PRN Hospice Aide (CNA), ProHealth Home Health and Hospice - Birmingham, AL

ProHealth Home Health and Hospice•Birmingham, AL

About The Position

The Hospice Aide provides personal care to terminally ill hospice patients as needed, under the direction and ongoing supervision of a registered nurse. The aide supports patients and their families, including during bereavement, and works as part of the Hospice team in accordance with the interdisciplinary group (IDG) care plan. The role includes assisting with personal care and mobility, providing emotional support, reporting changes in patient or family circumstances, maintaining required skills and certifications, and following safety, infection-control, and procedural policies. The position requires the physical ability to assist with patient transfers and tolerate exposure to body fluids and varying environmental conditions. A current driver’s license, auto liability insurance, and reliable transportation are required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Graduate of an approved training and competency course; CNA required.
Meet federal Home Health Aide training and competency requirements.
Ability to work independently and make accurate, sometimes quick, judgments.
Ability to respond appropriately to crises outside a hospital setting.
Acceptance of and adaptability to different social, racial, cultural, and religious modes.
Current valid driver’s license, auto liability insurance, and reliable transportation.
Provide evidence of an annual TB test and other state-required tests or examinations.
Ability to perform considerable physical effort, including kneeling, squatting, reaching, twisting, climbing, and walking; tolerate changes in temperature and humidity; and maximally assist in lifting or transferring a 100-pound patient.
Possess adequate sight and hearing, or use appropriate adaptive devices, to perform the essential duties.
Ability to work independently, make judgments based on assessments and available data, and act accordingly.
Flexibility, innovation, and good interpersonal skills.
Ability to cope with mental and emotional stress and demonstrate emotional stability.
Ability to tolerate exposure to odors, blood, body fluids, excrements, adverse environmental conditions, and hazardous materials.
Maintain current certification as required by the state.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 2 years of experience as a nursing assistant, preferred.
Active patient contact within the past 3 years, preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide personal care, including bathing and care of the patient’s mouth, skin, and hair.
Assist patients with bathroom use, bedpans, or commodes.
Assist with bed transfers and ambulation as ordered under the care plan.
Perform range-of-motion exercises taught by appropriate professional personnel.
Perform incidental household services essential to the patient’s wellbeing at home.
Prepare meals, including special diets.
Take a patient’s temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure when assigned by a registered nurse.
Assist with shopping if the patient has no other available resource.
Provide emotional support and compassionate care to patients and families, demonstrating listening skills, encouragement, and patience.
Maintain required competency and skills, including participation in documented initial and ongoing RN supervision and evaluation every 14 days for each case assignment.
Participate in the annual performance review.
Immediately report changes in the patient’s condition or family situation to the Hospice office and notify the RN.
Practice Standard Precautions according to OSHA regulations and policy.
Adhere to all policies and procedural guidelines.
Attend at least 12 hours of in-service education programs per year.
Maintain current certification as required by the state.
Maintain current knowledge of and practice infectious disease protocols.
Perform other duties as assigned.