Hospice Aide (CNA)

Iowa City Hospice•Iowa City, IA

About The Position

The Hospice Aide provides compassionate, hands-on care to hospice patients and support to their families. The role focuses on dignity, comfort, emotional support, and meaningful one-on-one connections, while working as part of an interdisciplinary hospice team. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour midday break if preferred. The aide assists patients with daily living activities, observes and reports changes in condition, provides companionship, assists with medications and treatments under a nurse’s direction, and helps maintain a clean and safe environment. The aide follows safety and infection-control guidelines, communicates and collaborates with the hospice team, and uses work technology and client-care equipment appropriately. Employment offers are conditioned on a criminal background check conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and a negative result on the Office of Inspector General’s Excluded Provider List. Continued employment requires obtaining current CPR, Mandatory Reporter Certifications, and Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative certification by the third year of employment.

Requirements

Active Iowa CNA certification and an Iowa Nurse Aide Certificate Number.
Completion of the 75-hour home health aide training program.
Completion of the written and skills portions of the National Homemaker-Home Health Aide Certification Program.
CNA experience.
Ability to provide physical assistance with mobility and personal care.
Compassionate, patient-centered approach to caregiving.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including effective spoken and written English.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Organization, time management, and attention to detail sufficient to manage workload and productivity expectations.
Professionalism, sound decision-making, and adherence to ethics, standards, and agency policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain confidentiality in client, employee, and agency matters.
Ability to use technology effectively and appropriately.
Proof of license and current insurance coverage.
Car, driver's license, and adequate insurance as outlined in personnel policies.
Ability to pass the required criminal background check and receive a negative result on the Office of Inspector General’s Excluded Provider List.
Obtain current CPR, Mandatory Reporter Certifications, and Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative certification in hospice and palliative care by the third year of employment.

Nice To Haves

Hospice, palliative, or home health care experience.
Two years of work-related experience.

Responsibilities

Assist patients with daily living activities, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility.
Observe and report changes in patient condition.
Offer companionship, emotional support, and a reassuring presence to patients.
Assist with medications and treatments under the direction of a nurse.
Help maintain a clean, safe, and calming environment for patients.
Collaborate with nurses, social workers, and the hospice care team.
Follow safety and infection-control guidelines.
Maintain confidentiality and respond appropriately to unmet patient needs.
Use technology effectively and appropriately, including client-care equipment, iPads, smartphones, voicemail, and email.
Maintain and update professional knowledge and apply agency policy and procedure changes.

Benefits

Wellmark medical and dental coverage.
Avesis vision coverage.
Voluntary benefits through Unum, including short-term disability, critical illness, and accident coverage.
Employer-paid life and disability insurance.
Paid vacation and sick leave.
403(b) retirement plan with company match.
Thorough orientation and ongoing professional development.
Company car or mileage reimbursement.
iPhone and iPad provided for work.
Free parking.