Hospice Aide – Hope Hospice – Bulverde, TX

Job Summary: Provides personal healthcare and related services to the patient in their place of residence; to assist in providing a safe and clean environment, work cooperatively with patient and family and share observations and problems with the supervisor. Works under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse.

Qualifications:

• Minimum one-year experience, as a Hospice Aide or Nursing Assistant in a hospital, nursing home, home health agency, hospice, or long-term care facility.
• Must have current state certification as a nurse assistant and have completed a Certified Nursing Assistant Program or course at a recognized college, university, or prep school.
• Must successfully pass the written competency evaluation and skills validation as required by regulations, prior to delivery of services, and updated at least every 12 months.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid and current Texas driver’s license, and automobile insurance.
• Communicates effectively in English, both verbal and written.
• Computer knowledge required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age, mature, and able to deal effectively with the job demands.
• Able to tolerate rapid fluctuations in workload and varied distances of travel related to patient visits.
• Sensitive and sympathetic attitude toward the sick and their caregivers/families.
• Evidences personal integrity, appropriate personal presence, and strong work ethic.
• Able to work effectively within a team approach as well as independently.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs personal care, which may include bath, oral hygiene, hair and nail care, incontinent care, dressing and undressing, and linen change.
• Performs skin care; observes, documents, and reports skin breakdown.
• Assists with exercises such as ambulation, transferring, positioning and passive range of motion as instructed.
• Uses all medical equipment properly and safely to meet the safety needs of the patient.
• Assists with nutrition by preparing meals and assisting with feeding if required.
• Measures and records vital signs when ordered.
• Assists patient with self-administered medications.
• Assists with elimination, which may include emptying of drainage bags, assistance with bedpan, urinal or bedside commode.
• Maintains patient’s immediate environment with respect to safety, cleanliness and order.
• Communicates with patient and family using effective listening skills and respects patient’s rights.
• Practices safety measures, including universal precautions, back precautions, home and personal safety precautions, and by reporting injuries, accidents, and incidents according to policy.

• Documents each patient visit accurately and reports unusual or unexpected events and changes in the patient’s status to the Care Manager or Clinical Coordinator.
• Delivers patient care according to the Plan of Care developed by the RN.
• Attends interdisciplinary team meetings as schedule permits to give updates on patient/family.

• Support philosophy and objectives of Hope Hospice.
• Maintain professional appearance, behavior, attitude, and integrity.
• Keep abreast of and abide by policies and procedures of the agency.
• Maintain confidentiality and ethical behavior.
• Promote a team approach through cooperation, mutual respect, flexibility, and dependability.
• Participate in appropriate meetings and activities, including Performance Improvement.
• Exhibit good stewardship of resources, including self-care.
• Read materials and attend in-services, seminars or conventions as needed for professional growth.
• Contribute to an atmosphere of excellence, mutual respect, and caring.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions: Driving to and visiting in patient homes and nursing homes which may include climbing stairs and variable circumstances. Able to lift, carry, push and pull greater than 50 pounds, repeatedly. Requires working under stressful conditions to meet deadlines, to identify patient needs, to make quick decisions and meet patient/family needs. Requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. Ability to utilize durable medical equipment in the home. Potential for exposure to blood and body fluids and infectious material. Also function in normal office environment; moderate amount of standing, walking, stooping, sitting, reaching.

Travel

There is no anticipated overnight travel for this position. Local day travel is required.

Please note this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of the employee assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.