CNA - Homecare & Hospice (23785)

## Description
**POSITION SUMMARY:**
The Certified Nursing Assistant is responsible for providing optimal patient care within the home, under the direction of an RN.
**DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:**

Provides direct care and personal care services to patients in the home environment by

• Performing personal care activities such as bathing (bed bath, tub bath, or shower), dressing, oral hygiene, hair care, nail care, shaving, changing bed linens, skin care, etc.
• Assisting with the patient’s elimination needs by assistance with the use of bed pans, urinals, and commodes, or assisting to the bathroom.
• Performing certain procedures such as vital signs, weight, catheter care and urine testing, assisting with the change of colostomy bag and reinforcement of dressings, and reminding patient to take medications when instructed by the professional nurse.
• Assisting with walking, standing, sitting, transferring, and positioning, with or without the use of devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.
• Assisting with prescribed range of motion exercises which have been taught by a health care professional employed by the agency.
• Preparing special diets and assisting with feeding.
• Measuring intake and output of fluids.
• Immediately reporting to the HomeCare RN or therapist supervisor any changes in the patient’s condition, appearance or behavior, or any problems in carrying out the assigned duties such as any requested deviance from the aide assignment sheet, or the absence of the patient from their home at the time of the visit.

Provides a clean and safe environment for the patient

• Performing light housekeeping tasks such as doing patient’s personal laundry, vacuuming, sweeping, and dusting of the patient’s immediate environment and tidying the bathroom after bathing patient.
• Straightening the patient’s room as necessary.
• Attempting to remedy and instruct the patient/family regarding apparent safety hazards.

Promotes patient independence and optimal physical and emotional functioning through activities such as

• Reading, conversation, assisting with correspondence and other socialization during the visit.
• Grocery shopping and accompanying patient to appointments.
• Supervising and assisting with self care activities, encouraging mobility and activity to the extent permitted.
• Keeping the professional staff informed of the patient’s mental and emotional status.

Provides comprehensive documentation in the patient’s medical record that is reflective of the patient/family clinical progress:

• Recording all services rendered and patient responses to care in accordance with Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare policy documentation guidelines and third-party regulatory requirements.
• Completing all patient records and Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare forms in an accurate and timely manner.

Demonstrates the ability to organize and manage patient care activities

• Willing and able to meet consistently the patient visit frequency expectations in accordance with the Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare productivity guidelines.
• Organizing work to adequately perform patient care duties as assigned.

Contributes to professional standards of care at Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare by

• Collaborating with Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare management to identify issues that require further exploration.
• Participating in and supporting the Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare Quality Improvement Program.
• Participating in Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare meetings, activities, programs, inservices and continuing education classes. Continuing to develop skills and knowledge base to assist in providing quality patient care.
• Remaining flexible to changes in Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare policy and procedure and in daily scheduling.
• Maintaining collegial relationships with other disciplines, interpreting the role and responsibilities of the Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare Aide to others

Enforces Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare policies and procedures by

• Communicating and interpreting the policies and procedures to members of the Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare team, patients, and families.
• Communicating with Schoolcraft Memorial HomeCare management if policies and/or procedures are violated.
• Follows agency policy and procedures for emergencies.
• Works tactfully and cooperatively with patient and family members and the entire staff throughout the agency. Contributes to effective client relations by assisting patients, families, co-workers, and other health care members to resolve expressed concerns and by demonstrating a positive and helpful attitude.
• Minimizes infectious diseases among employees and patients by following infection control policies and protocols. Attends on-going inservices education programs regarding safety issues in the home, equipment, and HIV precautions.
• Keeps information confidential by adhering to the terms of Schoolcraft Memorial Human Resources policy concerning confidential information.
• Demonstrate appropriateness in meeting objectives in age-specifics.
• Contributes to organizational operations by performing other related duties as may be required.

## Qualifications
Must be certified as a nurse assistant or home health aide. Any lapse in providing services in this capacity must be less than 24 months in duration.
One year experience in hospital, nursing home, or home care desired, home health care preferred.
High School graduate or G.E.D.
Current CPR certification
Able to provide own transportation to patients’ homes.
Positive mental and physical health
Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills
Satisfactory references
Able to work beyond scheduled hours as needed.