Home Health Aide - HHA

For over 45 years Pathways has been a Bay Area pioneer, leader, and innovator in Hospice, Home Health and Palliative Care. We provide care at home or in settings such as assisted living, a nursing home, or the hospital. We have offices in Sunnyvale, South San Francisco, and Oakland. Patients and their families know us for our personalized, high-quality care, delivered with empathy, kindness, and respect.

TITLE:  HHA - Hospice Aide/Home Health Aide
OFFICE LOCATION: Sunnyvale
PATIENT TERRITORY: San Jose - San Mateo
SCHEDULE: M-F (1 Weekend/Month)
HOURS: 8:30am-5pm

The posted compensation range of ($25.00 - $30.00/Hour + Health Insurance and Vacation Pay) is a reasonable estimate that extends from the lowest to the highest pay Pathways Home Health & Hospice in good faith believes it might pay for this particular job, based on the circumstances at the time of posting. Pathways Home Health & Hospice may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The HHA provides personal care, home hygiene services, and other supportive services to persons who are receiving Hospice care at home.  All such services will be provided in accordance with a comprehensive patient care plan and under the supervision of a registered nurse.  The Hospice Aide will communicate with the Case Manager to provide feedback regarding patient status and participate in the patient care planning process.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Provides in-home personal care and supportive services to Hospice patients. Personal care and supportive services include assisting a patient in and out of a shower, giving bed bath, sponge bath or shower, shampoo, shave, skin care, nail care, backrub, oral hygiene, passive range of motion, linen change - making an unoccupied bed and occupied bed; assisting with ambulation devices (cane, walker, wheelchair), transferring from bed to chair and from chair to bed, use assistive devices such as Hoyer lift; assisting a patient with toileting activities (use of commode, bedpan, urinal, toilet); emptying reservoirs such as Foley Catheter bags or colostomy bags; assisting with feeding patient; maintaining safe kitchen and bathroom; monitoring of vital signs and assist patient/family as specified by case manager or supervisor.
• Other supportive services include comfort measures and integrative therapies, such as aromatherapy and Comfort Touch©™. Comfort measures include providing companionship and conversation with patient and family members and activities such as reading to patient or sitting quietly with the patient, talking with the patient about patient’s life or hobbies, and patient projects, such as organizing pictures in a book.
• Under the direct supervision of each patient’s case manager, initiates the hospice aide care plan; provides feedback to case manager regarding changes in patient’s physical, social, or psychological condition; and makes changes in care as directed.
• Assists in training individuals or families in the care of terminally ill patients.
• Maintains the dignity of the dying patient and supports the patient’s and family’s unique spiritual and cultural beliefs.
• Performs other tasks as requested by the case manager to assist the patient in obtaining needed health services or follow-up care.
• Accesses electronic device for care plan prior to patient visit.
• Completes appropriate records following all patient visits.
• Synchronizes electronic device data after the patient visit.
• Completes any other documentation requested by the agency.
• Synchronizes electronic devices for schedule after 2:30 pm on the day prior to visits and again the morning of the visits.
• Notifies Home Health Aide Department daily of intended visit route and visit times. Communicates promptly and appropriately with patients and families regarding scheduled visits.
• Communicates daily with Home Health Aide Department regarding scheduling changes or issues.
• Meets productivity standards established by the Home Health Aide Program Director.
• Maintains the ethical and confidentiality standards in the administration of Home Health Aide services.
• When in a facility (RCFE or SNF), utilizes customer service practice and department procedures for working in and with facilities.
• Maintains communication with a case manager, patient, family and facility staff regarding all aspects of patient care.
• Demonstrates awareness of and adherence to the safety, infection control and other policies of the facility.
• Attends and actively participates in the hospice interdisciplinary group (IDG) meetings. When attendance is not possible, provides appropriate input on assigned patients.
• Attends educational in-service trainings, department meetings and other agency meetings as requested by the manager.
• Maintains and updates the level of knowledge and skills required to provide quality hospice aide care.
• Adheres to all agency policies and procedures; including updates, as communicated in written, spoken and electronic forms.
• Submits time log when due.
• Promotes a culture of service when representing Pathways by at all times treating internal and external contacts with respect, remaining professional, communicating clearly, preventing conflict, following through on commitments and actively listening. Positively promotes Pathways by offering assistance and information.
• Completes CPR certification every two years.
• Completes the competency test and skills checklist according to applicable laws and regulations.
• Demonstrates all skills of a Hospice Aide, including those skills required by the agency through competency testing.
• Mentors the clinical orientation of a new clinical provider per department orientation process, as assigned by the Home Health Aide Program Director or Home Health Aide Manager.
• Keeps the Home Health Aide Program Director and Home Health Aide Manager informed of new clinical provider’s progress and possible learning needs.
• Serves as a resource to the new clinical provider, after orientation is complete.
• Assists with the orientation of other providers, such as new nurses, therapists, social worker, spiritual care counselors and any office staff, such as schedulers and new managers. Participation in these orientations is usually accompanied by patient visits.
• Maintains a positive attitude and willingness to share expertise to new clinical provider or office staff.
• Acts a Mentor for Home Health Aide students’ practicum.
• Participates in quality improvement activities related to areas of practice as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current California Home Health Aide Certification
• Interest and ability to work with terminally ill patients in a variety of settings; recent experience providing personal care to patients/clients, preferred
• Effective communication skills with demonstrated ability to read, write and speak English
• Current California driver's license and automobile insurance with the minimum Bodily Injury Liability Insurance coverage per agency policy
• Current CPR certification-American Heart Association “BLS Health Care Provider” required upon renewal