Hospice CNA

About the Role

The hospice aide works under the supervision of a registered nurse and performs various tasks as assigned in accordance with the patient’s plan of care to meet the patient's personal needs and promote comfort. The hospice aide is responsible for reporting and documenting observations and care performed, ensuring quality, continuity, and safety of a patient's care.

Responsibilities

• Perform personal care needs after given a patient's assignment and attend to requests promptly. Report any inability to perform a task to the Case Manager immediately.
• Provide patient and family with positive communication techniques, ensuring ethical and respectful care, including confidentiality.
• Meet safety needs of the patient and use equipment safely and properly (e.g., foot stools, side rails, oxygen).
• Provide personal care including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos, and changing bed linen as assigned.
• Assist in dressing and undressing patients as assigned.
• Assist in feeding the patient as assigned. Note: Hospice Aides may not provide patients with homemade food items or baked goods they themselves prepared.
• Provide proper care and observation of the patient's skin to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominences.
• Report any complaint of pain, other symptoms, or changes in the patient's condition to the RN Case Manager. Be aware of the caregiver or other individuals living with the patient and interpersonal issues.
• Assist in ambulation and exercise as instructed by the hospice nurse or therapist. Provide normal range of motion and transfers/positioning as directed.
• Assist with self-administered medications as allowed by state regulations, such as "reminders."
• Offer and assist with bedpans and urinals.
• Provide assistance as assigned with light laundry needs, emptying waste baskets, and other light homemaker tasks.
• Perform range of motion and other simple procedures as ordered, with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency.
• Provide respite for the patient's family/caregiver when on-site, as appropriate.
• Keep the patient's living area clean and orderly, as assigned.
• Adhere to the organization's documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct.
• Participate in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
• Respect the patient and family/caregiver environment and the patient's personal needs.
• As a mandatory reporter, report failure to comply with the requirements of chapters 246-335 WAC and 70.127 RCW to the Washington Dept. of Health within 14 calendar days using Dept. of Health forms.
• Report suspected abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of a person in violation of RCW 74.34.020 or 26.44.030 to the department of social and health services and the proper law enforcement agency immediately when there is reasonable cause to believe such incidents have occurred.

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

Qualifications

• Completion of a state-approved certified nursing assistant course or equivalent training.
• Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) in the state of Florida.
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification (may not be internet-based unless the demonstration of skills was hands-on and observed by a certified trainer).
• Current Food Handlers Permit.
• High school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED).
• Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care given.
• Understands hospice philosophy and is comfortable providing specialized care to the terminally ill.
• Prior experience in hospice, orderly, acute, rehabilitative, or long-term care facility. 1 year of previous home health/hospice experience preferred.
• Basic computer skills to document in electronic medical records (EMR).
• At least 18 years of age.
• Licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with organization requirements and is in good working order.