Loretta Fitzgerald
Staunton,VA
Summary
Compassionate Hospice Aide with extensive experience at Legacy Hospice, skilled in vital signs monitoring and emotional support. Recognized for enhancing patient comfort and dignity through personalized care and effective communication. Proven ability to build strong relationships with patients and families, ensuring a peaceful end-of-life experience while upholding confidentiality and respect.I have 37 years of CNA experience I love taking care of hospice patients by providing comfort care.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Hospice Aide
Legacy Hospice
Harrisonburg, VA
04.2015 - 12.2025
- Assisted patients with daily living activities to enhance comfort and dignity.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to nursing staff for timely interventions.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families, fostering compassionate care environments.
- Maintained cleanliness of patient areas, ensuring safety and compliance with infection control protocols.
- Documented patient care accurately in electronic health records for continuity of care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for patients.
- Educated families on caregiving techniques, promoting effective home healthcare practices.
- Participated in training sessions to improve skills and enhance service delivery quality.
- Developed strong therapeutic relationships with patients and their families based on trust, empathy, active listening skills, and open communication.
- Assisted patients with bathing, grooming, dressing, and oral hygiene care both in private residences and facilities.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate, individualized care and addressing specific needs.
- Protected privacy and delivered comfort to preserve dignity of dying patient and family members.
- Reduced patient anxiety and stress by offering a calm, reassuring presence during difficult emotional moments or periods of physical discomfort.
- Enabled family members'' involvement in the hospice experience through effective communication and emotional support.
- Served as an advocate for patients'' rights and interests to ensure that their wishes were respected during all stages of hospice care provision.
- Promoted a holistic approach to end-of-life care by incorporating various relaxation techniques such as music therapy or aromatherapy into daily routines.
- Improved patient satisfaction by assisting with personal hygiene tasks, ensuring cleanliness and dignity.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between different stages of hospice care by effectively coordinating with home health aides, nurses, social workers, physicians, and volunteers.
- Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
- Prevented bedsores and other potential complications by regularly repositioning immobile patients and maintaining proper body alignment.
- Positioned patients to provide comfort and promote better body alignment.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to develop personalized care plans tailored to each patient''s unique requirements.
- Assisted in the management of end-of-life symptoms through the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions such as massage, guided imagery, or relaxation exercises.
- Ensured continuity of care by accurately documenting patient progress, observations, interventions, and outcomes in medical records.
- Checked and recorded vital signs, noting any significant changes and assisted nurses with treatment.
- Maintained a safe and comfortable environment for patients through regular monitoring of vital signs and reporting changes to medical staff.
- Upheld ethical principles surrounding confidentiality and patient autonomy throughout all interactions with patients, families, colleagues, or other stakeholders involved in hospice care.
- Assisted patients in achieving optimal mobility by supporting them during transfers, ambulation, and positioning activities.
- Continuously pursued professional development opportunities to maintain current knowledge of trends and best practices within the field of palliative care nursing.
- Facilitated serene environment for hospice patients by organizing and maintaining clean and orderly living spaces.
- Contributed to culture of empathy and care, receiving commendation from families for dedication and kindness.
- Supported patients' personal care needs, promoting hygiene and comfort with respect and sensitivity.
- Streamlined coordination of patient care activities, working closely with hospice team members to meet complex needs.
- Enhanced patient care quality by participating in continuous education sessions on hospice care best practices.
- Assisted in creation of peaceful passing environment, implementing individualized end-of-life care plans.
- Provided emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families, contributing to peaceful end-of-life experience.
- Increased patient satisfaction with compassionate communication and attentive care during difficult times.
- Improved team communication with detailed handoff reports, ensuring continuity of care across shifts.
Education
High School Diploma - CNA
Riverheads High School
Greenville, VASkills
Bathing assistance
Vital signs monitoring
Grooming assistance
Dressing assistance
Compassionate care
Heavy lifting
Written and verbal communication
Catheter care
Relationship building
Personal hygiene assistance
Emotional support
End-of-life care
Feeding assistance
Confidentiality adherence
Family support
Certification
CNA license & CPR
Timeline
Hospice Aide
Legacy Hospice
04.2015 - 12.2025
High School Diploma - CNA
Riverheads High School