Job Description of a Hospice CNA
Hospice is a form of medical care in which the focus is on palliative, or comfort care for people who are terminally ill. Hospice care is typically provided for a patient in her own home with the assistance of family members, but can also be administered in a hospice facility. A hospice CNA, or certified nursing assistant, provides a variety of services to hospice patients and their families, primarily in conjunction with or under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.
A CNA designation can be achieved through a post-secondary educational institution, such as a community college or vocational training education facility. The certification typically takes less than a year to complete. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, in May, 2010, the average annual salary for a CNA was $24,000.
A hospice CNA assists with various personal care issues including changing bedding, changing clothing, bathing hospice patients and helping with hygienic routines such as brushing teeth, washing hair and keeping wounds and dressings cleaned. Hospice patients undergoing chemotherapy often have issues related to mouth and dental care which a CNA attends to as well. A CNA may assist a patient’s family members in caring for their terminally ill relative by instructing them on how to go about performing basic health-care routines.
Nutrition and Supplements
A CNA often oversees the hospice patient's nutritional needs, ensuring the patient gets appropriate and foods and liquids. Various types of medications and medical treatments often make it difficult for hospice patients to eat, and they often have limited appetites. A CNA encourages nutritional intake by offering small, frequent meals and takes measures to ensure the patient is adequately hydrated at all times.
Although a CNA is not licensed to provide injected medications, she is often responsible for supervising when a patient takes prescription medicines. She may also start IV fluids when necessary and perform responsibilities such as maintaining eating and breathing tubes and ensuring port lines are clean and sterile. A CNA is also a patient advocate, educating guests and visitors about best practices for interacting with a hospice patient who may be prone to infection or become easily tired.
In a hospice setting, family members are often caretakers, and a CNA can provide a variety of respite care services to help the family cope with both emotional and physical care-giving needs. A CNA may help with meal preparation, keeping the patient's room clean and sterile and assisting with physical needs such as moving a patient from a bed to a wheelchair. The CNA also consults on a regular basis with her supervising registered nurse in terms of keeping hospice team members apprised of a patient's progression and the family’s needs.
Lisa McQuerrey has been a business writer since 1987. In 1994, she launched a full-service marketing and communications firm. McQuerrey's work has garnered awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Associated Press. She is also the author of several nonfiction trade publications, and, in 2012, had her first young-adult novel published by Glass Page Books.