Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Provides direct patient care and support to the Home Care/Hospice patient under the supervision and direction of the registered nurse and/or appropriate therapist. Promotes high quality nursing care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assist the patient with personal care and activities of daily living, including bathing, care of the mouth, skin and hair, backrubs, perineal care, nail care and shaving.
2. Helps the patient with safe transfers and ambulation with or without equipment under the supervisions of the RN case manager or therapist.
3. Helps the patient with prescribed exercises in which the patient and HHA has been instructed in by a qualified RN or therapist.
4. Assists patients with transfers and correct positioning techniques and instructs caregiver in the same.
5. Monitors vital signs, weight, bowel and bladder function and reports to the RN or therapist any significant problems or changes in the patient’s status.
6. Performs routine catheter, perineal and catheter bag care and instructs caregivers in this. Reports and observed complications to RN or therapy case manager.
7. Works with the RN or therapy case manager in planning realistic goals for the patient, and keeps the case manager informed of progress in attaining these goals.
8. Keeps accurate flow sheets and progress reports on patients for each visit and turns paperwork in to Home Care/Hospice office within 24 hours of each visit.
9. Tracks and records mileage on appropriate forms.
10. Reports any new patient findings to RN or therapy case manager.
11. Attends and actively participates in staff meetings, case conferences, and appropriate in-service education programs. Shares information learned from in-services attended with other staff members.
12. Gives talks to public groups as requested in collaboration with HomeCare/Hospice Manager.
13. Actively participates in Quality Improvement.
14. Adheres to LHC telecommuting policy.
15. Other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. May perform or assist RN with certain higher level nursing procedures after receiving direct instruction from the registered nurse responsible for the individual patient (i.e. enemas, simple dressing changes, ostomy care, etc.)
2. Actively participates in Home Care team conferences, Hospice Interdisciplinary team meetings, QA meetings and staff department meetings.
3. Gives emotional support as needed to HomeCare/Hospice patients and families.
4. Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment and reports hazards to case manager or department manager.
5. Responsible for maintaining agency’s image of quality care by providing total, consistent care in a safe and economic manner.
6. Attends the first available Hospice Volunteer training class, if not already Hospice trained.
7. Promotes volunteerism and participates in Hospice public relations.
8. Treats patient information as confidential.
9. Completes annual Livingston HealthCare competencies with assigned time frame.
10. Participates in chart audits and completes by due date.

OTHER FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL EMPLOYEES

1. Supports and models individual behavior consistent with the Standards of Excellence and the mission, vision and values of Livingston HealthCare.
2. Demonstrates commitment to customer service by:
   • Building effective working relationships and treating others with respect
   • Interacting with customers (Patients, co-workers and visitors) in a warm and friendly way.
   • Taking immediate action to meet customers’ needs or requests.
   • Attentive to each customer concern.
3. Demonstrates and encourages an ethic of open and effective communication and teamwork throughout the organization
4. Adheres to Livingston HealthCare’s Code of Conduct and Livingston HealthCare and departmental compliance policies.

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements which may be inherent in the position.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS (Required):

1. Basic high school diploma or equivalent
2. Certification as a CNA required. Agency can provide HHA certification.
3. Valid driver’s license and own transportation
4. Current Basic Life Support (CPR) certification
5. Documentation that applicant is free from active TB.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

1. One year as a nursing assistant, preferably in a community health setting.

2. Good verbal and written communication skills

3. Comfortable speaking in front of a group.

4. Ability to function effectively with minimal supervision in a variety of settings.

5. Massage therapy certification.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands: Heavy manual dexterity necessary to the operation and use of equipment in patient care. Good vision and hearing. Frequently required to push, pull, lift or carry 1-45 pounds, required to walk or stand for extended periods of time.

Machinery and Equipment: Required to operate electrical/mechanical equipment used in patient care. Use of computer required with duties, competency training and clinical information systems.

Exposure: Rare to occasional exposure to contact with chemicals, moving objects, confined spaces, slippery surfaces, extreme temperatures and noise. Occasional exposure to blood and body fluids.