Hospice CNA

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides care to clients in their home under general guidance and direction of the Director of Nursing or RN Case Manager, according to physician's orders, established guidelines, and policies and procedures. This position reports to the Director of Nursing or designee.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Must be a Certified Nursing Assistant, with one (1) year experience preferred.
• Must be CPR certified.
• Have the desire and maturity to care for people, who are elderly and/or chronically ill, and ability to treat clients and their possessions with dignity and respect.
• Ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship with the client, client's family, facility staff, and coworkers.
• Ready access to a cell phone for receiving assignments or changes in assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and capability of following verbal directions and written instructions.
• Schedule flexibility and travel required.
• Must have valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide only those services in the plan of treatment and received as written instructions from a Registered Nurse or licensed therapist. Written instructions may be given concurrently by the Registered Nurse and one or more therapists.
• A Certified Nursing Assistant must not administer medications, but may remind the client to take medication, and may supervise the client who is able to self-administer medication. Supervision of self-administered medication means the Certified Nursing Assistant may:
• Remind client to take medication(s) and observe client taking medication.
• Open bottle caps for client.                                      
• Read medication label to client and check dosage against the container label.
• Reassure client that they have obtained and are taking the correct dosage.
• Hand the client a compartmentalized medication container which contains the medications to be taken at a given time.
• Perform simple diagnostic activities; such as: take vital signs, take oral or axillary temperature; obtain urine and/or stool specimen for testing.
• Perform or supervise bathing and personal/oral hygiene procedures; such as: shave (electric razor only); hair care; skin care as written in the plan of treatment; nail care to non-diabetic clients; tooth or denture care, and special mouth care.
• Position clients for meals, feed or encourage self-feeding, observe and record food and fluid intake when necessary.
• Specialized duties as appropriately delegated by a registered nurse or therapist after training has occurred for that specific duty.
• Assist client in elimination by: reminding client to go to the toilet; assisting client in use of bedpan, urinal, commode, or toilet; observe, measure, and record output, if applicable; and change external catheter drainage tubing and bag.
• Perform bag change procedures on only well-regulated ostomies.
• Assist client with ambulation, including: physical support, use of cane, crutches, walker, or wheelchair.
• Assist client in movement using good body mechanics to transfer clients between bed and chair or to change client positions and correct body alignment.
• Use special equipment and supplies (i.e., sheepskin pads, cradles, sandbags or similar devices, braces, foot boards, oxygen equipment, etc.) as instructed.
• Change dry dressings according to written instructions from the RN Case Manager.
• Use proper client safety and comfort measures, such as good hand washing technique, proper disposal of body waste, adjusting bed side rails, and smoking precautions.
• Provide social interaction and reassurance to the client and family.
• Document visits which comply with the Certified Nursing Assistant Plan of Care.
• Protect clients' rights, including confidentiality.
• Observe and adhere to OSHA guidelines, particularly "Standard Precautions."

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

• Respond to staff, patient, and family needs.
• Perform normal household services essential to health care at home.
• Perform related duties as assigned or required.

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