Hospice of the Valley Careers

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Successful completion of a Certified Nurse Aide program to practice as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

2. Have had one (1) year experience with hospice or home health agencies providing physical care to patients in an inpatient facility, long-term care facility or home setting.

3. Possess and maintain a current CPR Certification; and

4. Must have and maintain a current Alabama driver’s license; and

5. Must have reliable transportation and current liability insurance on vehicle; and

6. Must successfully complete the post job offer physical and submit to periodic tuberculin skin tests or chest x-rays at agency expense.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Possesses and maintains good physical stamina and mental health.

2. Demonstrates ability to read, understand, and follow written instructions and

document care given.

3. Understands Hospice philosophy, and is comfortable providing specialized care to

the terminally ill.

4. Is self-directing with the ability to work with little direct supervision. Secure with

the issues of death/dying. Provides a calm manner when in a patient’s home.

5. Has empathy for the needs of the ill, injured, frail and the impaired.

6. Demonstrates tact, patience and good personal hygiene.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUMMARY

The Hospice Certified Nursing Assistant is a paraprofessional member of the Interdisciplinary Team who works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and performs various services for a patient as necessary to meet the patient’s personal needs and to promote comfort. The Certified Nursing Assistant is responsible for observing the patient, reporting these observations, and documenting observations and care performed.

CNA Team members assist with ensuring the health and safety of our patients by providing quality personal care in providing the following services.

1. Responsible for basic and personal care services such as bathing, grooming, and feeding of patients.

2. Meets safety needs of the patient and uses equipment safely (i.e., foot stools, side rails and oxygen).

3. Performs patient care services as assigned by an RN, and within the scope of a C.N.A. in the state of Alabama.

5. Observes and cares for patients’ skin to prevent breakdown.

6. Assists in ambulation and exercise (as directed by primary nurse or therapist).

7. Assists in the toileting needs of patients (assisting with bedpans and urinals, emptying Foley drainage bags and bedside commodes as needed) documenting as necessary.

8. May provide light laundry and cleaning in patient’s living area (as assigned).

9. Reports vital information and changes in patient’s condition to case manager or team leader.

10. Adheres to the Agency’s documentation & care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct. Maintains confidentiality of all patient information. 

11. Provides informed respite for patient/family/caregiver when assigned by the IDT team.

12. Understands that teamwork is a crucial part of our business, and is able to work well

with colleagues, no matter the circumstances. Using individual skills, cooperation with others, and accepts and provides constructive feedback despite any personal conflicts between individuals involved.

13. Utilizes current Agency and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

14. Delivers supplies as needed when part of the patient’s plan of care. Utilizes and monitors supplies to maintain cost effectiveness. Comply with agency supply procedures.

15. Follows standard/universal precautions with all patients and transmission-based precautions as ordered by the IDT.

16. Meets annual educational requirements by attending agency educational programs or assigned self-study modules.

JOB GOAL: To provide triage for after-hours patient and family phone calls, determining the need for services including assessments, symptom management and care plan updates; delegating nursing visits to appropriate staff members; and to maintain communication regarding patient care with the physician and supervisory personnel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must be licensed as a Registered Nurse through the State Board of Nursing; and

2. Must be a graduate of an accredited school of professional registered nursing, BSN preferred; and

3. Have had one (1) year med-surg experience with a hospice, home health, medical, surgical or critical care experience; and

4. Possess and maintain a current CPR Certification; and

5. Must have and maintain a current Alabama driver’s license; and

6. Must have and maintain current liability insurance on vehicles; and

7. Must successfully complete the post job offer physical and submit to periodic tuberculin skin tests or chest x-rays at agency expense.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience with providing good pain management, IV skills preferred; and

2. Committed to the Hospice philosophy and principles of death/dying; and

3. Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling role obligation (24/7), and have the ability to work within an Interdisciplinary Team; and

4. Have had home health care or nursing home experience desired; and

5. Possess and maintains good physical stamina and mental health; and

6. Complies with accepted professional standards and principles.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Assumes responsibility for triage of after-hours patient and family phone calls, determining the need for services including assessments, symptom management and care plan updates, delegating nursing visits to appropriate staff members.

2. Obtains data on physical, psychological, social and spiritual factors that may impact patient and family’s needs and initiate intervention by other members of the interdisciplinary team as appropriate.

3. Initiates communication with the attending physician, other interdisciplinary staff members, and other agencies for the purpose of coordinating optimal care.

4. Effectively utilize resources to assist in meeting the patient’s needs.

5. Performs therapeutic nursing procedures and symptom management as directed by the attending physician.

6. Determines absence of vital signs and report to Medical director for clinical pronouncement of death and provides support to family.

7. Performs initial assessment of individuals referred for care, determines eligibility under hospice criteria and performs admission of the patient.

8. Maintains an accurate clinical record through the timely preparation of admission and progress notes as well as on the plan of care as appropriate, utilizing current company software.

9. Maintains regular communication with all members of the interdisciplinary team, alerting physician and case manager to any changes in the patient’s condition or needs as well as potential problems or issues. Provides an accurate end of shift report to ensure continuity of care, particularly urgent visit needs at change of shift.

10. Provides effective teaching to family, caregivers and interdisciplinary team members to ensure continuity of care for the patient

11. Develops and maintains familiarity with federal, state, and Hospice of the Valley policies and procedures regarding patients’ hospice benefit.

12. Provides appropriate guidance and direction to back-up on-call nurses where appropriate and assists in decision-making regarding patient’s needs.

13. Accepts responsibility for professional growth and development through participation in continuing education programs, agency in-services, and community events.

14. Adheres to dress code.

15. Adheres to work schedule and maintains good punctuality and attendance records

16. Understands that teamwork is a crucial part of our business, and is able to work well with colleagues, no matter the circumstances. Using individual skills, cooperating with others, and accepts and provides constructive feedback despite any personal conflicts between individuals involved.

17. Utilizes current Agency and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

18. Adhere to the current agency schedule (7 on 7 off), which is subject to change per agency discretion.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.