Home Care Nurse Aide

MyMichigan Health•Midland, MI

About The Position

The Home Care Nurse Aide at Woodland Hospice House in Mt. Pleasant follows each patient’s care plan and provides or assists with personal care when the patient or family cannot perform those tasks. The aide cares for patients with a range of diagnoses and at different stages of illness, performs simple procedures as an extension of nursing services, and works as part of the interdisciplinary team. The aide reports changes in patient condition to a registered nurse and completes required records in accordance with policy and agency timelines. The position also involves maintaining a safe environment, supporting patients’ independence and skin integrity, communicating respectfully with patients and families, and following organizational policies and infection-prevention procedures. Aides attend required meetings and in-services and complete at least 12 hours of continuing education or in-service training during each 12-month period of employment. The role requires reliable transportation, the ability to drive in changing road conditions, and schedule flexibility, including weekend availability and scheduled on-call work.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
MyMichigan Health Patient Care Technician certification, a State of Michigan CNA certificate meeting the stated service-continuity requirements, or completion of an organizational competency evaluation. For aides employed before January 2018, documentation of a home health/hospice aide competency evaluation is required.
Basic Life Support certification within one month of hire or transfer; the listed qualification source is AHA.
Fingerprinting.
Techniques for Effective Aggression Management certification within six months of hire or transfer, with an extended deadline for employees in the position on or before 12/31/2023.
Satisfactory completion of the Home Health Missouri Alliance Aide test with a score of 85% or above.
Reliable transportation and ability to drive in changing road conditions.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and to speak, write, and understand English.
Ability to relate to people of all ages and individuals from different cultural and spiritual backgrounds.
Ability to work with patients and families dealing with terminal illness, the dying process, and death.
Availability to work weekends, be on call as scheduled, and maintain flexibility in work schedule.
Ability to complete at least 12 hours of continuing education or in-service training during each 12-month period of employment and participate in further learning opportunities as required.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment, including latex materials or an appropriate substitute if required.
Ability to move freely about the facility with or without an assistive device and perform the job functions described.
Vision and hearing sufficient to perform the work, with or without assistive devices.
Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods and frequently change posture, including stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
Ability to handle multiple tasks, work independently, get along with others, maintain regular and predictable attendance, and stay awake.
Dexterity for handling, reaching, grasping, fingering, and feeling, potentially on a repetitive basis.
Ability to meet the stated medium physical demands: occasionally lift or carry 21–50 pounds; frequently handle 20 pounds and/or walk, stand, or push/pull arm or leg controls; and constantly handle 10 pounds.
Ability to follow bloodborne pathogen and TB testing requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide hands-on personal care and demonstrate competency with assigned tasks.
Follow each patient’s plan of care and complete assigned tasks.
Perform simple procedures as an extension of nursing services and assist with ambulation or exercises.
Follow infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
Build positive interpersonal relationships with patients and families and honor patients’ rights.
Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team and report changes in patient condition to a registered nurse.
Complete pertinent records and document care and other relevant information accurately and promptly according to agency policy.
Promote patient independence and assist with or provide bathing, dressing, shampooing, shaving, oral care, skin care, toileting, changing bed linens, and other personal care.
Measure and document temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure when required by the care plan; promptly report abnormal findings.
Promote skin integrity by keeping skin clean and dry, using preventive positioning as specified in the care plan, and reporting changes or observations to a nurse or manager.
Use proper positioning techniques when repositioning, assisting with ambulation, or transferring patients between bed and chair.
Maintain a safe and secure environment while providing care.
Communicate courteously and helpfully with patients, families, and other customers, and support positive team relationships through verbal and non-verbal communication.
Follow organizational policies and procedures and maintain knowledge and skills regarding equipment use.
Demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows.
Attend required meetings and in-services and complete at least 12 hours of continuing education or in-service training during each 12-month period of employment.
Perform other duties as assigned.