HOM Job Descriptions

Professional hospice nursing work in the home care setting.

Cares for and treats patients in their place of residence, as directed by a physician.

Provides direct nursing care to hospice patients; patient and caregiver education; and emotional support to patient and caregiver.

Has thorough knowledge of the techniques, methods, procedures, principles, and practices of the nursing profession, and ability to apply them.

Diagnoses and treats problems accurately; prepares clear and concise nursing notes.

Maintains frequent and on-going contact with patients/families, other nurses, home health aides, social worker, chaplain, physicians, pharmacists, DME providers, and clerical office assistants.

Receives limited supervision and regular direction as to specifics regarding patient treatment.

Will fulfill additional performance responsibilities as assigned and as necessary.

Certified Nursing Assistant/Hospice Aide

Summary

Semi-skilled nurse’s aide work performed independently but with the training, oversight and direction of an experienced registered nurse; and provided to patients suffering from terminal illness. The HA provides hospice aide services and homemaker services in peoples’ homes and performs administrative functions, mainly at patients’ homes but occasionally at the offices of the HA’s employer.
 
Provides in-home personal care services, limited medical care and treatment; and household services to maintain a safe and sanitary environment in areas of the home used by the patient, such as changing bed linens or light cleaning and laundering essential to the comfort and cleanliness of the patient.   HAs also observe patients’ physical, mental, and emotional conditions and report any change to the nursing staff.
 
Qualifications

The HA must be tactful, patient, understanding, emotionally stable, and dependable and have a desire to help people. The HA also must be able to work as part of a team, have good communication skills, and be willing to perform repetitive, routine tasks.  The HA must be honest and discreet because she/he works in private homes. The HA also will need access to a car to reach patients’ homes.
 
Education

1.     Must have successfully completed a State approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program as defined by current Medicare Conditions of Participation.
2.     Since the individual’s most recent completion of the nurse aide training and competency evaluation program, the individual must have provided nurse aide services for compensation for a period of not less than 24 consecutive months.
3.     Currently listed in good standing on the State nurse aide registry.
 
Experience

1.  One year experience as a nurse aide, nursing assistant, or home health aide required.
2.  Hospice experience preferred.
 
Transportation

Current driver’s license, reliable transportation, and valid automobile insurance required.
 
Communication skills

1.  Must be able to communicate  in the English language
2.  Must be able to read, write and verbally report clinical information to patients, caregivers and other hospice staff.
3.  Must possess verbal communication skills which facilitate effective communication with patients/families of diverse backgrounds, socioeconomic and educational levels.

 

HOME HEALTH AIDE/PATIENT CARE ASSISTANT

Position Description

Semi-skilled nurse’s aide work performed independently but with the training, oversight and direction of an experienced registered nurse.

Performs and/or assists the patient with personal care and home maintenance activities. Provides in-home personal care, light housekeeping duties and limited medical care and treatment over the short or long term to patients suffering from terminal illness.

Performs the following patient care tasks: obtaining and recording radial pulse and respirations; giving a bed bath; making an unoccupied and occupied bed; assisting with ambulation devices (cane, walker, wheelchair), transferring from bed to chair and from chair to bed; assisting a patient in and out of a shower, assisting a patient with toileting activities (use of commode, bedpan, urinal, toilet), emptying reservoirs such as Foley Catheter bags.

Observes patient's appearance and notes gross behavioral changes. Obtains relevant information from patients and/or their caregivers on their current status/condition, and documents results of observations and questioning. Reports finding to a registered nurse. 

Position Description

Develops and coordinates all aspects of the development program for physicians, healthcare professionals, churches, and the community.

Demonstrates effective presentation skills in representing the hospice program to the lay public, healthcare professionals, clergy, media, internal and external customers, and others.

Establishes effective working relationships with hospice staff members, board members, community leaders, physicians, and other health care professionals, media representatives, vendors, internal, and external customers and others who come in contact with the hospice program.

Designs and develops programs to provide education about and to increase the awareness of hospice and the services provided by Hospice of Montgomery.

Develops, evaluates, coordinates and implements a program to educate physicians and healthcare professionals within the organization's service area to include, but not limited to physicians, their office staff, hospitals, social workers, discharge planners, home health agencies, and other health care providers.

Develops, evaluates, coordinates and implements a program of education to community organizations, agencies, groups and churches throughout the areas served by Hospice of Montgomery on the subjects of dying, death ,and bereavement offered.

BEREAVEMENT COORDINATOR

Position Description

Coordinates the delivery of bereavement services to clients.

Plans, develops, coordinates and evaluates a comprehensive bereavement program, including but not limited to mailings, support groups, professional counseling, memorial services, and community outreach activities.

Provides pre-bereavement services to clients, as needed.

Provides short-term individual counseling to clients, as warranted.

Documents care provided and the response of the client; submits documents as described in agency policy; submits written and verbal reports to Clinical Director per request.

Supervises bereavement volunteers.

Provides education to the interdisciplinary team regarding the grief process and related issues.

Provides community education and grief support services to individuals and groups affected by loss.

Fulfills additional performance responsibilities as assigned and as necessary.

SPIRITUAL COORDINATOR

Maintains current knowledge and understanding of predominate religious/spiritual systems and various religious groups in the Hospice of Montgomery service area.

Provides education to the interdisciplinary team members and volunteers regarding the predominate religious/spiritual belief systems in the Hospice of Montgomery service area.

Documents care provided and the response of the patient/family; submits documentation as described in agency policy.

Fulfills additional performance responsibilities as assigned and as necessary.

Administers the development and implementation of volunteer training and development programs as well as the coordination of volunteers for the accomplishment of strategic goals and objectives.

Develops, conducts, and documents volunteer training programs and continuing education programs individualized to specific positions and consistent with regulatory standards.

Recruits, screens, interviews, checks references, trains, assigns, and evaluates volunteers. Matches volunteer interest and skills to client and program needs in determining assignments.

Markets hospice services and volunteer program through promotional/educational activities. Collaborates with Outreach Coordinator regarding community education programs and volunteer recruitment opportunities, and utilization of volunteers for community events.

Assists Executive Director in planning and coordinating meetings of the Board of Directors, board committee meetings, new board member orientation, and other board related activities/events.

Provides direction and coordination of fundraising events.

Fulfills additional performance responsibilities as assigned and as necessary.

Performs secretarial duties including but not limited to typing, document preparation, initiation of routine correspondence, scheduling of appointments and meetings, answering telephone, receiving visitors, sorting and distributing mail, mailing outgoing correspondence, filing, assembling admit charts, breaking down discharge charts.

Develops, implements, and maintains record keeping and filing systems for Clinical Director.

Receives referrals and ensures verbal orders for start of care and physician’s certification are obtained within required timeline.

Assists the CQI Coordinator in collecting and recording statistical data.

Sorts and files in medical records on a daily basis, all medical record information received from patient care staff, hospitals, physician’s offices and other outside sources.