Certified Nurses Aide (CNA)

Summary:
The Home Health/Hospice CNA is a paraprofessional member of the home care team who works under the supervision of a registered nurse and performs various services for a patient as necessary to meet the patient’s personal needs and to promote comfort.  The Home Health/Hospice Nurses Aid is responsible for observing the patient, reporting these observations, and documenting observations and care performed.
 
The Home Heath/Hospice CNA will be assigned by a Registered Nurse in a manner that promotes quality, continuity, and safety of a patient’s care.

Essential Functions:

• Performs personal care needs after given a patient’s assignment and attending to his/her requests promptly.  If unable to perform a certain task, report to the Case Manager immediately.
• Provides patient and family with positive communication techniques, within realm of ethical and respectful care, including confidentiality.
• Meets safety needs of patient and uses equipment safely and properly (foot stools, side rails, O₂ etc.).
• Gives personal care including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos and changing bed linen as often as assigned.
• Assists in dressing and undressing patients as assigned.
• Plans and prepares nutritious meals.  May provide shopping as assigned.
• Assists in feeding the patient as assigned.
• Takes and records oral, rectal, and auxiliary temperatures, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure when ordered with appropriate complete/demonstrated skills competency.
• Provides proper are an observation of patient’s skin to prevent skin breakdown.
• Assesses and reports on patient’s condition and significant changes to the Case Manager. 
• Has an awareness of the caregiver or other individuals living with the patient and interpersonal issues.
• Assists in ambulation and exercise as instructed by a nurse or therapist according to the plan of care.
• Provides normal range of motion and transfers/positioning as directed.
• Assists with self-administered medications as allowed by state regulations, such as “reminders”.
• Offers and assists with bedpans and urinals.  Provides assistance, as assigned, with light laundry needs.
• Performs range of motion and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service as ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency.
• Keeps patient’s living area clean and orderly, as assigned.
• Adheres to the organization’s documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct.
• Participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
• Respectful of patient and family/caregiver environment and patient’s personal needs.
• Performs other duties as required and necessary to ensure the success of the Agency.

 
Supervisory duties:

• None.

 
Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Ability to consistently promote, support, work, and act in a manner in support of the Mount Evans mission and values.
• Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care given.
• Good oral and written communications.
• Ability to communicate clearly.
• Good organizational skills.
• Is self-directing with the ability to work with little direct supervision.  Provides a calm manner when in a patient’s home.
• Has empathy for the needs of the ill injured, frail and the impaired.
• Demonstrates tact, patience, and good personal hygiene.
• The Home Health/Hospice CNA will understand hospice philosophy, comfortable providing specialized care to the terminally ill and will be secure with end of life issues of death and dying.

 
Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Meets the training requirements of the state.
• Completed a minimum of 75 hours of classroom and supervised practical training.  Sixteen (16) hours of classroom must be completed prior to a mandatory 16 hours of practical training.

 
Experience:

• Minimum of one (1) to five (5) years of CNA experience

 
Additional Requirements/Licenses/Certifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Satisfactory references from previous employers.
• Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.
• Possess and maintain CPR certification.