What are the responsibilities and job description for the Hospice Caregiver needed position at Right at Home Westchester?
We are searching for an experienced hospice aide to provide compassionate care to the elderly and to terminally ill patients. Your tasks will include listening to and conversing with the patient, helping them with grooming, and providing regular, personal bedside care to ensure that their quality of life is as comfortable as possible.
To be successful as a hospice aide, you should have a caring and empathetic nature, experience working with the elderly. An excellent hospice aide must be comfortable dealing with and discussing death, bereavement, and end-of-life issues with the patient as well as family members.
Hospice Aide Responsibilities:
- Attending to the patient's personal hygiene including bathing, oral care, and hair grooming.
- Helping the patient to get dressed and undressed.
- Feeding the patient, if necessary, and ensuring that they drink enough to prevent dehydration.
- Changing the bed linen regularly to ensure that hygiene standards are maintained.
- Spending time talking to or reading to the patient during bedside visits.
- Ensuring that in the final stages of life, the patient feels comfortable and free from pain and they do not feel afraid to die.
- Communicating with the patient’s partner, family, and friends in a compassionate and considerate manner about issues pertaining to death.
Hospice Aid Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED.
- A Home Health Aide Certificate or PCA Certificate and a minimum of 2 years experience as a hospice aide.
- The ability to measure vital signs and keep an accurate record of these.
- Communicating changes in the patient's symptoms to the medical team.
- Up-to-date knowledge of infection control and hygiene procedures.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- A valid driver’s license to travel to clinics, nursing homes, or to the private home of the patient.
- Willingness to work flexible hours.
- A caring and compassionate heart, patience, and a respectful nature.