Certified Nurse Assistant

Pennant Group•Early, TX

10d

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 provides services to meet patients’ personal needs and promote comfort, observes patients, reports and documents observations and care, and is assigned in a manner that supports quality, continuity, and safety of care. The role may also involve related job tasks beyond those listed in the posting. The aide must not perform duties that constitute the practice of nursing under the Nurse Practice Act. The aide does not administer medications, take physician’s orders, or perform procedures requiring the training, knowledge, or skill of a licensed nurse, such as sterile techniques.

Requirements

Successfully complete a state-established or other training program meeting the requirements of § 484.36(a) and a competency evaluation program, or a qualifying state licensure or competency evaluation program meeting § 484.36(b); meet applicable state training requirements.
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 and demonstrate 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 a licensed driver and have an insured automobile meeting organization requirements and in good working order.
Have good oral and written communication skills and good organizational skills.
Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or have an approved medical or religious exemption, by the first day of work.

Responsibilities

Provide assigned personal care and respond promptly to patient requests; report to the Case Manager immediately when unable to perform a task.
Address patient safety needs and use equipment safely and properly, including foot stools, side rails, and oxygen equipment.
Provide personal care such as baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos, and changing bed linen as assigned.
Assist patients with dressing and undressing as assigned.
Plan and prepare nutritious meals, including shopping, as assigned, and assist with feeding as assigned.
Take and record oral, rectal, and axillary temperatures, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure when ordered and when appropriately trained and competency-demonstrated.
Provide appropriate skin care and observe the patient’s skin to help prevent tissue breakdown over bony prominences.
Report the patient’s condition and significant changes to the Case Manager, and be aware of caregivers or other household members and interpersonal issues.
Assist with ambulation and exercise as instructed by the hospice nurse or therapist.
Offer and assist with bedpans and urinals.
Assist with light laundry needs as assigned.
Perform range-of-motion exercises and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service when ordered and when appropriately trained and competency-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 and performance improvement teams and activities.
Respect the patient’s and family’s or caregiver’s environment and the patient’s personal needs.