Home Health/Hospice Aide

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

The Aide Home Health and Hospice works as a paraprofessional employee who provides comprehensive personal care and assists with other health care needs for the patient under a written Plan of Care.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Gives or assists patient with bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, hair treatments, nails and skin care.
• Assists patient with elimination, utilizing a bedpan or urinal, commode or bathroom.
• Assists patient with eating and meal preparation including special diets prescribed for patient.
• Assists with positioning, transfers and ambulation, with or without assistive devices.
• Assists patient with prescribed range of motion and prescribed exercise which patient and aide have been taught by designated professional personnel.
• Assists patient with application of non-prescription topical ointments.
• Takes and records temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure.
• Performs routine catheter care and removal of catheter if instructed to do so by professional staff.
• Performs clean and simple dressing changes and decubitus care.
• Assists patient with ostomy (where function is normal and care is routine).  Includes emptying pouch, changing appliance and assisting with preparation of irrigation procedure.
• Charts tasks performed on designated records/reports. 
• Observes tracheostomy and reports unusual findings to staff nurse.
• Communicates with patient’s families and related persons, agency staff to achieve an effective exchange of verbal/nonverbal and written information.
• Observes and reports deviations from the usual physical and mental status of the patient and any unusual occurrence(s) to staff nurse within a timely manner.
• Provides holistic care to hospice patients.
• Acts as preceptor for new employees as part of orientation.
• Uses own transportation to provide care at patient’s residence: Must have and maintain valid PA or NJ Driver’s License; Must have and maintain a good driving record accepted by the Network insurance carrier; Must have and maintain motor vehicle insurance with the minimum requirements established by PA or NJ; Must obey and adhere to all motor vehicle regulations and laws while operating vehicle; Must perform routine maintenance on vehicle.

PHYSICIAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Must have the ability to sit for 2 hours per day, and up to 1 total consecutive hours.  Must be able to stand for 10 total hours per day and up to 8 total consecutive hours.  Must be able to walk 6 total hours per day and up to 10 total consecutive minutes.  Must have the ability to frequently use finger/hands for fingering and handling.  Must have the ability to use upper extremities for frequent pushing of objects up to 10 pounds and occasional pushing of objects up to 75 pounds.  Must have the ability to transport patients weighing up to 250 pounds via wheelchair, stretcher and/or bed.  Must have the ability for frequent stooping and bending.  Must have the ability for frequent reaching above the shoulder level.  Must have the ability for touching as it relates to feeling objects by touching with the skin, particularly that of fingertips.  Must be able to hear as it relates to normal conversation, high and low frequencies.  Must be able to see as it relates to general, near, far, color and peripheral vision. 

EDUCATION: 

High school diploma or GED required.  Successful completion of a training and competency evaluation program that meets the standards established by the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as agency performance standards, required. 

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Two years of HHA experience under qualified supervision in a Medicare Certified program required. Certified Nurse Aide/Personal Care Aide/Home Health Aide experience preferred.  Ability to communicate in the English language is required.

Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address.  Be sure to include employment history for the past seven (7) years, including your present employer.  Additionally, you are encouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications and licenses, if applicable.  It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application.  Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!!

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.