Certified Hospice Aide- Carmel, Indiana

JOB SUMMARY:

The hospice aide is a paraprofessional member of the interdisciplinary group who works under the supervision of a registered nurse and performs various services for a patient as necessary to meet the patient's personal needs and to promote comfort.  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.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

1. Performing personal care needs after given a patient's assignment and attending to his/her requests promptly.  If unable to perform a certain task, report to the Case Manager immediately.
2. Provide patient and family with positive communication techniques, within realm of ethical and respectful care, including confidentiality.
3. Meet safety needs of patient and use equipment safely and properly (foot stools, side rails, O2 etc.)
4. Give personal care including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos and changing bed linen, as often as assigned.
5. Assist in dressing and undressing patients as assigned.
6. Assist in feeding the patient as assigned.
7. Take and record oral, rectal and auxiliary temperatures, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure when ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency.
8. Provide proper care and observation of patient's skin to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominence.
9. on patient's condition and significant changes to the Case Manager.  Also aware of the caregiver or other individuals living with the patient and interpersonal issues.
10. Assisting in ambulation and exercise as instructed by the hospice nurse or therapist.
11. Provide normal range of motion and transfers/positioning as directed.
12. Assistance with self-administered medications as allowed by state regulations, such as "reminders."
13. Offer and assist with bedpans and urinals.  Provide assistance as assigned with light laundry needs.
14. Perform range of motion and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service as ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency.
15. Provide respite for patient's/family/caregiver when on-site, as appropriate.
16. Keep patient's living area clean and orderly, as assigned.
17. Adhere to the organization's documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct.
18. Participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
19. Perform additional job duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Maintain an active hospice aide certification with state performing job duties. At least 1-3 years of experience in hospice, or palliative care and/or training in end-of-life care, preferred. Knowledge hospice care and the services provided to patient and family/caregiver through an interdisciplinary group. Proficient in MS Office applications preferred and ability to learn department and job-specific software systems. Demonstrate organizational skills. Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills. Demonstrate analytical skills when problem-solving. Demonstrate high attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Communication: Demonstrate knowledge to reply and receive information to and from others.
• Customer Service: Works with customers to assess their needs in an effort to meet/exceed requirements and expectations
• Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrates knowledge on how to manage oneself and how to interact successfully with others.
• Time Management: Demonstrate ability to manage your time productively and efficiently.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

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.