Job Type: Ministerial

Reports to: Caregiver Manager

Position Description

Escape the healthcare grind and get back to what you really love: patient care! Porta Caeli is Latin for gate of heaven and our mission is to extend Christ’s love to those in need through compassionate end-of-life care, when dying at home is not an option. Learn more at portacaeli.org.

The hospice caregiver serves a supportive role, acting as an advocate for the guest/family/caregiver. The position of hospice caregiver provides personal care, delivery of medication in accordance with the hospice plan of care along with emotional and spiritual care for the guest and their circle. This is done while following all organizational and program policies and procedures and maintaining the values of Catholic Social Teachings.

Ministerial

• As a ministerial representative of CCEOK, it is expected that both professional and social behavior be aligned with the ethical and moral standards of the Catholic Church
• Pray daily for the needs of the poor; opportunities include personal prayer, daily Mass, and/or adoration
• Willingness to learn how to articulate Catholic teaching with a commitment to its application in the job function
• Execute duties in a Christ-like manner with love and compassion following the values and principles of the program, Catholic Charities and Catholic Social Teaching

Key Tasks

• Pray daily for the needs of the poor, guests, families, staff and volunteers; opportunities include personal prayer, daily Mass, and/or adoration
• Provide quality end-of-life (EOL) care and support to the guest/family/caregiver as directed by the Porta Caeli House in compliance with the hospice agency’s plan of care, the guest’s preferences, and the policies of Porta Caeli House (PCH). Help the guest/family/caregivers gain the knowledge they need in preparation for the guest’s worsening condition and eventual death
• Provide routine personal care as requested by guest/family/caregiver in accordance with the mission of PCH and the hospice plan of care. Responsible for meeting guest needs requires frequent bending, stooping, lifting, pulling and pushing to assist guests with activities of daily living. Such activities include repositioning in bed, turning, transferring to chair or commode, assisting in ambulation with or without an additional person or assistive device, providing incontinence, elimination, and hygiene care, assistance with feeding and/or drinking and medication administration, to consistently work towards assuring the guests’ comfort
• Admission criteria allows guests to weight up to 250 lbs. Most guests are confined to their beds and are unable to assist Caregivers when they are repositioned, have brief or linen changes, or moved in any way. Caregivers will have assistance of teammates or hospice staff, but must be able to effectively assist with moving/transferring guests frequently, using good body mechanics and techniques without lift devices
• Act as a liaison to the hospice agency and advocate for the hospice patients admitted to PCH; implementing the plan of care as prescribed by the hospice agency: evaluating the guest throughout the shift and addressing any needs in a timely manner. Work collaboratively with hospice physicians, nurses, social worker, chaplains and other professionals to provide the highest quality EOL care to guests
• Anticipate the guests’ needs including pain and symptom management, as well as psychosocial and spiritual concerns, while reporting any variances or needs to the hospice agency
• Administer and account for all narcotic medications
• Complete accurate and timely documentation according to the policies of PCH.
• Provide knowledge and guidance for the volunteers as directed by PCH administration
• Maintains cleanliness and organization of household. This includes tasks of frequent disinfection, cleaning, dusting, moving furniture, laundering, washing and drying, meal preparation and storage, disposal of waste and recycling, and printing and copying of needed documents
• Notify the Clinical Manager or On-Call Administration of all guest concerns, household issues, or changes in staffing assignments
• Perform other relevant duties as requested/ required

Key Skills and Attributes

• Strong commitment to mission of Porta Caeli House and Catholic Charities
• Willingness to learn how to articulate Catholic teaching with a commitment to its application in the job function
• Experience in end-of-life care, loss and grieving. Able to cope with family emotional stress
• Current Food Handlers Permit
• Is flexible and cooperative in fulfilling role obligations, taking personal responsibility for role within organization and its affect on success of the program. Expected to consistently provide input, feedback, and innovative ideas to continually improve practices
• Ability to initiate and collaborate work activities alongside team members; frequently adjusting priorities, with excellent observation and communication skills
• Possesses and maintains good physical stamina and mental health. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, lift, push, pull, stoop, kneel, reach high areas, and/or crouch
• Will be exposed to blood, body tissues and fluids, airborne contaminants, as well as other hazardous waste materials