Hospice Aide Training

Hospice aides provide personal care to the dying under the supervision of a registered nurse. Often, they care for patients in the patient's own home, and because they often spend more time with the patient than anyone else and can express the wishes of the patient, they contribute a great deal to the patient's care near the end of life.

Qualifications

• Hospice aides must successfully complete either a training program that includes classroom and practical training under the direction of a registered nurse, for a total of at least 75 hours, or a competency evaluation overseen by a registered nurse. The evaluation encompasses bed, sponge, tub and shower baths; nail and skin care; oral hygiene; toileting care; safe transfer techniques; range of motion and positioning, and adequate nutrition and fluid intake.

In-Service Training

• A hospice aide must have at least 12 hours of in-service training during each 12-month period. The hospice must keep documentation of the aide's training.

Supervision

• When a patient receives care at home, a registered nurse must make an on-site visit once a year to assess the work of the aide and oversee any changes in the patient's condition, infection control procedures, and help the aide with interpersonal relationships with the family.