Hospice Aide (PRN) - Inpatient Unit

Description

General Summary of Duties: Primary function is to provide personal healthcare and related services to the patient in the hospice inpatient unit setting. To assist in providing a safe and clean environment, work cooperatively with patient and family and share observations and problems with the supervisor. Works under the direction and supervision of a licensed nurse.

Principle Duties:

• Assists the patient with all aspects of personal care, ambulating, positioning, and transferring.
• Provide essential personal care assistance to patients consistent with policies and procedures of HOP.
• Providing patient and family with positive communication techniques, within realm of ethical a respectful care, including confidentiality.
• Completes such other activities as taught by qualified health professionals of Hospice for a specific patient, i.e., assisting with change of colostomy bag, shampoo, reinforcement of dressing, assisting with the range of motion exercises as taught by a qualified professional Hospice employee
•  The Hospice Aide shall observe the patient for significant changes in appearance or behavior and report this to the nurse
•  Documents care and observations in patient record
•  Attend and participate in interdisciplinary team meeting as requested
•  Provide emotional support and compassionate care to patients and families
•  Assists with setting up meal trays and feeding patients.
•  Assists with necessary housekeeping to provide quality environment for patients at all times
•  Assists IPU Clinical Leader in maintaining health, fire, and safety measurement according to policy and procedures
•  Assures utilization of universal precaution for infection control at all times
•  Demonstrates a positive attitude and working relationship with the team members and other staff
•  Ensures strict adherence to rules of confidentiality
•  Attend 12 hours of in-service training per year
•  Answer phones when needed
•  Assist Unit TC with patient chart preparation and breaking down.
•  Adhere to work schedule and maintain good punctuality and attendance record
•  Completes other assignments and tasks as requested

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• Certification as Certified Nursing Assistant
• Hospice experience preferred
•  Knowledge of skills relevant to grief and loss helpful
•  Emotionally mature and caring individual willing to give support and assistance to terminally ill and their families
•  Must be able to work independently and have a flexible schedule
•  Must demonstrate basic computer skills.

Skills/Certificate/License:  

•  Basic to Intermediate proficiency in word processing software helpful
•  Certification as Certified Nursing Assistant

Abilities: 

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions and short correspondence
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to clients and other employees of the organization
•  Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instruction furnished in written, oral or diagram form
•  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situation
•  Ability to write reports, correctly reflect treatment and document client progress
•  Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships 
•  Must be flexible and able to function in stressful situations
•  Incumbent should have the ability to manage multiple tasks 
•  Exceptional customer service skills 
•  Ability to effectively communicate and work with family members, staff and management
•  Ability to work with and maintain confidentiality of patient data

Supervision Exercised: 

• There are no positions reporting to him/her

Typical Work Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. 

• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• The employee frequently is required to walk, stand, and sit. 
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and push up to 200 pounds in a wheelchair.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Incumbent must be able to communicate by way of telephone. 

Typical W