Home Health Aide (Hospice)

Job Description:

SIGN-ON BONUS: $1,000.00

Requirements:

Job Description and Responsibilities

1) Follows a plan of care established by a primary nurse. 

2) Reports changes in patient’s condition to the Case Manager. 

3) Maintains safe conditions in the Residence and reports any unsafe conditions to the Case Manager  

4) Bathes patient(s) and provides personal hygiene care. 

5) Makes bed and performs other tasks to provide a suitable environment for patients.  

6) Performs light housekeeping tasks essential for a safe/healthy environment. 

7) Attends required in-service programs. 

8) Attends team planning meetings as appropriate.

9) Prepares meals and feeds patients when necessary.

10) Helps patients in performing exercises prescribed by professional personnel. ROM.

11) HHA has a basic understanding and commitment to the hospice concept of care. (required)  

12) Able to work as a team member and take supervision effectively. (required)  

13) Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality concerning patient and family information. (required)  

14) Able to relate well to terminally ill patients and their families. (required)  

15) Able to work with diverse groups of people. (required)  

16) Has a valid CA driver’s license, maintains own insurance and is able to provide own transportation to travel to the homes of patients. (for Home care HHA) (required)  

17) Has a Home Health Aide Certificate in CA. (required for home care)  

18) Has experience in hospice. (desirable)

19) Bilingual in Spanish, Hmong and/or Punjabi is a plus.

Experience and Desirable Traits

1) Medical Terminology Required.

2) A keen understanding of normal aging and health care for older adults.

3) Competency in client needs evaluation, meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of client and employee satisfaction.

4) Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

5) Prior customer service and/or sales experience is a plus.

6) Strong commitment to providing the highest quality care and customer service.

7) Excellent communication and listening skills, particularly via the phone.

8) Proven track record of managing processes with strong attention to detail.

9) Sensitivity to client needs with the ability to express patience and compassion in dealing with them.

10) Positive,  “can-do” attitude.

11) Confidence and creative problem-solving skills.

12) Flexibility and availability for schedules to include hours outside of standard work week, possible weekend hours. 

13) Medical knowledge is preferred.

Division: Hospice
Location: Ridgecrest

Chaplain (Part-Time)

Requirements:

 About the Position

The Hospice Chaplain is responsible for the provision of spiritual care services to patients and families/caregivers of Compassionate Care Hospice Central CA, either directly or through coordination of care with other spiritual counselors.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities 

1) Assures spiritual assessment of patients and families/caregivers in the hospice program and appropriate services are rendered in a timely manner.

2) Facilitates the development of the individualized the plan of care by participating in the comprehensive assessment to meet identified spiritual needs.

3) Provides direct spiritual care to patients and families/caregivers.

4) Serves as liaison and support to community chaplains and spiritual counselors.

5) Maintains records of spiritual care services utilization and related activities for quality assurance, program development, and policies and procedures review and revision.

6) Documents direct services and ongoing communication with community chaplains and spiritual counselors.

7) Attends patient care conference and interdisciplinary group meetings as a member of the interdisciplinary group.

8) Provides consultation, education, and support to the interdisciplinary group on spiritual care.

9) Recruits community chaplains, spiritual counselors, and spiritual care volunteers adequate to meet patient and family/caregiver needs by developing community contacts and offering education through congregations about hospice care.

10) Provides for funeral or memorial services for patients as requested.

11) Plans periodic memorial services to meet the needs of personnel, volunteers, and community clergy/spiritual counselors working with the hospice team.

12) Assists in supervision of spiritual care volunteers when assigned to patients/families/caregivers.

13) Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.

14) Accepts and performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Position Qualifications

1) Graduate of accredited seminary or school of theology (BD, MDiv or equivalent theological degree). Experience working with death and dying, individuals/family/caregiver.

2) Ability to work as member of interdisciplinary group.

3) Comfortable in an interfaith setting.

4) Ability to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values.

5) Ability to network with community clergy and congregations.

6) Knowledge of and commitment to hospice philosophy of care.

