Home Care Aide (HCA) Job Description
Golden Coast Hospice is searching for an experienced hospice aid to provide compassionate care to the elderly and to terminally ill patients. Your tasks will include listening to and conversing with the patient, helping them with grooming, and providing regular, personal bedside care to ensure that their quality of life is as comfortable as possible.
To be successful as a hospice aid, you should have a caring and empathetic nature, experience working with the elderly, and basic medical training such as a course in First Aid. An excellent hospice aid must be comfortable dealing with and discussing death, bereavement, and end-of-life issues with the patient as well as family members.
Hospice Aid Responsibilities:
Attending to the patient's personal hygiene including bathing, oral care, nails, and hair grooming.
*Helping the patient to get dressed and undressed.
*Feeding the patient, if necessary, and ensuring that they drink enough to prevent dehydration.
*Shopping for patients, packing food items, and preparing meals. You may also have to do a few housekeeping duties.
*Changing the bed linen regularly to ensure that hygiene standards are maintained.
*Spending time talking to or reading to the patient during bedside visits.
*Assisting with the patient’s administrative tasks such as bills and legal documentation such as finalizing a will.
*Ensuring that in the final stages of life, the patient feels comfortable and free from pain and they do not feel afraid to die.
*Communicating with the patient’s partner, family, and friends in a compassionate and considerate manner about issues pertaining to death.
REQUIREMENTS
*High school diploma or GED.
*A home health aid certificate and a minimum of 2 years experience as a hospice aid.
*The ability to measure vital signs and keep an accurate record of these.
*Communicating changes in the patient's symptoms to the medical team.
*Up-to-date knowledge of infection control and hygiene procedures.
*Excellent interpersonal skills.
*A valid driver’s license and insurance to travel to clinics, nursing homes, or to the private home of the patient.
*Willingness to work flexible hours.
*A caring and compassionate heart, patience, and a respectful nature.