PURPOSE OF POSITION

To provide personal care service for the patient in his/her home on an on-going basis under the guidance and instruction of the appropriate nurse. These services are in compliance with the Nurse Practice Act and agency policies and procedures.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Listed below is an outline of the essential duties and responsibilities that will be required. Administrative authority, responsibility and accountability necessary to perform the assigned duties under the supervision of the Team Leader are delegated to the Certified Nurse Aide.

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

DUTIES

1. Personal Care Services

a. Performs personal care services as designated in Plan of Care, which may include:

1. Bathing (tub, shower, bed bath)
2. Mouth care, denture care, skin care, grooming (shampoo hair, shaving), assist with bathroom needs bedpan, bedside commode); dressing activities, transferring, ambulation.
3. Assist family in maintaining clean, safe environment for patient.
4. Therapeutic exercises as instructed and supervised by nurse.
5. Simple nonsterile wound care as instructed and supervised by nurse.
6. Nonsterile vaginal irrigations, cleansing enemas, changing of colostomy bags.
7. Oral feedings.
8. Indwelling catheter care.

b. Measures accurately and records oral, rectal, and auxiliary temperatures; pulse; respiration and blood pressure.

c. Reports significant changes as designated by nurse in patient, family, or caregiver condition in a timely fashion to nurse for follow-through and intervention.

d. Demonstrates personal care techniques to patient, family or caregiver under the instruction and supervision of the nurse.

e. Provides respite care for the patient, family or caregiver.

f. Reinforces RN previous teaching.

g. Assists with post-mortem care.

h. Covers weekend call as needed.

THE CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE MAY NOT:

1. Catherize a patient

2. Perform trach care

3. Perform deep or sterile wound care

4. Administer medication

2. Administration

a. Provides timely and accurate documentation of home visits.

b. Participates in timely revision of patient plan of care.

c. Complies with agency policies, procedures, mission and values statements.

d. Executes duties as assigned by the Team Leader, and nurse.

e. Maintains a professional appearance.

f. Displays a consistent positive attitude.

g. Has knowledge of and follows Hospice policies and procedures.

h. Demonstrates values of Hospice: Professionalism, Respect, Nurturance, Communication, Continuous Improvement.

i. Adheres to Hospice of El Paso Mission Statement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Communication
2. Establishes and maintains effective communication with physicians, hospitals, nursing home and foster home personnel.
3. Establishes and maintains effective communication with team members.
4. Establishes and maintains effective communication with Hospice Administration, Social Work, Volunteer and Nursing Departments.
5. Listens and responds to the patient/family needs in a sensitive and timely manner keeping all parties apprised of developments.
6. Maintains a cooperative manner towards patient/family and all members of the team, and all employees of Hospice of El Paso.
7. Complies with HIPAA standards by abiding with the minimum necessary Protected Health Information to perform job description responsibilities.

2. Professional Development

1. Attends and participates in weekly team, patient care conferences and bereavement conferences.
2. Attends in-service programs. Twelve hours a year is required for all Certified Nurse Aides.
3. Attends workshops and seminars as able.
4. Attends staff support as appropriate for needs.
5. Participates in orientation of employees, volunteers and students as assigned.
6. Attends ethics and compliance training and maintains compliance with the CCP.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Certification as Nurse Aide by Texas Department of Health.
2. Personal vehicle available for transportation during work hours and access to a personal telephone.
3. Valid drivers license, insurance as required by the State of Texas.
4. Must be able to read, write, and speak English at a level which will permit the employee to accurately understand and communicate information as needed to safely and efficiently perform job duties.
5. Must have basic knowledge of technology equipment required for position (computer, smartphone, and work-related applications).

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Works in patient's home setting, as well as throughout the nursing service areas.
2. Subject to frequent interruptions.
3. Involved with physicians, patients, family members, personnel, visitors, government agencies/ personnel, etc., under all conditions/circumstances.
4. Subject to hostile and emotionally upset patients, family members, etc.
5. Willingness to work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
6. Subject to falls, burns from equipment, infectious diseases, odors, etc., throughout the work day.
7. Exposure Level – Category I. Direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids to which standard precautions apply. Personal protective equipment is made available and must be worn.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

1. Physically fit an able to work in a variety of settings, primarily patients homes, foster homes and nursing facilities, during established operating hours.
2. Sits, bends, lifts and walks intermittently during working hours. Is able to sit for prolonged periods.
3. Is able to reposition a minimum of 50 pounds of weight.
4. Possesses sight/hearing senses, or uses prosthetics that enable these senses to function adequately, so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.