POSITION DETAILS

Part-time, benefited; 40 hours per 2-week pay period; variable shifts including weekend and holiday rotation; Experience-based pay plus shift differentials. Seeking CNA with Med Passer capabilities or LPNs. 2 positions available.

JOB SUMMARY
The Hospice Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Certified Nursing Assistance (CNA) participates as a member of the Hospice Team (Physician, Nurse, Nursing Assistant, Social Worker, Chaplain, Volunteer) to provide holistic care to hospice patients and their families. The LPN/CNA works under the supervision of, and as delegated by, the RN Case Manager to provide care consistent with the overall comprehensive hospice plan of care. The LPN/CNA maintains positive communication with patients, performs delegated care and observes and reports patient responses to care or change in condition within the specified work period.

MAJOR JOB FUNCTION
1. Participates as a member of the Hospice Team to plan and provide holistic care to the hospice patient and family.
a. Provides care consistent with the plan of care and goals identified in the plan.
b. Promptly notifies Nurse Case Manager or Hospice Coordinator of change in patient condition, need or complaint.
c. Works cooperatively with all Team members and respects each Team member’s area of expertise.
2. Provides direct care and support to meet the special care and bereavement needs of child, adolescent, adult and geriatric hospice patient.
a. Provides assistance in activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, nutrition, elimination, mobility or ambulation, maintenance of environment, safety and self-administration of medications as assigned by the Nurse Case Manager.
b. Collects vital signs accurately and observes and reports changes in patient condition to the hospice nurse.
c. Provides emotional support to assist patient and family members to cope with the dying and grief process through a calm, caring presence and active listening.
d. Is sensitive to the families/caregivers need to be in control and meet the patient’s needs. Respects their need to do things as they feel the dying person would desire. Includes and asks caregivers before cares are done; includes them in doing cares as they desire.
3. Documents and maintains data on the patient record.
4. Completes all education assigned.
a. Attends 100% of mandatory meetings and 80% of Hospice Staff/QI meetings. Views videos/reads minutes of meetings not attended. Attends and documents 12 hours of continuing education/in-service per year. Lists all completed education in education record.
b. Assists in the orientation and education of others. Records completion of orientation skills.
c. Assures adherence to ethical and legal standards of the agency. Is aware of and nursing practice is congruent with the Hospice Touch Mission Statement and Tomah Health Mission and Values. Does not exceed the authority of the Nursing Assistant Certification and follows Tomah Health/Hospice Touch policy and guidelines.
d. Follows safety guidelines as related to body mechanics, hazardous materials and standard and transmission-based infection control and isolation guidelines.
e. Displays behaviors by actions and verbalization that reflect Tomah Health Standards of Behavior. Maintains appropriate boundaries with patients and families and seeks direction when boundaries become blurred or questionable. Is open to change and a positive change agent. Takes ownership and responsibility for their actions, how they impact others and the provision of patient care, and respects the right of the entire team to have a welcoming, safe, and positive work environment.
5. Recognizes personal need for support and notifiea hospice Social Worker or Hospice Coordinator of needs. Demonstrates self-care behaviors.
6. Demonstrates proficiency in regard to the computer documentation of patient cares and any other related computerized patient information/documentation.
7. Performs all other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS FOR ALL SERENITY HOUSE STAFF
1. Prioritizes personal care and needs of 1 to 8 residents and families at Serenity House.
2. Plans and assists with household duties and chores and provides a safe environment. Uses House Duty and Safety Checklist as a guide and documents duties completed within the shift. Ensures a non-cluttered, safe environment of house and patient rooms. Does laundry as needed per directions. Makes out work orders as needed for maintenance and repair. Restocks used items. Participates in hand off report at the beginning and end of each shift.
3. Assists with dietary needs. Identifies patient dietary preferences within their ordered diet. Makes meals and snacks ensuring that food is cooked to proper temperature. Serves and assists with feeding as needed and plans for a pleasant atmosphere. Makes and offers snacks, coffee, etc. to visitors. Orders groceries. Dates food and checks and disposes of outdated items.
4. Promotes coping of patient, family and visitors. Aids interaction and enhanced quality of time spent with the patient by offering diversional activities, outdoor time, games, movies, etc. to patient and family.
5. Uses judgment and good decision-making skills to identify the priority of needs and duties. Plans the work schedule for day or night accordingly. Can change focus or plan quickly depending on needs. Can identify when, and does call hospice RN appropriately for assistance, questions or needs. Is a calm and comforting presence even when the work pace is increased or death is imminent.
6. Completes other duties as needed and assigned.

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR
1. WORK ETHICS STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to making the Tomah Health work environment better through: patient advocacy, continuing education, and valuation of each individual person.
2. COMMUNICATION STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to use open and honest communication with all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: basic customer courtesy (phone, written, face to face) and active listening.
3. TEAMWORK STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to be a proud, dependable Tomah Health TEAM member through: basic customer courtesy, patient advocacy, flexibility, and valuation of each individual person.
4. QUALITY STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to provide respectful, compassionate, quality care with integrity to all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: job excellence, patient advocacy, and self-dignity.
5. PROFESSIONALISM STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to professional conduct towards all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: collaboration, teamwork, appearance, environment, and valuation of each individual person.
6. ATTITUDE STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to maintain a positive, professional perspective towards all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: honest feedback, confidentiality, basic customer courtesy, and valuation of each individual person.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
1. High school diploma or equivalent required.
2. Graduate of an approved school of practical nursing.
or
3. Successful completion of Certified Nursing Assistant program

• 3a. IF CNA - Must have taken Medication Aide Course and hold current certification to pass medications

4. State Registry identification required
5. Current certification or eligibility to become BLS certified.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
2. Excellent human relation skills as demonstrated by the ability to interface positively with all customers and employees.
3. Must acquire the knowledge and maintain established competency levels to perform essential nursing practice.
4. Must have the ability to work with frequent interruptions, under stress and with minimal supervision.
5. Needs to possess a high level of intelligence, integrity, sense of responsibility and ability to comprehend and analyze details.
6. Must have proficient computer skills with the ability to operate within a Windows environment.
7. Ability to operate and handle many kinds of complex equipment.
8. Ability to demonstrate clinical competence and maintain current knowledge in caring for child through geriatric patients.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Must understand and accept the possibility of exposure to inside environmental conditions, such as infectious/communicable diseases, noise, blood and bloodborne diseases, chemicals and/or chemical fumes, odors, gases, dusts, and physical injury/verbal abuse from an out-of-control patient. Frequent exposure to distressed patients, families or visitors. Must be able to function effectively under stressful situations.