Hospice Aide
JOB SUMMARY:
The Hospice Aide provides direct patient care to the terminally ill hospice patient by providing personal healthcare and related services to the patient in their place of residence. The Hospice Aide provides care as detailed in the plan of care, under the direction of the Registered Nurse Case Manager (RNCM). The Hospice Aide assists in providing a safe and clean environment, works cooperatively with the patient and family, and shares observations and problems with his/her supervisor.
Organization Relationship:
The Hospice Aide reports directly to the Director of Patient Care Services (DPCS).
The Hospice Aide works under the supervision of the RNCM.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or GED.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Not have been convicted of a crime under the laws of this State or another jurisdiction, the penalty for which is imprisonment for a period of more than one year and which is rationally related to the person’s fitness or capacity to act as a home health aide.
- Be able to speak and understand the English language or the language of the hospice patient and the hospice staff member who acts as the home health aide’s supervisor.
- Meet one of the following qualifications and provide proof of meeting the qualifications to the hospice:
- Has successfully completed a 75-hour home health aide training course which meets the standards described in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6608.01.
- Is a graduate of a practical or professional school of nursing.
- Has been employed by a licensed hospice or a home health agency as a home health aide II prior to September 6, 1991.
- Has successfully completed a course in a practical or professional school of nursing which included practical clinical experience in fundamental nursing skills and has completed a competency evaluation as described in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6608.02.
- Has successfully completed a 75-hour basic course of training approved by the Department for nursing assistants as required by Nev. Rev. Stat. § 71-6039 and has completed a competency evaluation as described in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6608.02.
- Has been employed by a licensed home health agency as a home health aide I prior to September 6, 1991 and has completed a competency evaluation as described in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6608.02; or
- Has met the qualifications equal to one of those contained in 175 NAC 16-006.09B5f, item 5 in another state or territory of the United States; and
- Has been listed on the Medication Aide Registry operated by the Department, if identified as a medication aide.
- Experience of (1) year as a Hospice Aide or Nursing Assistant in a hospital, nursing home, home health agency, or long-term care facility, preferred.
- Experience with active patient contact within the last two (2 years), preferred.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Provide patients with individualized patient care as directed in the plan of care created by the RNCM, including but not limited to the following:
- Shower, tub bath, or bed bath
- Shaving
- Dressing
- Washing hair
- Combing hair
- Oral care or denture care
- Assisting with toileting or incontinence care
- Care and cleaning of Foley catheters
- Nail care
- Back rub/massage
- Turning and repositioning bed bound patients
- Transferring patients from bed to chair or chair to bed
- Assistance with ambulating (walking)
- Providing range of motion exercises
- Changing bed sheets
- Light housekeeping
- Meal preparation
- Feeding assist
- Take temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry, as directed by RNCM.
- Report any changes in patient condition to the RNCM immediately.
- Provide care to patients 1-3 days per week per patient request and needs.
- Observe skin integrity, report changes in condition or new/changed wounds to RNCM immediately.
- Educate family members and other caregivers about patient care so families will feel comfortable providing day-to-day care between hospice aide visits.
- Demonstrate listening skills, offer encouragement, and practice patience in all interactions.
- Maintain regular communication with the DPCS to review caseload.
- Share in on-call rotation, providing 24-hour/7-day-a-week coverage to patients/families as necessary.
- Cover on call support when needed, in the event of another staff members absence.
- Report to the DPCS any unsafe working conditions, incident reports, and injuries to self or patients immediately.
- Communicate to the DPCS any situation where unable to meet a patient’s needs.
- Independently organize personal schedule using time management and acuity of patient’s needs.
- Assist with training, teaching or orientation, as requested.
- Assist other hospice aides, including assuming primary responsibility for patients when necessary.
- Provide direct patient care while offering support to the patient, family, and caregivers.
- Provide care in all home settings including but not limited to skilled nursing facility, assisted living, independent living, etc.
- Manage average caseload of 12-15 patients, which are assigned based on acuity and location.
- Assist RNCM with post-mortem cares when requested.
- Ensure patient’s needs are met with adequate supplies provided by Peaceful Hearts Hospice, LLC.
- Perform specific assignments as directed by RNCM, DPCS, and Administrator.
- Must complete annual written exam and supervised competency on site by an RN. If failed or concerns arise, an individualized plan of correction, training and re-test within 1 week will be performed and aide will not perform patient care without supervision until passing.
