Hospice Aide

Luminary Hospice•Kansas City, MO

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 as needed to meet patients’ personal needs and promote comfort, observes patients, reports observations, and documents observations and care provided. Assignments are made to promote quality, continuity, and safety of patient care. Luminary Hospice is a mission-driven organization focused on delivering personalized, compassionate care that preserves dignity throughout the end-of-life journey. Its approach addresses the whole person through medical care, pain management, emotional and spiritual support, and resources and support for families and caregivers.

Requirements

Active STNA or CNA certification in the state where job duties are performed, as required by the state.
Meet state training requirements.
Complete at least 75 hours of classroom and supervised practical training, including 16 classroom hours before the required 16 hours of practical training.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care provided.
Understand hospice philosophy and be comfortable providing specialized care to terminally ill patients.
Satisfactory references from previous employers.
Ability to work independently with little direct supervision and to maintain a calm manner in a patient’s home; comfort with issues of death and dying.
Empathy for the needs of ill, injured, frail, and impaired people.
Current CPR certification, maintained throughout employment.
Demonstrate tact, patience, and good personal hygiene.
Licensed driver with an automobile insured according to organization requirements and in good working order.
Complete a probationary period, with competency in the listed qualifications documented by the supervisor and employee.
Frequently sit or stand and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; reasonable accommodations may be made.

Responsibilities

Perform assigned personal care and respond promptly to patient requests; report immediately to the Case Manager if unable to perform a task.
Use positive, ethical, respectful, and confidential communication with patients and families.
Meet patient safety needs and use equipment safely and properly.
Provide personal care, including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos, and changing bed linens as assigned.
Assist patients with dressing and undressing.
Plan and prepare nutritious meals, including shopping, as assigned.
Assist with feeding as assigned.
Take and record oral, rectal, and auxiliary temperatures, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure when ordered and when appropriately trained and competency-validated.
Provide appropriate skin care and observe patients to help prevent tissue breakdown over bony prominences.
Assess and report patient condition and significant changes to the Case Manager; remain aware of caregivers, other people living with the patient, and interpersonal issues.
Assist with ambulation and exercise as instructed by the hospice nurse or therapist.
Provide range-of-motion assistance, transfers, and positioning as directed.
Assist with self-administered medications as permitted by state regulations, such as providing reminders.
Offer and assist with bedpans and urinals, and assist with light laundry as assigned.
Perform range-of-motion and other simple procedures as ordered and within demonstrated competency.
Provide respite for patients, families, or caregivers 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 and family/caregiver environment and the patient’s personal needs.