About the position
To provide personal care and comfort services to terminally ill patients, regardless of their age, and perform related homemaker tasks in the patient/family residences or Cottingham Hospice House, in accordance with the plan of care, as assigned and supervised by the registered nurse.
Responsibilities
- Bathes patient in the bed, chair, tub, or shower, providing for patient's privacy, comfort, and safety while doing so.
- Assists /provides mouth care.
- Shampoos, styles, and/or combs the patient's hair.
- Performs basic nail care and foot care.
- Shaves patient.
- Assists patient to dress.
- Assists with ambulation, transfer, use of assistive devices.
- Turns and positions patient.
- Assists patient to perform range of motion exercises.
- Facilitates elimination, assisting patient to use BSC, diapers, bedpan, urinal or to care for indwelling catheter or ostomy appliance.
- Facilitates nutrition, assists by preparing meal, feeding patient and/or by offering fluids.
- Models competent personal care techniques and communication skills for the caregiver.
- Participates in bereavement care by attending visitations/funerals.
- Assists the nurse by monitoring the patient's condition and reporting any changes noted to the nurse promptly.
- Measures and records vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, weight) as designated in POC.
- Measures I&O.
- Observes and reports changes in skin color, reports any skin tears.
- Monitors the condition of non-sterile dressings and with the direction of the RN changes the dressing when needed.
- Reports any difficulties with elimination.
- Reports any changes in patient's mental status i.e. ability to communicate, level of confusion or any aggressive/agitated behavior.
- Utilizes communication skills /listening skills to promote patient comfort with the procedure.
- Encourages patient to express needs or preferences in personal care.
- Observes and reports patient compliance with safety measures.
- Participates in team conference and IDG as requested to discuss patient and caregiving issues.
- Reports any changes in patient's physical strength, endurance or coordination that would alter the delivery of care as assigned on the CNA POC.
- Performs basic housekeeping duties, as assigned, that promotes hygiene, comfort and safety for the patient and enables the patient to remain in the home or the Cottingham House.
- Changes linen and bed clothes; Launders linen, towels and clothing (in home).
- Washes dishes and utensils.
- Cleans and sanitizes kitchen counters.
- Empties out of date food from refrigerator.
- Organizes food and supplies.
- Delivers medical supplies as requested.
- Works with caregiver to remove unnecessary clutter from patient's environment in order to reduce risk of falls.
- Cleans and sanitizes durable medical equipment.
- Cleans and sanitizes bathroom area.
- Runs errands for caregiver/patient as assigned by RN.
- Participates in review of QI data and makes appropriate recommendations for improvement.
- Manages the agency resources by demonstrating reasonable and efficient use of time, mileage visit schedules and pre-visit activity.
- Monitors utilization of medical supplies, maintains adequate supply in the home to meet patient's needs.
- Assists in organizing, cleaning storeroom.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Completion of a nursing assistant or patient care tech program.
- No experience required.
- In lieu of school verification of a nursing assistant training course, may accept current or former South Carolina CNA certification as proof of completed state required training at time of hire.
- CNA - NURSING ASSISTANT - NCNA certification required.
- If driving is required for the position, a valid driver’s license; an acceptable motor vehicle record, as defined by the Acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Chart; and proof of auto insurance.