- Aides will be provided with 12 hours of in-service programs per year on relevant hospice care.
Company-Wide Responsibilities and Skills/Expectations:
- Ensure the mission, vision, and philosophy of Peaceful Hearts Hospice, LLC is upheld at all times.
- Abide by existing Peaceful Hearts Hospice, LLC policies and procedures.
- Understand each disciplines job function and always maintain an interdisciplinary team approach.
- Role model for all colleagues by setting an example of high standards in dress, conduct, cooperation, and job performance.
- Immediately report any work-related employee/patient/facility complaint/conflict to department head.
- Immediately report any accident, incident, lost articles or unusual occurrence to department head.
- Represent the organization to other groups, organizations and the general public.
- Assist to ensure accuracy of public information materials.
- Inform the Owners of current organizational, community, and industry trends.
- Assist in establishing and maintaining effective channels of communication, including integration of technology, as applicable.
- Observe confidentiality and safeguard all patient and employee related information in compliance with HIPPA regulations.
- Participate in agency Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program as appropriate.
- Establish and maintain an effective working relationship and communication with all segments of the staff, patient/family/caregivers, contractors, physicians, the professional public, the Owners, and governing body.
- Maintain and encourage open communication with employees without allowing personal biases and/or belief to interfere with the relationship.
- Maintain professional licensure at all times. Report any disruption in professional licensure immediately to department head.
- Maintain CEU and on-going education.
- Comply with infection control policies and protocols.
- Promote hospice referrals within the community.
- Participate in agency and community programs as requested to promote professional growth and educate the community on the meaning and benefits of hospice care.
- Knowledgeable of hospice diagnoses and qualifications of hospice care.
- Understand the philosophy of the hospice concept and needs of the terminally ill.
- Educate patient and families on end-of-life disease processes and symptoms to expect/report.
- Participate in group memorial services for staff, the bereaved, and the community.
- Able to work in a highly stressful atmosphere.
- Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
- Available at all times during business hours; unless time off is pre-approved by department head and a replacement is identified.
- Able to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and beliefs.
- Allow all staff and individuals to hold their own beliefs and do not place personal beliefs on another person. Encourage independence and autonomy.
- Able to work independently, make judgements based on assessment and data available and act accordingly.
- Must be flexible, innovative, intuitive, creative, and accept responsibility and possess excellent interpersonal skills.
- Must be able to cope with mental, emotional, and physical stress and demonstrate emotional stability.
- All charting, including all communications, must be completed within 48-hours, 24-hours preferred.
- Actively participates in stand-up, stand-down, and other meetings as assigned.
- Attend All-Staff unless absence is pre-approved by department head.
Working Environment:
The Hospice Aide must be actively involved in all areas of patient care. The Hospice Aide will primarily be in the field; however, will spend time in the office for meetings, charting, phone calls, etc.
The Hospice Aide position requires the ability to utilize a computer, calculator, cell phone, multi-line telephone, and other related office and nursing equipment.
The Hospice Aide has access to all patient medical records.
The Hospice Aide must have good time management skills.
Transportation:
The Hospice Aide must have a valid driver's license, automobile liability insurance and reliable transportation.
Physician/ADA Requirements:
The Hospice Aide will exert physical efforts on most days which may include kneeling, squatting, reaching, twisting, climbing, walking, and exposure to temperature and humidity changes, and may include lifting and/or transferring a patient when providing patient care.
The Hospice Aide must possess sight/hearing or use appropriate adaptive devices.
The Hospice Aide must provide evidence of an annual TB test and other state-required tests and examinations.
Sitting...........................................................................................1-2 hours/day, often more
Standing.......................................................................................4-6 hours/day
Walking........................................................................................4-6 hours/day
Reaching......................................................................................0.5 hour/day, 8 ft higher or lower
Use of telephone.........................................................................1-2 hours/day
Working under pressure..............................................................3-4 hours/day
Use of keyboard/computer, printer, copier................................1-2 hours/day
- Position requires close work, finger dexterity, and good vision, hearing and oral communication
- May occasionally work longer than 8 hours/day
Job Types: Part-time, PRN, Full-time
Pay: $18.00 - $24.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
Medical specialties:
- Hospice & Palliative Medicine
Standard shift:
Weekly schedule:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Elkhorn, NE 68022: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Preferred)
- CNA (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Elkhorn, NE 68022