Posted: 02/09/2015 | Employer: Rice Memorial Hospital, Willmar, MN
JOB SUMMARY: The Hospice Aide provides personal care and light household services to Hospice clients on an intermittent, part-time basis under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse in accordance with a medically approved plan of care. The length of the assignment varies based upon client needs. V. JOB RELATIONSHIPS:A. REPORTS TO: Hospice Program Director and Registered Nurses.B. SUPERVISES: NoneC. INTERRELATIONSHIPS WITH: Nursing staff; clerical and support staff. VI. HOURS OF WORK: Usual business hours, Monday - Friday; may also be assigned to evening, night, or weekend hours as needed. Minimum of eight (8) hours per month if patient census mandates. Must complete educational requirements. VII. DRESS CODE: Neat, clean, and appropriate for the home care setting. See also Personnel Policies Handbook “Appearance/Dress Code”. VIII. ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK (Minimum qualifications necessary to function at full productivity).A. EDUCATION AND TRAINING: High School diploma or GED, Home Health Aide/Homemaker or CNA certification from a Minnesota Department of Health approved program.B. EXPERIENCE: Maintains current Home Health Aide/CNA certification by attending required inservices. Good problem-solving and people-skills.C. JOB KNOWLEDGE (Specific): Skills, training and ability to competently provide personal care services and light household duties to the ill, aged and disabled in a safe and efficient manner according to State and Federal standards. IX. BUDGET: None X. CLIENTELE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY JOB: Clients; family members; physicians; multi disciplinary home health care team members. XI. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB: Frequent twisting, reaching, bending forward, kneeling, standing, squatting, climbing a step-stool, and/or going upstairs or downstairs in a client's home. Sitting required for driving a vehicle and doing paperwork. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds for 5-25 feet; lift 40 pounds 18 inches off the floor to waist level; and lift 10 pounds above should height. XII. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB: Exposed to environmental conditions, especially the four-season weather. Snow and ice create hazards for traveling and entering client's residence. The hospice aide may also be exposed to communicable diseases and secondary cigarette smoke. XIII. EQUIPMENT OR MACHINES USED ON THE JOB: Variety of patient care equipment, telephone, calculator, and motor vehicle. XIV. MENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:A. JUDGEMENT AND INITIATIVE: Good judgment and people skills; quick and creative thinking to adapt to a variety of home care situations; flexibility.B. INDEPENDENT ACTION: ability to work alone and independently in the client's place of residence following written instructions and supervision by the Registered Nurse.C. EFFECT OF ERROR: High liability for the employee, supervising nurse, Rice Memorial Hospital, and the physician if the Hospice Aide makes patient care errors or omissions.D. CONTACT WITH OTHERS: Significant amount of people contact with the client, and family members, if present. Flexibility required to meet the unique and changing needs and home care settings/situations of each client. XV. PRINCIPAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES, TASKS, AND AUTHORITIES: A. RESPONSIBILITY: Provide personal care services to clients in their place of residence as assigned by the Registered Nurse in accordance with the established plan of care.PRIORITY: A % O TIME: 60%&nsp; DISCRETION: BTASKS: Some personal care tasks may include, but are not limited to:1) Tub bath, shower, bed bath, or other bathing;2) Oral hygiene;3) Skin, nail, and foot cares;4) Toileting;5) Dressing;6) Shaving AUTHORITIES: B. RESPONSIBILITY: Assist client with ambulation and/or rehabilitation towards an improved level of activity.PRIORITY: A % O TIME: 5%&nsp; DISCRETION: BTASKS: 1) Range of motion exercises;2) Assistance with ambulation;3) Transfers, i.e., bed to chair, chair to commode, etc.4) Rehabilitation exercises.AUTHORITIES: C. RESPONSIBILITY: Monitor temperature, pulse, respirations and weight. PRIORITY: B % O TIME: 5%&nsp; DISCRETION: BTASKS:1) Monitor vital signs as assigned by the supervising RN; 2) Weigh clients, as assigned. AUTHORITIES: D. RESPONSIBILITY: Assist with nutritional needs of the client following special diet instructions as assigned by the Registered Nurse.PRIORITY: B % O TIME: 10%&nsp; DISCRETION: BTASKS: 1) Meal preparation;2) Assist client with tasks related to proper nutrition;3) Feed client, or assist, as necessary.AUTHORITIES: E. RESPONSIBILITY: Light, incidental household duties and personal laundry for clients who are unable to perform these functions due to health and/or physical limitations. PRIORITY: B % O TIME: 10%&nsp; DISCRETION: BTASKS:1) Clean bathroom and bedroom;2) Make bed and change bed linens, as necessary;3) Clean kitchen area, wash dishes;4) Other duties as assigned to meet the unique needs of the client.AUTHORITIES: F. RESPONSIBILITY: Complete necessary paperwork according to established policies and procedures.PRIORITY: B % O TIME: 10%&nsp; DISCRETION: ATASKS:1) Document services provided on established forms;2) Report changes in client's condition to supervising nurse;3) Maintain accurate reports of time worked and miles traveled.AUTHORITIES: G. RESPONSIBILITY: Quality Assessment Performance ImprovementTasks:1) Demonstrates understanding of the QAPI philosophy.2) Participates in QAPI training activities or QAPI teams if appropriate.3) Demonstrates sensitivity to customers and their needs.4) Interacts appropriately with internal customers, i.e. coworkers within department, staff across departments.5) Interacts appropriately with external customers, i.e. patients, families, medical staff, vendors.6) Role models positive behaviors. H. RESPONSIBILITY: Safety - Maintain and promote a safe environment for all patients, visitors and staff. Tasks: 1. Consistently follow all policies, practices and work rules.2. Do not use “shortcuts” or “work-arounds” that may reduce safety or increase risk. 3. Stay alert, act responsibly and use common sense to reduce risks. 4. Report “actual events” and “good catches” as soon as possible. 5. Create a safe environment by eliminating hazards and identifying and reporting unsafe systems. 6. Complete all mandatory safety education, attend safety sessions, review and understand the Safety Program (available on RiceNet). Seek answers to questions you have about the Safety Program. I. RESPONSIBILITY: Service Excellence Tasks:1. Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the Service Excellence philosophy by adhering to behaviors outlined in Rice's “Standards of Excellence.”