Full-Time Facility Home Health Aide

TITLE: HOME HEALTH AIDE (HHA)

REPORTS TO: NURSE/ADMINISTRATOR

POSITION DEFINITION:

HHA's provide daily support services, including bathing, dressing and other related activities of daily living. They interact with staff, patients and families. They function under the direction of a Registered nurse or Licensed Practical nurse in providing general, supportive and health related services.

The HHA is employed by the Center for Hope Hospice and may be assigned to work in the Scotch Plains Facility, The Elizabeth Facility, patients receiving care in their own residences or other facilities. Regardless of the venue, the Center for Hope expects all HHAs to provide professional care of the highest quality.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Adheres to and conveys the philosophy of supporting dignity, privacy, independence, choice, individuality and a home-like environment.
2. Participates in the implementation of health care plans and service plans.
3. Provides services in accordance with each patient's plan of care.
4. Is knowledgeable about patients' conditions and observes and reports changes in their status, needs or preferences and reports it to the nurse.
5. Assists with activities of daily living to meet the scheduled and unscheduled needs of the patients assigned.
6. Maintains accurate and timely documentation as required.
7. Receives and gives report from previous shift.
8. Communicates appropriate information and follows established lines of authority.
9. Communicates effectively with patients, family and staff.
10. Performs personal care needs and attends to their requests promptly. If unable to perform a certain task, report to the primary care nurse immediately.
11. Meeting safety needs of patient and using equipment safely and properly (walker, wheel chair, side rails, oxygen, etch).
12. Giving personal care including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos and changing bed linens as per plan of care or as frequently as needed.
13. Assist in dressing and undressing patients.
14. Planning and preparing nutritious meals, including shopping.

15. Assisting in feeding the patient.
16. Providing proper care and observation of patient's skin to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominence.
17. Is flexible, responsive, and cooperative with the needs of the Center, its patients and families.
18. Adheres to and supports all Center For Hope Hospice Policies and Procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION REQUIRED:

Current certification in good standing as a Home Health Aide.

1. Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
2. Possesses and maintains good physical stamina and mental health.
3. Presents a pre-employment physician's health certificate, including negative TB skin tests and /or CXR and other tests as required by specific state statute.
4. Ability to read and follow written instructions.
5. Ability to legibly write and document care given.
6. Understand The Centers philosophy, and be comfortable providing the specialized care needed for the terminally ill.
7. Provide satisfactory references from previous employers.
8. Self-directing with the ability to work with little supervision.
9. Secure with issues of death and dying; providing a calm manner.
10. Demonstrates empathy for the needs of the ill, injured, frail and the impaired.
11. Flexible and cooperative in fulfilling role obligation.
12. Ability to be tactful and patient.
13. Demonstrate good personal hygiene.
14. Current, valid driver's license with automobile in good working condition and is insured in accordance with organization's requirements and the state.

EXPERIENCE:

Previous experience working with older adults in a hospice or in a home care setting preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Private residences

In-patient facilities to include but not limited to: Scotch Plains, Elizabeth and/or any in-patient facility assigned.