Hospice Aid

Position Summary: STNA Certification is required.

Provides personal care services and promotes comfort to terminally ill patients under the direction of the Case Manager or other registered nurse. The Hospice Aide is responsible for observing the patient, reporting these observations and documenting observations and care performed. The Hospice Aide will be assigned in a manner that promotes quality, continuity and safety of a patient’s care. The Hospice Aide represents HNCO by promoting and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, patients and the community, and serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team.

This position primarily performs their care services with patients in the Richland/Knox/Ashland Counties and may be asked from time to time to provide these services to surrounding counties as well.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Major Activity: Provides personal care services:

• Promptly attends to patient requests for personal care of assigned patients;
• Provides personal care including ambulation, feeding, bathing, oral hygiene, shampoos, dressing and undressing, toileting and assistance with activities of daily living as directed by the Case Manager, and designated on the care plan and visit record;
• Supports the care plan by carrying out and recording light housekeeping duties, such as changing bed linens, light laundry needs, keeping patient living area clean/orderly, assisting with planning nutritious meals, basic meal prep and errands;
• Takes and records oral, rectal and auxiliary temperatures, pulse, respiration and blood pressure when ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency;
• Provides proper care and observation of patient’s skin to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominence;
• Assists in ambulation, exercise and therapy as instructed by case manager or therapist;
• Provides normal range of motion and transfers/positioning as directed;
• Utilizes good basic infection control, handling of hazardous wastes, and safety measures in all instances. Uses equipment safely and properly (i.e. foot stools, side rails, Hoyer Lift, O2 etc…).
• Promotes patient comfort and demonstrates sensitivity to patients' emotional, social, mental health and spiritual needs;
• Provides respite for patient family/caregiver when on-site, as appropriate;
• Provides patient and family with positive communication techniques, within the realm of ethical and respectful care, including confidentiality;
• Provides emotional support and encouragement to patients and caregivers;
• Respectful of patient and family/caregiver environment and patient’s personal needs.
• Demonstrates tact, patience and good personal hygiene.

Major Activity: Reports and documents patient observations:

• Accurately documents all services provided and submits required documentation to the case manager;
• Observe symptoms, reports and document changes in patient status, needs and/or emergencies to the case manager via the hospice office or emergency contact system;
• Maintains awareness of interpersonal issues of the caregiver and other individuals living with the patient;
• Adheres to HNCO’s documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct;
• Works collaboratively with other hospice aides and team members providing input and assistance ensuring effective and efficient services to patients;
• Attends HNCO meetings, trainings, in-services and HNCO-sponsored events.

Scope of Position:

Reports directly to the Clinical Manager and works under the supervision of the assigned case manager

Requirements

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED), completion of state-approved nurse aide training program. Preference will be given to individuals with at least 12 months of patient care as a State Tested Nursing Assistant within the past 12 months; must be 18 years of age or older.

Certifications, Licensure and Registrations:

Current licensure as State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA); current CPR certification; valid Ohio driver’s license with current automobile insurance and reliable transportation accessible for travel while on HNCO business. Maintains certifications as required and pursues personal and professional development.

Other Requirements:

Completed a minimum of 75 hours of classroom and supervised practical training; successfully completed an introductory period to ensure competence in the qualifications outlined in the position description; must be documented by the supervisor and aide.

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.

Continuing education:

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

Knowledge:

understanding of hospice philosophy, HNCO mission, values and goals; policies and procedures; HIPPA regulations; arithmetic; basic elements of body functioning and proper procedures for lifting and moving patients; structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words; rules of composition and grammar to effectively and concisely record and/or verbally communicate observations.

Skills:

demonstrates competency in current STNA practices, principles, methods and procedures; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; written communication skills to document patient care; basic computer skills for data entry, email and internet; good organizational skills and self-directed

Ability:

develop and maintain external and internal organizational relationships through verbal, written and personal contact; communicate with patient’s, primary caregivers and volunteers appropriately; deal effectively with the demands of the job and the population serviced; read and comprehend instructions given orally and in writing; implement verbal and written action plans; assess data reflecting the patient’s status and interpret appropriate information; follow directions; prioritize work; apply arithmetic; measure using common household utensils and instruments typically used by unit assistants; maintain confidentiality of protected health information and general hospice information in accordance with applicable laws and HNCO policy; empathize with the needs of ill, injured, frail and the impaired; work independently and in a collaborative team environment; work without constant supervision; exhibit good judgment in decision making based on hospice guidelines; demonstrate HNCO core values and ethical behavior.

ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. This position requires contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances, and travel to patients’ homes and/or medical/ nursing facilities. The incumbent may be exposed to individuals with infectious and contagious diseases and must observe standardized guidelines to protect against disease and other dangers (i.e. accidental needle stick, chemicals for sterilization of instruments, and anesthetics). May be exposed to/occasionally exposed to patient elements, subject to varying and unpredictable situations, and be able to handle emergency or crisis situations. The employee will be required to move patients which may involve lifting, stretching, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling and/or crouching; prolonged or considerable walking or standing; must be able to lift position and/ or transfer patients, supplies and equipment. Visual acuity and hearing to perform duties.

OSHA Exposure Category:

Category I ? Position includes tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids and tissues.

Required Personal Protective Equipment:

yes

Hospice of North Central Ohio is a non-profit, community-oriented organization serving Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Morrow, Richland and Wayne counties. Our dedicated professionals are driven to make a difference in the lives of those we serve, and we are blessed to do so with our community's support. Hospice of North Central Ohio is an agency of the United Way of Ashland County, Shelby United Fund, New London United Fund, and Mohican Area Community Fund. To better serve the community, we are affiliated with We Honor Veterans, Midwest Care Alliance, and National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. We also work closely with local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Hospice of North Central Ohio is a charitable non-profit corporation as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.