CNA - Hospice

Position Summary

The Hospice Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides compassionate, hands-on personal care and supportive services to hospice patients experiencing advanced or terminal illness. The CNA works under the direction and supervision of the hospice nurse and interdisciplinary team to promote patient comfort, dignity, safety, and quality of life.

The CNA supports patients in their homes, residential settings, nursing facilities, assisted living communities, or other hospice care settings and communicates changes in the patient's condition to the supervising nurse.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

- Provide compassionate personal care to hospice patients according to the individualized plan of care.

- Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, grooming, oral care, dressing, toileting, and incontinence care.

- Assist with transfers, positioning, ambulation, and use of appropriate mobility and safety equipment.

- Reposition patients as directed to promote comfort and help prevent pressure injuries.

- Assist with meal preparation and feeding as permitted by the patient's care plan.

- Encourage appropriate fluid and nutritional intake when consistent with the patient's wishes and plan of care.

- Provide catheter and other basic supportive care within CNA scope of practice and organizational policies.

- Maintain a clean, safe, and comfortable patient environment.

- Change linens and perform light housekeeping tasks directly related to patient care.

- Observe and report changes in the patient's physical, emotional, behavioral, or functional condition to the supervising nurse.

- Report pain, changes in breathing, skin condition, appetite, elimination, mobility, mental status, or other concerns promptly.

- Provide companionship and emotional support to patients and families while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

- Respect patient preferences, cultural values, privacy, dignity, and end-of-life wishes.

- Participate in hospice visits and care activities as assigned by the supervising nurse.

- Follow infection prevention and control procedures and appropriate standard precautions.

- Properly use and maintain patient care equipment and supplies.

- Document services provided and patient observations accurately and timely in accordance with hospice policies.

- Maintain confidentiality of patient and family information in compliance with HIPAA and organizational policies.

- Participate in interdisciplinary team communication and care coordination as appropriate.

- Assist with end-of-life care and post-mortem care according to organizational policies and applicable regulations.

- Participate in required in-service education, competency assessments, and continuing education.

- Follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws, hospice regulations, and organizational policies.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

- Current certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the applicable state.

- Completion of an approved nursing assistant training program.

- Current CPR certification, or ability to obtain certification within the organization's required timeframe.

- Demonstrated ability to provide compassionate and respectful care to seriously ill and dying patients.

- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, nurses, physicians, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.

- Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation.

- Ability to protect confidential patient information.

- Reliable transportation and ability to travel between assigned patient locations, when applicable.

- Ability to safely perform the physical requirements of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Knowledge of basic nursing assistant principles and practices.

- Understanding of infection control and patient safety practices.

- Strong observation and reporting skills.

- Compassion, patience, and emotional maturity.

- Ability to work independently while following the direction of the supervising nurse.

- ]Ability to respond appropriately to changes in a patient's condition.

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

- Ability to maintain professional boundaries.

- Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary hospice team.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to:

- Frequently stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, and reach.

- Assist patients with transfers, repositioning, and mobility.

- Lift and/or move patients and equipment using appropriate techniques and assistive devices.

- Perform repetitive movements associated with patient care.

- Travel to patient residences and other care settings as required.

- Safely perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment

The Hospice CNA may provide care in a variety of settings, including:

- Patient homes

- Assisted living facilities

- Skilled nursing facilities

- Hospice facilities

- Residential care settings

- Other locations designated by the hospice organization

The position may involve exposure to bodily fluids, infectious diseases, medical equipment, emotional stress, and end-of-life situations. Appropriate personal protective equipment and infection-control practices must be followed.

Performance Expectations

The Hospice CNA is expected to:

 - Provide respectful, compassionate, and patient-centered care.

- Follow the patient's individualized plan of care and the direction of the supervising nurse.

- Promptly report significant changes in patient condition.

- Maintain accurate documentation.

- Protect patient privacy and confidentiality.

- Demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and ethical conduct.

- Support the hospice philosophy of comfort-focused, dignity-centered end-of-life care.