7) If making home visits, must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.

8) Hospice/experience preferred.

Division: Hospice
Location: Ridgecrest

Home Health Aide (HHA) Home Health

Requirements:

Certified Home Health Aide

1) Assisting in ambulation and exercise according to the plan of care.

2) Performing range of motion and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service as ordered (with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency).

3) Assisting patients in the self-administration of medication.

4) Doing the patient’s laundry, as appropriate.

5) Meeting safety needs of patients and using equipment safely and properly (foot stools,
side rails, etc.).

6) Reporting on the patient’s condition and significant changes to the assigned nurse.

7) Adhering to the Organization’s documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

1) Providing personal care including:

2) Baths

3) Back rubs

4) Oral hygiene

5) Shampoos 

6) Changing bed linen

7) Assisting patients with dressing and undressing

8) Skin care to prevent breakdown

9) Assisting the patient with toileting activities

10) Keeping patient’s living area clean and orderly, as appropriate

11) Planning and preparing nutritious meals.

12) Assisting in feeding the patient, if necessary.

13) Taking and recording oral, rectal and axillary temperatures, pulse, respiration and blood pressure when ordered (with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency).

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

1) Meets the training requirements in accordance with state and federal laws.

2) At least 18 years of age.

3) Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care given.

4) Self-directing with the ability to work with little direct supervision.

5) Empathy for the needs of the ill, injured, frail and the impaired.

6) Possess and maintains current CPR certification.

7) Demonstrates tact, patience and good personal hygiene.

8) Licensed driver with automobile that is insured in accordance with Organization requirements and is in good working order.

Division: Home Health
Location: Bakersfield, Coarsegold, Mariposa, Oakhurst, Ridgecrest

Speech Therapist (ST)

Requirements:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Conducts appropriate evaluations, assesses home environment (as appropriate), identifies equipment needs relative to speech/language function.

2) Identifies functional speech deficits and establishes a plan of care to improve the patient’s function.

3) Administers speech therapy program utilizing specialized therapeutic techniques and/or equipment as appropriate.

4) Recommends communication devices/aids as indicated.

5) Confers with referring physicians and other organization personnel to ensure coordinated and comprehensive care contributes to the patient’s plan of care.

6) Participates in regularly scheduled case conferences to coordinate care. Provides in-services when indicated.

7) Complete and submit all documentation within the required timeline.

8) Maintains all required licenses and certifications to practice in California.

9) Identifies patient and family/caregiver needs for other services and refers as appropriate.

10) Instructs patient, family/caregiver and other Organization health care personnel in the patient’s treatment plan.

11) May supervise home health aide in procedures directly related to the speech-language therapy plan of care.

12) Performs other duties, as required, to facilitate the delivery of speech-language pathology services.

MUST possess a master’s or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology (SLP), and who meets either of the following requirements:

Is licensed as a speech-language pathologist in the state of California; OR be in the process of obtaining a license in the state of California (license would have to be issued prior to beginning patient care):

1) A minimum of one (1) year’s clinical experience in Speech-Language Pathology is preferred; however, those in the process of completing their RPE/CFY are welcome to apply.

2) Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organizational skills.

3) Possesses and maintains current CPR certification.

4) Licensed driver with automobile that is in good working order and insured in accordance with the organization’s requirements.

Division: Home Health
Location: Ridgecrest, Stanislaus County

Occupational Therapist (OT)

Requirements:

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The occupational therapist contracted through the Organization is responsible for the implementation of standards of care for occupational therapy services and for adherence to all conditions outlined in the Service Agreement. Any direct patient care provided will be performed as defined by the state Occupational Therapy Practice Act.

 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Evaluates the patient’s functional status (muscle function, endurance, visual coordination, written and verbal communication skills, self-care ability, work capacity, etc.). Evaluates home environment for hazards or barriers to more independent living. Identifies equipment needs. Participates in the development of the total plan of care.

2) For patients who plan to return to work, the occupational therapist may perform work capacity evaluation and may refer to specialized vocational training in accordance with Organization policy.

