Description

$5,000 sign on incentive with Service Agreement for full-time employment - $2,500 paid after 90 days of employment in three monthly installments and $2,500 paid at the completion of the first year as a second year incentive in three monthly installments.

POSITION TITLE: Licensed Practical Nurse Continuous Care REV. DATE: 1/11/2024

REPORTS TO: Alabama Home Care Director

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

SCHEDULE: Full Time

Essential Functions

Provide individualized nursing care to patients, under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, to maximize health status and minimize pain and symptoms associated with life-limiting illnesses.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct

None

Indirect

None.

Challenges in Position

Deliver nursing care in varied home settings. Work irregular work schedule, including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays with minimal notification. Frequently deals with different emotions expressed by families or caregivers related to impending death or death of their loved one. Work frequently with actively dying patients. Frequently engaged in difficult conversation related to the dying process. Frequently exposed to death.

Decision Making Latitude

Individual Decision Making Parameters

Acts on physician’s orders within the scope and professional practice standards following the plan of care.

In Collaboration with Management

Patient care and scheduling decisions.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with professionalism and mutual respect for all. The requirements in this job description are representative of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

One year certificate from college or technical school required

One year recent experience work experience as an LPN required

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, Vaccines

Active Practical Nurse license in Georgia and Alabama required

Current CPR Certification required

IV Therapy Certification preferred

Valid driver’s license and auto insurance coverage per policy requirement

Reliable transportation required

Valid COVID-19 vaccine required as required by policy

Influenza vaccine during influenza season required (November March)

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

Equipment and Machines Used

Cellphone Blood glucose monitor Thermometer

Blood pressure cuff Stethoscope Pulse oximeter

EMR System Timekeeping System Travel Mapping Tools

iPad/laptop Secure Staff Communication System

All other routine office and/or company equipment.

Position Requirements (not all-inclusive)

Articulates the hospice plan of care to patients, caregivers, families, and colleagues.

Utilize basic physical and psychosocial observation and data collection skills.

Practice universal precautions on all contacts with patient, family, or other health care providers.

Demonstrate safe and effective use of various DME and other medical devices.

Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to provide patient/family teaching and direct care.

Demonstrate proficiency in medication administration, including PO, IM, SQ, SL, PR, PV, IV, and enteral tube.

Demonstrate proficiency in the handling and disposal of sharps.

Implement nursing interventions to maximize health status and minimize pain and other symptoms associated with life-limiting illnesses. Delivers care within the scope of nursing practice and in accordance with accepted standards of practice.

Perform treatments such as tracheostomy, wound, catheter, and colostomy care. Perform gastroenterologic and ostomy care. Perform intravenous therapy procedures within the scope of LPN practice such as maintenance of central venous lines, limited to monitoring of the flow rate, care, and dressing changes, the performance of Heparin lock flushes, and venipunctures for lab work.

Perform complete physical assessment of patient every visit and documents findings.

Provide emotional support to patients and families in a manner that fosters independence and affirms existing and new strengths. Acts as patient advocate.

Make entries of all observations, clinical findings, treatments, and medications when on duty. Entries should be documented every hour.

Report changes in patient condition, need for replenishing supplies, non-effective results of medications or treatments, or notification of death of patient promptly to the primary nurse or the on-call nurse and documents time and to whom the report was made.

Accurately complete progress notes, forms, charts and mileage as designated by per policy and submit all required documentation electronically on the day care is provided.

Comply with all policies and procedures.

Respect the autonomy and right to confidentiality and privacy of all patients/families while remaining compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.

Take all reasonable precautions to maintain privacy and non-disclosure of any confidential information about patients, other staff members, and the general operations of Columbus Hospice, Inc.

Participate in staff development with 15 hours of CEUs during the evaluation period and complete annual competency check.

Participate in performance improvement activities.

Participate in The Joint Commission accreditation processes and in surveys by regulatory and other accrediting agencies.

Attend mandatory in-service education and staff meetings.

Immediately notify the supervisor or the on-call RN if after business hours, if unable to meet assignment commitment.

Accurately enter information into the Paycom timekeeping system to document work hours and request time off.

May be temporarily assigned shifts in the inpatient unit to satisfy staffing needs.

Must be flexible for future shift changes due to staffing and patient needs.

Represent the company in a positive and professional manner at all times with others, e.g., co-workers, management, vendors, and customers.

Complete all job responsibilities in a thorough and complete manner, utilizing good judgment in all aspects of the job.

When unsure of a directed task or any part of job responsibilities, proactively seek the assistance of immediate supervisor.

Ensure job responsibilities are met including attendance requirements and prompt arrival at work.

Assist with special projects as requested.

All other job duties as may be assigned.

Physical Demands

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus, and night driving abilities.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Potential exposure to hostile environments, cigarette smoke, and pets.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of job content, rather to act as a guide to the essential functions performed. Management retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.

Qualifications

Columbus Hospice, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.