CNA's in a hospice setting

Katillac, RN · Jul 4, 2005

What do the CNA's do at your facility? (that is IF they hire CNA's).
Our local hospice has job openings for CNA's and I'm really hoping to get a job there. I'm assuming my responsibilities will be making sure the patient is kept clean and dry, helping with bed making/changing, helping with feedings (IF they aren't on a feeding tube), etc.
I really, really, really want this job. I want to work somewhere where I feel like I will make a difference. Hospice seems like the place.

Our aides are responsible for providing, along with the nurse with whom they work, for the wellbeing of our residents. They provide most of the morning ADLs and HS care. They give bed baths, showers, whirlpool baths, shaves and shampoos. They ambulate, toilet, transfer, turn and position and perform ROM to our residents. They provide 1:1 focus when the need arises. They bring beverages, ice chips and snacks. They read mail, adjust TVs, stereos, fans, lights, and doors per resident preference.

Our number one priority is resident safety. Number two is resident comfort. After those priorities are addressed, though, our staff is also responsible for much more. Our aides (and there is one on per shift along with a nurse for six residents) seem to never stop on some shifts. They work hard. Other times, things are quieter.

We are our own dietary, so the aides cook meals, prepare and deliver trays, assist with feeding, collect trays, and do dishes. They also do the grocery inventory.

We are our own housekeeping, so the aides sweep, mop, vacuum, dust, and clean the bathrooms. They do the top to bottom cleaning of the rooms in between residents, including shampooing the carpets and a complete antimicrobial wipe of all the hard surfaces.

We are our own laundry service, so the aides do the collecting of the dirty linens and personal laundry and then the presoaking/spotting, washing, drying, folding and putting away of all the laundry.

We are our own supply clerks, so the aides restock all of our supplies (except the locked stuff) from our central storage area, including maintenance products and paper supplies.

But some of the most important work our aides do is simply being with our residents. They listen to stories. They go through photograph albums with our residents. They bird and deer and duck and goose and children watch with the residents. They do manicures and massage, and braid hair and read to our residents. They bring them outside to smoke or to enjoy the garden. They find the perfect weight blanket, the gown that fits just right, and the socks that don't leave a mark on the legs.

And sometimes they come and tell me, "You know, something isn't right with Mr. Smith today. I can't put my finger on it, but he is different." I can't tell you how many times I have blessed them for those or similar words. They are compassionate, dedicated, observant and competent team members, and an extra pair of eyes and hands that I can't do my job without. I am VERY grateful for them.

Good luck with your job search, and your work in hospice. It's not for everyone. But if you and hospice are a fit, it can be incredibly rewarding.

Kat

rosemadder · Jul 6, 2005

In our facility our CNA's do everything a CNA does at the hospital plus more. Along with vitals, caths, bed changes, bathroom assists, baths, feedings, etc. they also do sterile dressing changings, go pick up three meals a day at the local hospital, clean the rooms when the housekeepers are gone for the day and the list goes on and on. We have six patients with one nurse and one CNA...sometimes we will have a prn CNA also for part of the day and volunteers also come and pitch in. It is a lot of work but very rewarding! The CNA I worked with today wants to get off weekends but has not been given that option...I asked her if she had ever looked for another job so she could get off of weekends and she said she couldn't leave there--she loves it too much! She is such an asset to us and the patients.