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Hospice of San Joaquin is the oldest not-for-profit hospice of 40 years.  We serve all of San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.  We are committed to continue to be the leader in ensuring quality of the journey, from serious illness through end of life and to honor our mission by honoring life by ensuring patients and their Caregivers are the focus of everything we do.  We are seeking a Dynamic, self-motivated Home Health Aide - Per Diem who thrives in a fast-paced environment and to support our mission.

**Per Federal Health Care Worker Vaccine Requirements, all employees must be fully vaccinated and received Booster against COVID-19 or be approved for a valid religious or medical exemption.  Anyone hired by the company must provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine and booster before they can begin employment.

POSITION PURPOSE/SUMMARY: Provide Hospice patients with high quality personal care and assistance to increase the level of comfort, maintain personal hygiene, and maintain a safe, healthy environment for the patient in the home setting.

PERFORMANCE OF PERSONAL AND BASIC NURSING CARE: Provide Hospice patients with high quality personal care and assistance to increase the level of comforts. Maintain patient hygiene, safety and healthy environment for patients.

1. Assist with or provides personal care, e.g., shower, tub bath, bed bath, oral hygiene shaving, shampooing, cleaning nails, assist to toilet, assist with bedpan and assist with use of bedside commode as patient is able.

2. Provides physical comfort, safety and prescribed rehabilitative measures such as positioning, ambulating and assisting with transfers. Use equipment with debilitated patients.

3. Performs routine procedures such as: feeding non-compromised patients, making occupied and unoccupied beds; cleaning equipment. Demonstrates and teaches these techniques to patient’s caregiver when appropriate.

4. Monitor vital signs when requested by RN.

5. Encourages measures for patient bowel and bladder regularity.

6. Observes/monitors patient’s physical and emotional conditions and reports changes to Hospice Nurse Case Manager in a timely manner.

7. Follows standard precautions in delivering patient care.

8. Assist patient/family/caregiver in coping with terminal care.

9. Manages assigned care load by planning weekly schedule for visits to assigned patients; keeps office and families informed of schedule; maintains routine appointments with families whenever possible.

PERFORMANCE OF HOMEMAKER SERVICES: Promotes a clean, pleasant and comfortable environment in patient’s home as an important part of quality, Hospice care.

1. Changes bed linen, washes patient dishes and performs other minor household tasks to maintain patient’s immediate environment.

2. Adjusts lighting, room temperature, placement of bed and other equipment as needed for patient comfort.

3. Launders patient’s personal laundry as necessary and when requested, including bed linens.

4. Occasionally prepares patient’s meals, assists with feeding, assesses intake and dietary understanding.

5. Provides limited respite to primary caregivers as approved by the

IDT. DOCUMENTATION: Ensures that accurate Home Health Aide records are kept to comply with State and Federal requirements and Hospice of San Joaquin policies and procedures.

1. Uses medical terminology appropriately when reporting on patient’s conditions.

2. Records the patient care, pertinent observations and significant changes including symptoms, mental and physical status, reactions, vital signs, intake, and output as required and directed.

3. Assures that the documentation of care is accurate, clearly stated and legible.

4. Ensures the patient’s right to confidentiality in all communications.

INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM (IDT) COLLABORATION/COMMUNICATION: Ensures the continuity of care to the patient and their family by effectively communicating and collaborating with the IDT members and the patient/family and/or caregivers.

1. May participate in the weekly interdisciplinary team meetings and actively participates in discussions related to patient care.

2. Communicates the need to discuss ‘crisis” patient/family to the home health aide supervisor, the director and clinical services in order to facilitate team discussion.

3. Collaborates with IDT members regarding the patient plan of care.

4. Recognizes the knowledge and skills of other disciplines represented on team and advocates for the most appropriate team member(s) intervention(s) with the patient/family.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

1. Health Screening

2. TB Screening

3. Hepatitis B Series offered.

4. Background Check

5. Reference Check

6. Drug Screening

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

1. Home Health Aide certification as mandated by the State of California.

2. The ability to follow oral and written instructions and keep patient’s records.

3. Ability to make observations of patients, and clearly communicate same, verbally and in writing.

4. Knowledge of appropriate body mechanics.

5. Interest and ability to provide skilled, sensitive care to terminally ill patients and their families.

6. Ability to maintain courteous, tactful relationships with patients, families, staff and other involved persons.

7. Familiar with mechanical beds and use of safety devices, side rails, wheelchairs, bath benches and bedside commodes.

8. CPR Training

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

1. Ability and willingness to drive own vehicle, have a valid California driver’s license in addition, have automobile insurance, which meets State standards. All employees, volunteers, in addition, consultants and consultant volunteers who drive need to provide Hospice of San Joaquin with evidence of insurance. This is necessary to be covered on the agencies non-owned auto policy.

2. Ability to safely maneuver equipment (wheelchairs, etc.).

3. Physically able to walk, stand, stoop, sit and lift.

4. Good manual dexterity.

5. Visual / hearing ability sufficient to comprehend written / verbal information.

6 Able to tolerate driving in a car for long periods of time.

7. Able to negotiate steps and non-paved surfaces to reach patients.

8. Able to move patients and/or bend over bed or wheelchair bound patients while providing care.