Hospice Aide

Ohio Living • Columbus, OH

11d

About The Position

The Hospice Aide is a member of the interdisciplinary group who works under the supervision of a registered nurse. The aide provides care and services to patients at the end of life to increase comfort, maintain personal hygiene, and support a safe, healthy environment. The role includes observing patients, reporting observations to the RN Case Manager, and documenting observations and care in accordance with company standards and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

The Hospice Aide provides personal care, mobility and toileting assistance, nutritional support, psychosocial support, and homemaking services according to each patient's plan of care. The aide may assist patients with medication self-administration, accompany or drive patients to appointments, help maintain a comfortable and safe environment, and provide terminal care. The role also includes documenting care in an electronic medical record, participating in interdisciplinary meetings and training, and working scheduled weekend, holiday, and on-call shifts as necessary.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in good standing on the Ohio Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• Must be insurable under professional liability and crime coverage policies according to insurance carrier underwriting standards.
• Ability to sit up to 8 hours per day, stand up to 4 hours per day, walk up to 2 hours per day, drive up to 6 hours per day, and lift, transfer, push, or pull patients or equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as scheduled.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience as a CNA, home health aide, or in a similar position in an acute care setting.
• Knowledge of home health aide practices and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Complete personal care as directed by the hospice nurse and according to the patient's plan of care.
• Provide bathing, oral hygiene, hair and skin care, shaving, nail and foot care, and dressing assistance.
• Provide psychosocial support to patients and families related to end-of-life care.
• Set up meals and assist with feeding when needed.
• Report changes in a patient's physical or emotional condition, complaints of pain, and family concerns to the hospice nurse or supervisor.
• Assist with patient mobility, including walking, transferring, turning, and positioning, using transfer devices as directed.
• Assist with toileting, including use of a bedpan, urinal, bedside commode, or toilet, and provide incontinence care.
• Assist patients to self-administer medications and prompt or assist them with electronic medication reminder systems, as directed.
• Maintain a safe and clean environment, care for personal equipment, and provide homemaking services such as bed making, light housework, laundry, and errands.
• Accompany patients to medical appointments and occasionally drive them to appointments or other activities.
• Perform assigned activities such as recording temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure; urinary catheter care; infection control; and emergency procedures.
• Provide or assist with terminal care.
• Maintain a comfortable environment by adjusting lighting and room temperature and changing bed linens; remain alert to safety and accident prevention.
• Provide therapeutic touch or complementary therapies at the patient's request.
• Recognize emotional needs related to terminal illness and confer with psychosocial staff as needed.
• Communicate tactfully and respectfully with patients, families, and caregivers, showing sensitivity to cultural, religious, and ethnic needs while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers and participate in quality improvement projects as needed.
• Observe and report patient status and document care and services in the electronic medical record.
• Participate in interdisciplinary group meetings, in-services, and skills training to support compliance with hospice regulations.
• Read and follow written instructions and document care provided.
• Rotate through weekend, holiday, and on-call shifts as necessary.
• Display initiative and work with minimal direct supervision.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED