Hospice Certified Nursing Assistant

Well Care Health•Greensboro, NC

About The Position

The Hospice Aide is a member of the interdisciplinary group who works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse to provide services that meet patients’ personal needs and promote comfort. The aide observes patients, reports observations and changes in condition, and documents care provided. The position supports patients and families through personal care, companionship, reassurance, and assistance with activities of daily living, while implementing the Hospice Plan of Care as prescribed and supervised by the RN. The aide contributes to coordinated, patient- and family-centered hospice care by communicating with the interdisciplinary team, maintaining accurate medical records, and participating in care-plan revisions and team meetings as schedule permits. The role requires compliance with agency policies, state and federal requirements, professional boundaries, and safety practices. The aide does not perform duties considered the practice of nursing, including administering medications, taking physician’s orders, or performing procedures requiring the training and skill of a licensed nurse. This position has a stated schedule of 40 hours per week, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Overtime may be required during peak workloads or increased volume. The work includes home visits and may involve exposure to blood and body fluids, infectious diseases, traffic, dangerous animals, threats to personal safety, and weather or temperature extremes.

Requirements

Completion of a certificate program in nursing care from an accredited training program.
Current listing as CNA-1 or CNA-2; CNA-1 or CNA-2 certification is required.
Current American Heart Association CPR certification.
Current North Carolina driver’s license and an automobile insured according to state or organizational requirements.
At least 6 months of experience.
Understanding of medical conditions and terminology.
Proficiency in basic computer applications, such as Microsoft Office applications.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to follow detailed and diverse instructions for assisting patients with daily living routines.
Long- and short-term memory ability and ability to create and follow a daily schedule of visits.
Ability to use vision to assess and care for patients safely and document accurately, hearing to detect alarms and communicate, and smell to detect patient changes.
Ability to assist patients with activities of daily living involving frequent pushing, moving, and lifting; frequent positioning, bathing, and ambulation requiring physical effort.
Ability to handle, feel, and grasp with the hands; stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, stoop, kneel, and crouch; and use proper body mechanics to lift at least 50 pounds. May need to independently push or pull a patient weighing more than 100 pounds.
Ability to work in an environment with frequent exposure to blood and body fluids and infectious diseases, and possible exposure to dangerous animals, traffic hazards, personal-safety threats, and weather or temperature extremes.
Ability to work a 40-hour week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; overtime may be required during peak workloads or increased volume.
Ability to work under Registered Nurse supervision and comply with the stated limitations on hospice aide duties.

Nice To Haves

Hospice experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide total care or assist with personal hygiene, elimination, feeding, and mobility according to patient needs and nursing instructions in the plan of care.
Observe patients and report changes in mental or physical status promptly to the RN Case Manager or Hospice Clinical Manager.
Observe patient and family/caregiver physical, psychosocial, bereavement, environmental, safety, and developmental needs and report findings to the interdisciplinary team.
Implement the Hospice Plan of Care under Registered Nurse supervision and provide care using interventions indicated in the plan.
Assist with plan-of-care revisions by reporting observations and changes to the RN Case Manager and other interdisciplinary team members.
Promote patients’ quality of life by encouraging independence, eating, and social contact, and by providing companionship and reassurance.
Provide support, instruction, and education to patients, families, and other caregivers regarding comfort and personal care needs.
Maintain patient comfort, personal hygiene, and a safe, clean, and orderly environment.
Maintain open communication and coordinate care with other interdisciplinary team members.
Maintain accurate and updated medical records, documenting care and interventions as indicated by the plan of care.
Attend and participate in regularly scheduled interdisciplinary group meetings as schedule permits.
Report abuse and neglect in accordance with state laws, regulations, and organizational policies and procedures.
Maintain required certifications and participate in continuing education, annual training, and quality assessment and performance improvement activities.
Follow agency policies and applicable state and federal policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, including documentation, attendance, work schedules, and HR requirements.
Use equipment, supplies, and other resources responsibly and minimize unnecessary inventory.
Maintain professional boundaries and work respectfully with people from diverse social and economic situations without imposing personal values.
Manage work schedules and time off, report to work on time, adapt to changing assignments, and assist team members in completing work.
Demonstrate courteous, sensitive, and respectful communication and collaboration with coworkers, supervisors, physicians, and other departments.
Maintain a clean and neat appearance in personal attire and work areas.
Follow the job limitations for hospice aides; do not administer medications, take physician’s orders, or perform procedures requiring the training, knowledge, and skill of a licensed nurse.
Create and follow a daily schedule of visits.
Use proper body mechanics when assisting patients, including lifting at least 50 pounds.