and quality in all interactions, RiverStone Health improves life, health and safety for all of the communities we serve.

Hospice Overview:

The RiverStone Health Hospice Services care for terminally ill patients who want to receive comfort-oriented care rather than continue to seek a cure. Hospice care emphasizes quality of life. Care and grief support services are provided wherever home is. Most hospice patients receive care in their home, or the home of a relative or friend.  Hospice care can also be provided in nursing homes or other facilities.  Working together with patient and family, our team of hospice professionals and volunteers help relieve physical symptoms and decrease psychological, social, emotional, or spiritual distress of patients and their caregivers. Our 24 hour on-call nursing services are available to meet urgent needs.

Job Summary:

The Certified Home Health Aide provides personal care, support, and training to hospice patient, family and caregivers.  Hospice patients can include those with cancer, chronic illnesses, accidents, disabilities or cognitive impairments at end of life. The principal duties are performed in various residential properties, facilities and in a hospice home setting.  Primary duties include meal preparation, bathing, dressing and maintaining hygiene for patients, light housekeeping, and patient observations, communicating patient changes to the appropriate staff, and working with and relieving the patient’s primary caregiver. 

 Essential Functions/Major Duties and Responsibilities:

 Certified Home Health Aide Services                                                                             95%

• Perform personal grooming care of patients, including bathing, hair care, manicure, pedicure, and oral care.
• Perform light housekeeping tasks, including changing bed linens, laundry, washing dishes, and light meal preparation.
• Perform minor health care procedures as assigned, including bed bathing, applying lotion, turning and positioning patients.
• Assist in the administering of medications that are ordinarily self-administered when assigned.
• Support patients with range of motion, ambulation and exercise as directed by nursing or therapy personal as per the plan of care.
• Communicate with and support caregiver regarding the patient’s condition and relieve caregiver if required.
• Record observations of the patient’s condition and needs and report any changes in patient’s medical, nursing, rehabilitative, or social changes and family situation to appropriate team member and supervisor.
• Document care provided or refused by the patient in the electronic medical records system in a timely manner. Must document/chart observations, activities and other data, related to the personal care of the patient. 
• Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and review publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Keep immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems, and contribute to the provision of quality process through suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Maintain universal precautions guidelines and safety measures according to RiverStone Health policies and procedures.

Non-Essential Functions/Other duties as assigned                            ≥5%

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of RiverStone Health’s mission and goals.

Education and Experience:

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• CNA licensure
• Some experience in patient care
• Any combination of experience and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with underserved population
• Medical terminology training or experience
• Experience working in a customer service environment

Required Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Current certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (required) and Home Health Aide in the State of Montana (preferred), in good standing
• Valid State of Montana driver’s license
• Current vehicle insurance
• Vehicle in good working condition

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to display non-judgmental and empathetic listening skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain a positive work environment. 
• Ability to perform job duties with integrity and innovation to ensure completion and a high level of quality. 
• Maintain knowledge in end-of-life care and measures for Hospice care.
• Able to prepare meals for larger numbers per food safety guidelines when working at hospice facility.
• Substantial knowledge of first aid and the ability to administer simple medical treatments.
• Substantial knowledge of body mechanics and physical manipulation, repositioning, and transfer of the patient.
• Excellent communication skills to ensure efficiencies and quality customer service, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to patients of all age groups. 
• Knowledge and understanding of protected sensitive patient health information (HIPAA) and confidentiality.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Ability to help cover needs in all hospice and home care programs.

Customer Service Excellence:

• Doing things right the first time
• Making people feel welcome
• Showing respect for each customer
• Anticipating customer needs and concerns
• Keeping customers informed
• Helping and going the extra mile
• Responding quickly
• Protecting privacy and confidentiality
• Demonstrating proper telephone etiquette
• Taking responsibility for handling complaints
• Being professional
• Taking ownership of your attitude toward Service Excellence.

Supervision:

• None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Required to stand, walk and sit; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls; reach with hands and arms.
• Regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch and lift up to 25 pounds frequently and 50 pounds occasionally; expected to ask for help from a colleague or utilize a lift when assistance is needed.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Expected to drive a vehicle which requires sitting, seeing and reading signs, traffic signals, other vehicles, etc. Travel occurs in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
• Risk of needlestick injury is possible. 
• Position is regularly exposed to biological pathogens and contagious diseases where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and special precautions must be taken due to reduce exposure and mitigate risk.
• Create and maintain a safe/secure working environment by adhering to safety, security, and health requirements. Integrate injury, illness, and loss prevention into job activities by attending any necessary training and implementing best practices.

Freedom to Act & Decision Making:

• Work is structured by hospice regulations and established medical practices.
• Decisions directly affect the quality of services provided to the public.
• Use independent judgment.

Communications & Networking:

• Daily verbal communication with patients, clients and RiverStone Health staff.
• Work directly with other team members to provide quality customer service for patients and customers.

Budget & Resource Management:

N/A