Position Summary: 

Provide personal care and support services in the home for persons who are ill, disabled or terminal.  Hospice Home Health Aide is assigned to Hospice patients by the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team, Registered Nurse or designee and functions under the direction of the  plan of care developed by the Registered Nurse in an effort to maximize the patient's/caregiver's independence in performing activities of daily living and/or maintain personal hygiene to and promote comfort in the case of hospice patients.

Education, License & Cert: 

High School Diploma or equivalent required. Preferred for NY. 

Requires valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and active vehicle insurance.

Requires Basic Life Support certification. 

For NY: Home Health Aide Certification Required.  If a caregiver has a Certification as a Nursing Assistant, then enrollment into Home Health Aide class will be arranged and covered by Guthrie Lourdes Hospice. Continued employment is dependent on successful completion and maintenance of the Home Health Aide certification.  Until certified, the caregiver may shadow a preceptor per Hospice COP (Condition of Participation) guidelines.

Home Health Aides must continue to meet the NY annual requirements to maintain their certification. 

For PA: Nurse Aide certification required. If not certified upon hire, must enroll in the next available Guthrie NATCEP class. Until certified, the caregiver may shadow a preceptor per Hospice COP (Condition of Participation) guidelines. The Director will be responsible for ensuring shadowing guidelines are maintained and educational opportunities about the Hospice COP guidelines are provided until PA Nurse Aide certification is obtained.

Experience: 

Previous experience of one year in home care or skilled nursing facility preferred.

Essential Functions: 

All tasks are patient specific and directed per the Hospice Home Health Aide Care Plan and may include:

1. Assists patients with toileting.

2. Prepares basic meals as necessary following patient prescribed diet.  Assist patient with eating as needed.

3. Turns and repositions patients in bed for comfort.

4. Assists patients with ambulation, transfers, and exercises, utilizing appropriate body mechanics and assuring patient and caregiver safety.

5. Performs simple procedures, i.e.: changing urinary drainage bag, changing simple dressings, following appropriate infection control procedures.

6. Provides personal care and help with ADL’s under written plan, 

7. Documents care provided in accordance with the Hospice Home Health Aide plan of care in a timely manner.

8.  Records vital signs as directed.

9. Performs light household tasks to ensure maintenance of clean, safe, and healthy environment, including changing bed linens.

10. Promptly reports any change in the patient’s condition to RN / designee.  Notifies RN of any patient / family concerns or questions.

11. May direct and remind patients to take medication or treatments only as directed by RN. 

12.Follows universal infection control precautions with all patients and additional patient specific precautions (ie. Contact, droplet, respiratory) as appropriate.

Other Duties: 

1. It is understood that this description is not intended to be all inclusive and that other duties may be assigned as necessary in the performance of this position.

2. Travel is required.

Pay Rate ranges from $16.00 - $23.85 per hour,