3) Develops a treatment program and establishes goals for improved function. Communicates plan of care to referring physicians and other Organization professionals.

4) May teach new skills or re- train patients in once familiar daily activities that have been lost due to illness or injury, in accordance with Organization policy.

5) May fabricate splints and instruct patients in the use of various types of adaptive equipment to improve function.

6) May train patients in the use of prosthetic and/or orthotic devices.

7) Maintains appropriate clinical records, clinical notes, and reports to the physician any changes in the patient’s condition. Submits these records in accordance with Organization policy.

8) Maintains contact/communication with other personnel involved in the patient’s care to promote coordinated, efficient care.

9) Amends and contributes to in-services, case conferences, and other meetings as required by Organization policy to ensure coordinated and comprehensive plans of care for the patients of the Organization.

10) Identifies patient and family/caregiver needs for other home health services and refers as appropriate.

11) Instructs the patient’s family/caregiver and other Organization health care personnel in the patient’s treatment regime when indicated and appropriate.

12) Supervises certified occupational therapy assistants according to organization policy and state regulations.

13) When therapy is the only skilled service, instructs, supervises and evaluates home health aide care every two (2) weeks.

14) Participates in discharge planning for patients.

(The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major dues and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description)

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

1) Graduate of an occupational therapy curriculum accredited jointly by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association.

2) Registered with the National Registration Examination of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

3) Two years of clinical experience as an occupational therapist.

4) Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.

5) Possess and maintain current CPR Certification.

6) Licensed driver with automobile that is in good working order and insured in accordance with the organization requirements.

Division: Home Health
Location: Fresno, Merced, Modesto, Mojave, Porterville, Ridgecrest

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Requirements:

Job Description

A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is responsible for providing care/services to assigned patients under the supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT) and in accordance with the patient’s plan of care.

Qualifications

1) Active PTA license is REQUIRED (or eligibility for licensure) in the state of practice.\

2) Must meet one of the following educational requirements:

» Graduate of a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA); or
» If educated outside the United States or through U.S. military training, must have education deemed substantially equivalent to U.S. entry-level PTA education by a credentials evaluation organization approved by APTA or recognized under 8 CFR 212.15(e).

3) Must have passed the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.

Training

1) At least one year of healthcare experience preferred.

2) Home health care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

1) Provides therapy services and treatments to patients according to the patient’s plan of care.

2) Prepares clinical and progress notes.

3) Provides education to patients and family regarding a home exercise program.

4) Observes, records, and reports the patient’s response to treatment, and reports any changes in the patient’s condition to the PT.

5) Provides care/services to patients to relieve pain, develop and restore function, and maintain maximum performance by using appropriate treatments, procedures, and modalities according to the plan of care.

6) Physical therapy services may include:

»    Therapeutic exercises and muscle strengthening.

»    Gait training including patient instruction on use of assistive devices.

»    Range of motion.

»    Transfer training using appropriate equipment and body mechanics.

»    Muscle re-education.

»    Prosthetic training and stump conditioning.

7) Demonstrates competency in providing care/services and provides care/services in accordance with the plan of care.

8) Maintains accurate and timely documentation of care/services provided.

9) Reports any changes in the patient’s condition or plan of care to the PT.

10) Communicates with other team members, as appropriate, regarding the patient’s plan of care, and updates team members when there are changes.

11) Attends and participates in staff meetings, case conferences, educational in-services, and committee meetings, as appropriate.

12) Reports incidents and grievances/complaints (patients and/or personnel) to the Clinical Manager.

13) Provides education and information to the patient and/or family members as appropriate to their plan of care.

14) Reports the patient’s progress and effectiveness in meeting goals to the PT.

15) Participates in the patient’s discharge planning.

16) Participates in the agency’s Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program, as appropriate.

17) Adheres to the agency’s policies and procedures.

18) Maintains confidentiality of all aspects of job performance.

19) Practices proper infection control and utilizes PPE as indicated.

20) Only performs treatments or special procedures as authorized by the agency and deemed competent to perform by the PT.

21) Complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations in performance of job functions.

22) Performs other related functions as directed.

Physical Demands

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions in this job description.

1) The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit, as well as talk and hear.

2) The employee is required to use hands to operate vehicles and office equipment.

3) The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

4) Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Division: Home Health
Location: Bakersfield, Boron, California City, Delano, Mariposa, Mojave, Oakhurst, Porterville, Prather, Reedley, Ridgecrest, Rosamond, Selma/Fowler, Tollhouse

Physical Therapists (PT)

Requirements:

Position Qualifications

1) Degree from a master’s or doctoral program in physical therapy from an accredited organization

2) Licensed to practice as a Physical Therapist in California

3) Minimum of one year of experience as a Physical Therapist; community/home health experience preferred

4) Strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills

5) Current CPR certification

6) Licensed driver with a reliable, insured vehicle in accordance with organizational requirements

Essential Job Functions / Responsibilities

Provides physical therapy services to patients according to a physician’s written plan of care and as defined in the state Physical Therapy Practice Act. Responsibilities may include:

1) Assessing and evaluating therapeutic, rehabilitative, and functional status, including home environment

2) Assessing muscle strength, mobility, gait, range of motion, and potential for rehabilitation

3) Directing and implementing physical therapy treatments

4) Instructing patients and families/caregivers in the use and care of therapeutic appliances

5) Determining priority needs for physical therapy

6) Reporting patient reactions to treatment or changes in condition to the physician

7) Initiating physical therapy programs and instructing other personnel or family/caregivers as needed

8) Training patients in the use of prosthetic devices

9) Identifying patient and caregiver needs for other home health services and making referrals as appropriate

10) Preparing and submitting clinical and progress summaries based on goal attainment

11) Participating in patient discharge planning

12) Providing physical therapy consultation to families/caregivers when indicated

13) Providing in-service education programs for nursing personnel as needed

14) Participating in peer consultation

15) Supervising physical therapy assistants according to organizational policy and state regulations

16) Instructing, supervising, and evaluating home health aide care every two weeks when therapy is the only skilled service

Division: Home Health
Location: Bakersfield, Boron, California City, Lake Isabella, Mariposa, Modesto, Mojave, Oakhurst, Prather, Ridgecrest, Rosamond, San Joaquin County, Tollhouse

Registered Nurses (RN)

Requirements:

Patient Care

1) Completes an initial, comprehensive and ongoing comprehensive assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).

2) Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of the nursing process and as defined in the state Nurse Practice Act.

3) Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by:

1. Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary
2. Writing and initiating plan of care
3. Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs

4) Initiates the plan of care and makes necessary revisions as patient status and needs change.

5) Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.

6) Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and the family in the planning process. 

7) Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care.

8) Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.

9) Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan.

10) Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care.

11) Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Supervisor and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.

Communication

1) Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.

2) Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required.

3) Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.

4) Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provides medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers. Works in concert with the interdisciplinary group.

5) Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.

6) Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.

7) Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice interdisciplinary group to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.

8) Attends interdisciplinary group meetings.

Additional Duties

1) Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy.

2) Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.

3) Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.

4) Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-service classes.

5) Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.

6) Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.

Qualifications

1) Graduate of a National League of Nursing accredited school of nursing.

2) Current license in California and current CPR certification.

3) Registered nurses shall have a minimum of (a) one (1) year of experience as a professional nurse within the last three (3) years OR (b) have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing and a current RN license. Minimum of two years’ experience, at least one of which is in the area of public health, home care, or hospice nursing is preferred.

4) Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.

5) Management experience not required. Responsible for supervising hospice aides.

6) Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision.

7) Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, basic math skills; nursing skills per competency checklist.

8) Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift, position and/or transfer patients. Able to lift supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping bending, kneeling and/or crouching. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills.

Division: Home Health
Location: Auberry, Bakersfield, California City, Fresno, Friant, Kings County, Lancaster, Mariposa, Merced, Oakhurst, Porterville, Prather, Ridgecrest, Stockton, Tehachapi