Certified Nursing Assistant

Pasco SW Home Health•Cortez, CO

About The Position

The Home Health Aide (HHA) is a paraprofessional member of the home care team who works under the supervision of a registered nurse or therapist to perform personal care services based on patients’ needs. The HHA observes patients, reports and documents observations and care provided, and is assigned in a manner that supports quality, continuity, and safety after successfully completing a competency evaluation program. The HHA is also part of the interdisciplinary team. The role provides personal care and household assistance, supports patient mobility and nutrition, and performs certain measurements or simple procedures only when ordered and when the appropriate skills competency has been completed and demonstrated. The HHA reports significant changes in a patient’s condition to the assigned nurse and follows organizational care, documentation, safety, and professional-conduct standards. The HHA does not practice nursing, administer medications, take physician’s orders, or perform procedures requiring a nurse’s training, knowledge, and skill, such as sterile techniques. The pay scale is $19.00–$22.00 per hour. The employer identified in the posting is The Pennant Group, Inc., a holding company whose independent operating subsidiaries provide healthcare services through home health and hospice agencies and senior living communities.

Requirements

Successfully complete a state-approved training and competency evaluation program meeting applicable requirements, and be listed in good standing in the state nurse registry.
If there has been a continuous period of 24 months or more without providing the described aide services, complete another training and competency program before providing services.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Be able to read and follow written instructions and document care given.
Be self-directing and able to work with little direct supervision.
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 a licensed driver with an automobile insured in accordance with organization requirements and in good working order.
Do not perform functions considered the practice of nursing under the state’s Nurse Practice Act; specifically, do not administer medications, take physician’s orders, or perform procedures requiring a nurse’s training, knowledge, and skill, such as sterile techniques.

Responsibilities

Provide personal care, including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos, changing bed linen, assistance with dressing and undressing, and nail and skin care to prevent breakdown.
Assist patients with toileting activities.
Keep the patient’s living area clean and orderly, as appropriate.
Plan and prepare nutritious meals and assist with feeding when necessary.
Take and record oral, rectal, and axillary temperatures, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure when ordered and after appropriate skills competency is completed and demonstrated.
Assist with ambulation and exercise according to the plan of care.
Perform range of motion and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service when ordered and after appropriate skills competency is completed and demonstrated.
Assist patients with self-administration of medication.
Do the patient’s laundry, as appropriate.
Meet patients’ safety needs and use equipment safely and properly, including foot stools and side rails.
Observe patients, document observations and care provided, and report the patient’s condition and significant changes to the assigned nurse.
Follow the organization’s documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct.
Attend 12 clock hours of in-service training annually during a 12-month period.
Attend scheduled Case Conference meetings as part of the Interdisciplinary Group to discuss patients in whose care the aide is involved.
Perform other job-related tasks as requested.
Work under the supervision of a registered nurse or therapist and as part of the interdisciplinary team.