Certified Nurse Assistant

Guardian Hospice•Durant, OK

About The Position

The hospice aide is a paraprofessional member of the interdisciplinary group who works under the supervision of a registered nurse. The aide performs services to meet patients’ personal needs and promote comfort, observes patients, reports and documents observations and care provided, and is assigned in a manner that supports quality, continuity, and safety of care. The aide must not perform duties considered the practice of nursing under the Nurse Practice Act. This includes administering medications, taking physician’s orders, or performing procedures that require the training, knowledge, and skill of a licensed nurse, such as sterile techniques. The listed duties are representative, and the employee may also be asked to perform other job-related tasks.

Requirements

Successfully complete a state-established or other qualifying training program and competency evaluation program, or a qualifying state licensure or competency evaluation program, as specified in the job posting.
Meet the training requirements of the state.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Be able to read and follow written instructions and document care provided.
Understand hospice philosophy and be comfortable providing specialized care to terminally ill patients.
Provide satisfactory references from previous employers.
Be self-directing and able to work with little direct supervision.
Be secure with issues of death and dying.
Maintain a calm manner in a patient’s home.
Have empathy for the needs of ill, injured, frail, and impaired people.
Possess and maintain current CPR certification.
Demonstrate tact, patience, and good personal hygiene.
Be able to drive and/or have access to transportation for agency-related travel.
Have and maintain a valid driver’s license, maintain automobile insurance coverage, and have access to an automobile.
Have good oral and written communication skills.
Have good organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Provide assigned personal care promptly and report to the Case Manager if unable to perform a task.
Meet patient safety needs and use equipment safely and properly.
Provide personal care, including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos, and changing bed linen as assigned.
Assist patients with dressing and undressing.
Plan and prepare nutritious meals, including shopping, as assigned.
Assist patients with feeding as assigned.
Take and record oral, rectal, and axillary temperatures, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure when ordered and when competency has been demonstrated.
Observe and care for patients’ skin to help prevent tissue breakdown over bony prominences.
Report patient condition and significant changes to the Case Manager, and remain aware of caregivers, other individuals living with the patient, and interpersonal issues.
Assist with ambulation and exercise as instructed by the hospice nurse or therapist.
Offer and assist with bedpans and urinals.
Provide light laundry assistance as assigned.
Perform range-of-motion and other simple procedures as an extension of therapy services when ordered and competency has been demonstrated.
Provide respite for the patient, family, or caregiver when on-site, as appropriate.
Keep the patient’s living area clean and orderly as assigned.
Follow 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’s and family’s or caregiver’s environment and the patient’s personal needs.