Description

Requirements

Operates under the supervision of Clinical Managers and under physician orders. Operating within the framework of policies and procedures, state and federal regulations and the patient's plan of care. The on-call nurse is responsible for the management and care of COMMUNITY HOSPICE patients after business hours. The on-call nurse will be available by phone to meet the needs of the patients, as assigned. The on-call nurse is responsible for identifying and coordinating patient/family care to support patients with advanced illness and families in home, skilled nursing facility or residential care facility. Communication related to on-call interventions will be documented and communicated to the Case Manager with his/her assessment, plan of care changes and on going need.

The on-call nurse endeavors to utilize teaching, assessment, and intervention skills to provide comfort care and maximize the quality of life for the patients and families by:

· Assessing home care needs, being aware of the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects and gather data on social, economic and cultural factors which may influence health, well-being and quality of life.

· Receiving report from nursing staff.

· Responding to calls from answering service in a timely manner.

· Triaging patient related calls by determining the needs of the caller and then responding in an appropriate manner either by phone or with a visit.

· Implementing changes to the plan of care as needed with interdisciplinary collaboration with the support of the hospice medical director and/or the attending physician.

· Documenting and communicating all calls, interventions, care plan changes, physician contacts in a manner consistent with policy and procedure. Documenting accurate assessment of patient status and updating the plan of care utilizing appropriate communication (verbal, electronic, written, email documents and databases). Document patient care reflecting nursing interventions, patient response to care, focusing on the patient’s goals.

· Responding to referrals calls, providing the caller with information regarding hospice care, screening calls for appropriateness, taking patient information and coordinating with the on call supervisor to schedule the admission visit.

· Performing patient admission visits as assigned by Clinical Managers.

· Reporting concerns to the hospice admin on-call.

· Performing other duties within scope of practice and as training permits.

· Performing as a member of the COMMUNITY HOSPICE team as a whole and participates in the Mission and Philosophy of the agency.

· The RN is required to provide point of service electronic charting and documentation at time of patient visit or admission. Ability to operate a computer and / or a tablet PC, and proficiency with Windows-based software programs, is required.

Education and Experience

• A graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing who is currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the state of Alabama. BSN preferred. At least one (1) year of professional experience in the hospice field.
• Current CPR certification.