Certified Nurse Aide - Hospice Home Care

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position is responsible for providing basic patient nursing care and select services to patients within their home setting. This position is responsible for providing for the patient’s needs and comfort.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB: (other duties may be assigned)

1. Perform basic patient care activities as directed and supervised by the Registered Nurse.

• Bathe patient as assigned.
• Assist with oral hygiene, hair, foot, nail and perineal care.
• Ambulate, position, and transfer patients as necessary.
• Perform active/passive ROM exercises and weigh patients as necessary.

2. Perform procedures/treatments as directed and supervised by a Registered Nurse.

• Administer fleet or SS enemas as necessary.
• Perform simple wound/decubitus care.
• Perform ostomy care with daily cleanings, seal changes and stoma assessment.
• Perform catheter care.
• May perform other simple therapies as directed.
• Deliver and maintain supplies to patients as needed.

3. Reinforce physical/occupational therapy care plans as directed.

• Follow outlined care plan of therapy for repetitions and duration.
• Document all activities per policy for each visit.

4. Promote a clean, orderly and safe work environment.

• Remove and properly dispose of soiled linens, make an occupied and unoccupied beds.
• Clean and maintain patient’s bed area as assigned.
• Report any safety hazards immediately.
• Wash and dry linens and dishes as assigned.

5. Assist with home making tasks.

• Perform shopping tasks for patients within allotted time frame.
• Assist with laundry tasks within the patient’s home or at the Laundromat.
• Perform light cleaning, sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, general clean up.
• Assist with small sewing tasks.

6. Assist with the patient’s nutritional needs.

• Prepare nutritional diets within dietary guidelines.
• Feed patients assigned and reinforce eating habits.

7. Effectively communicate patient condition and information related to patient care activity.

• Document all care and therapy provided to patients accurately and legibly after completion of care.
• Document patient response to any therapy.
• Communicate changes in the patient’s condition to supervisor.

8. Provide post-mortum care.

• Bathe patients as needed.
• Provide support to the patients significant others.

9. Make appropriate referrals to supervisors regarding community resources.

• Keep current on requirements of community resources such as Area Agency on Aging, Association of Blind, Tableland, Ostomy and Cancer Society, etc.

OTHER DUTIES OF JOB (not all inclusive):

• Cross-train with Hospice Aide or Home Health Agency Aide.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or required.
• Follow standard precaution guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Supervision is received by the Director of Hospice.

SUPERVISION ADMINISTERED:

This position typically does not require the supervision of staff.

MENTAL/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF JOB:

This position typically requires:

The ability to manage multiple projects/tasks, provide close attention to detail, adapt to a constantly changing work environment, perform much travel, meet frequent deadlines, establish own goals, work closely with others, maintain much record-keeping/routine paperwork and utilize creativity. The ability to constantly use both hands, use rapid mental/muscular coordination simultaneously, communicate orally, hear conversation, use specific visual requirements, use depth perception, use color vision and operate a motor vehicle is also required. The ability to frequently stand, walk, sit, lift between ten and 150 pounds, stoop and kneel is also required. The ability to occasionally carry approximately 150 pounds, push/pull approximately 150 pounds, climb stairs, balance, repeatedly bend, reach, use repetitive finger movement, and withstand repetitive twisting or pressure involving wrists or hands is also typically required. This position would be classified as very heavy work level according to OSHA guidelines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position typically requires:

Constant exposure to temperature changes, working alone, contact with patients and exposure to blood and bodily fluids; frequent work outside and inside, wetness, dry atmospheric conditions, vibration, work with moving vehicles and working with hands in water; occasional exposure to dust, work with machinery with moving parts.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

This position typically requires:

Masks, particulate respirator, goggles, gloves, and body protection.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education/Training/License/Certification:

High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED).

Completion of a Nurse Aide training course.

Valid Pennsylvania Nurse Aide certification is required. For those hired prior to June 30, 2002 certification is preferred; not required.

Current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation certification required.

Must become certified in Palliative Care within 2 years of hire

Valid Pennsylvania drivers’ license required.

• Work Experience:

One to three months related experience and/or training preferred.

• Driving Record:

If deemed a driver in your position, a valid Driver’s license and proof of insurance are required. Motor Vehicle Record checks will be performed upon hire, in addition to annually thereafter.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports.
• Ability to speak effectively with patients and employees of the organization.
• Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s.
• Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume and distance.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills as well as interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal home health laws.
• Knowledge of body mechanics.
• Knowledge of state nursing guidelines and health standards.
• This position is responsible for providing nursing care in an ambulatory setting and teaching patients the skills necessary to care for themselves at home. This position must be able to meet patient needs effectively and efficiently in medical and surgical areas of nursing and provides direction to other staff members regarding patient care.