JOB SUMMARY:
To provide nursing care to the terminally ill Hospice patient as needed. To provide assistance and understanding to the family in the home care situation and in time of bereavement. To work as a member of the Hospice team in providing Hospice care.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing and is currently licensed as a Registered Nurse to practice in the state.
2. Minimum two (2) years of experience as a Registered Nurse preferred. Active patient contact within the past three years preferred.
3. Ability to work independently, make accurate, and at times, quick judgments.
4. Ability to supervise others appropriately.
5. Ability to respond appropriately to crisis outside of a hospital setting.
6. Acceptance of and adaptability to different social, racial, cultural, and religious modes.
7. Completion of Hospice training program prior to providing care.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Comprehensive nursing assessments and needs of the Hospice patient.
2. Provides dietary education and utilizes Registered Dietician on an as-needed bases.
3. Provides Hospice nursing services, treatments, and preventive procedures as directed by physician.
4. Initiates and performs nursing procedures as appropriate/needed for the patient’s Hospice plan of care and/or safety.
5. Observes signs and symptoms and reports to the physician and IDG members any unexpected changes in the patient’s physical or emotional condition.
6. Initiates plan of care and appropriate supervision, and provides appropriate nursing follow up to all patients, instructs caregiver in managing patient needs, and submits appropriate documentation within 24-48 hours of visit.
7. Provides supervision of Hospice aides and LPN/LVN.
8. Supervises the implementation of the approved Plan of Care, modifies as needed, and contacts physician when appropriate.
9. Attends and participates in in-services, staff meetings, and patient care conferences (IDT).
10. Maintains records of patient care plans, medications, doctor orders, and other essential information about the patient.
11. Follows the policies and procedures of Hospice, observes confidentiality, and safeguards all patient-related information in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
12. Always communicates with the Supervisor if unable to meet a patient’s need or perform a procedure.
13. Participates in On-call system and is responsible for providing On-call coverage when unavailable for assigned duties.
14. Maintains knowledge of state and federal regulations.
15. Coordinate care working with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate care for patients and arranging services as indicated.
16. Coordinates the implementation of the Plan of Care for patients residing in nursing facilities, assisted livings, GIP/Respite Care.
17. Complies with agency Infection Control policies and protocols.
18. Assists with orientation, teaching, and training as requested from supervisor.
19. Includes family and patient regularly to discuss Plan of Care and monitor their needs to ensure needs are being met.
20. Demonstrates flexibility in scheduling and readily accepts new admissions and emergency assignments as requested.
21. Observes safety hazards in the patient’s and organization environments and takes appropriate steps to reduce or eliminate them.
22. Completes all documentation in an accurate, legible manner and in the timeframe required by standards and regulations