What Is a Personal Care Specialist?
Our personal care specialists support our mission to celebrate the lives of those we have the privilege of serving by providing superior care and superior services to each patient and family we are honored and privileged to serve. They reflect our values of servant leadership, kindness, honesty and compassion.
Serving Others With a Hospice Heart
As servant leaders, they place the mission of Ohio’s Hospice before themselves and seek to serve others first. Simply put, they have a hospice heart.
“Our personal care specialists are committed to making a difference in the lives of our patients and families each and every day,” said Brandi Barlow, vice president of administration at Ohio’s Hospice. “We appreciate our personal care specialists for their passion in taking care of our patients.”
Going Above and Beyond
Although they are state tested nursing assistants (STNAs), they go above and beyond that role in their commitment to the mission of Ohio’s Hospice. They provide quality nursing assistance to patients according to the plan of care working under the direction of a registered nurse (RN). They work days, evenings, weekends and holidays. They provide or assist with personal care, including but not limited to bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, hair care, meal preparation, feeding, transfers and exercises.
Our personal care specialists provide the essential daily, hands-on care in homes, nursing homes and inpatient settings. As professionals, the personal care specialists are instrumental in promoting and safeguarding the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being of the patients and their families. They participate as members of the care team and communicate any patient changes or updates to ensure proper response time and quality patient care.
Serving in Various Ways
Ohio’s Hospice also has several personal care specialists who serve the organization in non-clinical ways, including scheduling and pharmacy services. Others serve as buyers, Hospice House coordinators and excellence educators.
“Whether they serve in a clinical or non-clinical role, our personal care specialists are indeed specialists,” Barlow said. “Their contributions form the foundation of quality care throughout Ohio’s Hospice.”
