Home Health Aid

JOB DESCRIPTION – CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AIDE POSITION SUMMARY: As a member of the interdisciplinary team the home health aide provides personal care services to the terminally ill patient and performs related tasks in the patient/family place of residence in accordance with the plan of treatment as assigned by the RN Case Manager. Duties assigned are to increase the level of comfort, and to maintain personal hygiene and a safe, healthy environment for the patient and to provide for temporary respite and relief from total care responsibilities for the primary caregiver. REPORTS TO: Registered Nurse Case manager QUALIFICATIONS: Education: A high school graduate. Credentials: Current CHHA Certification within the State. Certification in Hospice and Palliative Home Health Aide desired. Experience: Demonstrated experience as a home health aide or completion of an appropriate hospice orientation and training program. Core Competencies: Demonstrated competency in performance of home health aide functions. Ability to read, write and follow directions. Ability to work with dying patients and their families. Possesses a sympathetic attitude toward caring for the hospice patient and demonstrates positive communication skills in interacting with other members of the hospice team. Other: Valid driver's license and auto insurance. FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Reports changes in the patient’s conditions and needs to the RN Case Manager or Director of Patient Care Services. 2. Observes and reports signs and symptoms of discomfort including presence of pain. 3. Provides or assists patient in bathing, care of mouth, skin, and hair. 4. Assists patients in and out of bed and assisting with ambulation. 5. Turns patients in bed and positions for comfort. 6. Assists with prescribed exercises which patients and home health aides have been taught by appropriate health personnel. hha.doc -- Updated 2014 JOB DESCRIPTION – CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AIDE 7. Prepares meals and assists patients with eating. 8. Assists patients to bathroom or in using bedpan or urinal 9. Performs household services to facilitate the patient’s self-care at his/her place of residence 10. Changes simple dressings or ostomy bags under RN supervision. 11. Tests urine and recording vital signs under RN supervision. 12. Changes bed linen. 13. Observes for safety hazards in the patient’s and organization’s environments and takes appropriate steps to reduce or eliminate them. 14. Attends and participates in in-services, staff meetings. 15. Completes all documentation in an accurate and legible manner. 16. Complies with hospice policies and procedures, laws and regulations and standards of practice.