Certified Home Health Aide/HHA

VITAS Healthcare

The Certified Home Health Aide is a non-exempt team member who provides personal care and supportive services to hospice patients in their homes. This role enhances the care provided by family members and caregivers and works under the supervision of a VITAS nurse as part of the interdisciplinary team.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care (As Assigned in the Plan of Care)

• Assist patients with personal hygiene and grooming

• Support mobility and safe ambulation

• Prepare meals and assist with feeding as needed

• Take and record vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration)

• Measure and document intake and output

• Reinforce dressings (non-sterile)

• Assist with range-of-motion exercises as prescribed

• Support use of medical equipment such as walkers or wheelchairs

• Assist with self-administered medications (no administration)

• Provide support with colostomy bag changes (non-irrigation)

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, clean, and healthy home environment

• Promote mental engagement through activities of interest

• Provide emotional support to patients and families

• Observe, report, and document changes in patient condition

• Communicate updates to the supervising nurse and care team

• Teach basic personal care skills to primary caregivers

• Practice infection control procedures

• Complete a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training annually

• Perform other duties as assigned

This role does not include:

• Working in institutional settings

• Administering medications

• Changing sterile dressings

• Irrigating wounds, colostomies, or body cavities

• Performing catheterization, gastric procedures, or suctioning

• Applying heat treatments

• Providing tracheotomy care

• Performing any task not included in the plan of care or assigned by the supervising nurse

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred

• Meets federal Home Health Aide requirements under 42 C.F.R. §484

• Minimum 75 hours of approved training

• Successful completion of a competency evaluation program

• State-required certification as applicable

State Certification Requirements

• AL, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, MI, PA, TX, VA, WI: CNA, HHA, or HA

• CA: CHHA

• CT, NJ: Homemaker–Home Health Aide

• IL: HHA or NA

• KS, MO, OH: Home Health Aide Certificate

Special Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and follow written and verbal instructions

• Reliable transportation and ability to travel as required

• Telephone access at home

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

This position requires the ability to:

• Lift and transfer patients

• Lift objects over 20 pounds

• Stand and walk for extended periods

• Sit, stoop, kneel, and crouch

• Communicate effectively (hear and speak clearly)

• Maintain close and distance vision, including focus adjustment

Reporting Structure

Reports directly to a VITAS Nurse and receives ongoing clinical supervision and direction.