* Provides personal care services to hospice patients under the direction of the Registered Nurse or Hospice Interdisciplinary Team, in accordance with the patient's Plan of Care. The Hospice CNA is assigned to specific patients by the Registered Nurse and performs services necessary to maintain patient comfort, dignity, and quality of life during the end-of-life journey, in keeping with the hospice philosophy of care.
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Qualifications
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Current state CNA certification required.
Be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Minimum of six (6) months work experience in a supervised setting; hospice, home health, or health care facility experience preferred.
Demonstrate ability to read, write, and follow a written Plan of Care and document tasks performed.
Good verbal, written, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate compassionately with patients and families facing end-of-life issues.
Ability to work effectively with patients and families under emotional stress, including those experiencing grief, loss, and anticipatory grief.
Licensed driver with automobile insured in accordance with state and/or Agency requirements and in good repair.
Good driving record.
CPR certification as required by Agency policy (may be waived per patient's DNR/POLST status and Agency protocol).
Essential job functions/responsibilities
Provides comfort-focused personal care, including but not limited to
Bathing
Shampooing
Skin care and pressure injury prevention
Oral hygiene and mouth care for comfort
Shaving
Dressing and positioning for comfort
Range of motion exercises and repositioning to prevent complications
Performs household services essential to patient comfort and safety at home, including but not limited to:
Light meal preparation
Laundry
Light housekeeping related to patient care areas
Provides emotional support and companionship
Offers a calm, compassionate presence to patients and families
Supports patients' comfort, dignity, and quality of life in accordance with hospice philosophy
Provides respite and support to family caregivers
Observes, reports, and documents
Reports observed changes in patient condition, comfort level, symptoms (e.g., pain, breathing changes, skin changes), or needs to the Registered Nurse promptly
Follows reporting guidelines outlined in the hospice Plan of Care
Documents care provided and observations accurately; submits documentation per Agency and Medicare Hospice Benefit requirements, at least weekly or as required
Recognizes and reports signs of active dying/approaching death to the RN per Agency protocol
Safety and infection control
Promotes personal safety and a safe environment for patients by observing infection control practices, following Agency guidelines, and reporting unsafe situations to the Registered Nurse
Demonstrates safe practice in the use of equipment (e.g., hospital beds, lifts, oxygen); does not use equipment until orientation has been provided; notifies supervisor of educational needs
Team collaboration
Communicates effectively with the hospice Interdisciplinary Team (RN, Social Worker, Chaplain, Bereavement Counselor, Physician) through verbal reports, care conferences, and team meetings
Participates in the coordination of care to support the patient's and family's physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort goals
Professionalism and compliance
Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of the job, including patient and family sensitive end-of-life information
Attends hospice-specific in-service programs and training to meet compliance requirements (e.g., death and dying, grief support, comfort care techniques)
Identifies learning needs to Agency supervisor
Performs other related duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary
