Rn: Hospice

Responsible for the direct and indirect nursing care of the patients in the home. In collaboration with the patient, family, and health care team (IDT), the registered nurse as case manager will develop, implement, and evaluate nursing care according to the following systems/functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1. Graduate of school of nursing.

2. Current unencumbered licensure with the WV Board of Registered Professional Nurses, or appropriate state board where services will be provided, as a registered professional nurse OR current multi-state licensure through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

3. Must possess valid WV or neighboring state driver’s license and must maintain WV or neighboring state minimum auto insurance

4. CPR certification within 30 days of hire date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
EXPERIENCE:
1. One year of Home Care Nursing and 2 years of prior nursing experience.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Performs the functions of the hospice aide.

2. Performs and monitors basic patient care according to policies and procedures.

3. Provides a safe and comfortable environment in the patient’s home.

4. Ensures privacy and demonstrates concern for the dignity of patient in performing all patient care.

5. Completes assignments in a timely manner.

6. Assumes on-call responsibility per policy and procedures.

7. Communicates patient care problems or potential problems to the Administrative Staff and/or other IDT members as identified/occur to assure continuity and coordination of care.

8. Provides care, based on physical, psychosocial, communication, safety, education level, and related criteria for the infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric patient per the established age-specific education/standard.

9. States and utilizes admission criteria per agency guidelines.

10. Formulates and establishes a plan of care with the IDT based on assessed findings and update under physician orders.

11. Completes and documents full system assessment, including assessment of level of physical and psychosocial aspects and identifies age-specific criteria upon admission and each visit thereafter.

12. Understands pathophysiologic process by taking appropriate nursing action in accordance with changes in patient condition.

13. Reports significant observed changes in patient condition to Administrative Staff and/or physician.

14. Documents patient status and care or services furnished in appropriate areas defined by the documentation policy and procedure.

15. Documents hospice aide supervisory visits as per standard.

16. Performs CPR when directed by patient’s appropriate representative’s wishes.

17. Displays safe, efficient, and prudent use and maintenance of D.M.E. and medical supplies and adaptive equipment. Notify admin/doctor if safely issues R/T DME in home.

18. Demonstrates bag technique per policy and procedure.

20. Utilizes supplies effectively and to ensure cost containment.

21. Maintains integrity of the IV site while performing patient care.

22. Performs treatments/procedures according to specific standards (e.g., vital signs, patient weights, specimen collection, ostomy care [ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy/tracheotomy], catheterization [urethral, suprapubic], wound care, dressing changes, suctioning [oral, pharyngeal/nasal/trach], gastric tube [feedings and maintenance].

23. Performs and monitors patient teaching according to the policy and procedures.

24. Coordinates care so that medications are administered as ordered by a physician and in compliance with the medication administration.

25. Coordinates the care team in order to facilitate a change in the level of care in compliance with the change in level of care standard.

26. Identifies the stages of death and dying.

27. Completes IDT forms and Medicare LMRPs per regulations. Completes medical updates as per Medicare guidelines. Completes patient discharge summary upon termination of services.

28. EVENING & WEEKEND POSITIONS: Audit Charts (Inactive/Active). Follow-up phone call from admissions to assess needs and level of pain or other patients as needed. Admissions as needed. Assist with patient overflow from the previous shifts/visits. Attends IDT meetings and month staff meeting regularly or reviews minutes.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1.Frequent walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping,