HHC / Hospice Aide (Casual)

Home Health Aide

Make a difference in someone's life! Provide hands on care to help patients with personal care and activities of daily living. This is a casual position with limited expectation of a regular work schedule working on an intermittent or sporadic basis, with no guarantee of any work hours.

Under direct supervision of the Home Health Care / Hospice Registered Nurse or therapist provides services in accordance with the plan of treatment developed for the individual patient in their place of residence. Performs related duties as required.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned :

• Assists patients with a variety of tasks including : care of mouth, skin and hair, finger / toenail care, bathing, use of bathroom and / or bedpan, self-administration of medications and assisting with exercises prescribed and which have been taught by the appropriate health personnel.
• Encourages the patient to become as independent as possible within the medically-determined limitations and according to the nursing care plan.
• Gives simple emotional and psychological support to the patient and other members of the household.
• Provides household services essential to health care in the home (laundry / cleaning / trash).
• Prepares meals / assists with eating when needed.
• Performs specific observations or tasks assigned and instructed by the RN such as colostomy care, performing simple dressing changes, checking temperatures, blood pressure, respirations, and weight of patient.
• Observes and reports to supervising RN or HHC / Hospice Supervisor changes in the patient's condition and needs (includes total family).
• Documents care given / observations on documentation forms as per agency policy.
• Completes appropriate records, including daily log, supplies used, travel, coding sheets, and in-service summaries.
• Attends scheduled in-services, conferences, and department meetings.
• Attends Interdisciplinary Group meetings if requested by HHC / Hospice Supervisor.
• Cleans and maintains department's loan equipment, hospice closet, laundry, and foot clinic bags.

It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed on a regular basis, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and / or experience : High School diploma or general education degree (GED). Completion of a formal Home Health Aide program or Nursing Assistant's course or completion of a curriculum or training that includes, but not limited to, the areas addressed in HSS 131 and 133. One (1) to two (2) years experience as a health care provider (i.e. : Nursing Assistant) in a health care facility. or Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Language Skills : Ability to read and interpret documents such as aide care plans, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, professional journals, and procedure manuals. Ability to document care and treatment given and record changes in patient's condition to the supervising RN and / or HHC / Hospice Supervisors.

Ability to communicate and present information effectively, cooperate and respond to common inquiries or complaints from patients, patient's family, co-workers, or the general public.

Mathematical Skills : Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to apply concepts of percentages, ratios, and proportions in practical situations.

Reasoning Ability : Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to be flexible in responding to the needs of patients / families, staff members, and other health care providers. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Computer Skills : To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of word processing, Outlook, and documentation systems.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations : Current licensure from the State of Wisconsin as a Home Health Aide. Verification on Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry and current federal and state certifications. Valid Wisconsin Driver's License, with access to a dependable automobile and carrying at least the minimum automobile insurance coverage. CPR Certification.

Other Skills and Abilities : Thorough knowledge of the developmental stages of the life cycle, especially the aging process. Thorough knowledge of universal precautions. Thorough knowledge of basic nutrition, meal preparation, and housekeeping duties. Thorough knowledge of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the acutely, chronically, or terminally ill patient and family. Thorough knowledge of agency functions and community resources. Thorough knowledge of what, when, and how to report patient observations to R.N. / agency. Ability to carry out care plan independently. Ability to prepare accurate records. Ability to seek and utilize supervision / consultation effectively. Ability to establish and maintain effective patient, family, public and agency working relationships. Ability to lift and assist in moving patients.

Physical Demands : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear; reach with hands and arms; stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to sit, bend, and push and pull; and occasionally stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must frequently lift and / or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally exert force in excess of 100 pounds and transfer patients with weights greater than 100 pounds. Frequently performs tasks, which require hand-eye coordination. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to wear gloves, masks, and other protective equipment.

Work Environment : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to weather conditions; hazards of driving; unclean inside environmental conditions; and difficult interpersonal interaction with exposure to potentially violent patients. May be exposed to odors, infections, contagious diseases, toxic agents, temperature variations / or dust, and the risk of blood borne pathogens. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.