SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Hospice Home Care Aide; Hospice Licensed Practical Nurse

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Current RN licensure in state of practice, successful completion of a nursing education from an approved school of nursing with two years of clinical nursing experience and at least one year of hospice nursing experience preferred.

INTRA/INTERCOMPANY CONTACTS

Will have frequent contact with the Clinical Manager, Administrator, Operations Support Technician. Will have frequent contact with other disciplines on the care team as well as customers and vendors from other agencies.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Must have knowledge of the framework, function, and organization of a hospice care program and the nurse's role as a member of the patient care team. Must maintain a working knowledge of the principles and practice of nursing according to nursing practice act, agencies policies and procedures, and reimbursement guidelines. Must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Constantly able to use a computer and have a working knowledge of a variety of computer applications. Must possess high-level problem solving, critical thinking, and reasoning skills for use in patient care planning and problem resolution. Minimum of twelve (12) hours continuing education required annually. CPR certification required. Must accept travel based on agency need as well as weekend/evening and holiday call assignments. Must have a valid driver's license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to stoop or kneel, bend, lift, push up to 50 pounds, reach with hands and or arms, and smell frequently when providing patient care and performing clerical functions. Must be able to use hands to write or type. Must be able to operate and move from a vehicle to a patient's residence with supplies and/or equipment multiple times daily. Must frequently be able to walk up and down stairs in a patient's residence. Frequent exposure to blood and body fluids, sharps, and infectious disease. May occasionally be exposed to dangerous animals and traffic hazards while home visiting. May occasionally encounter patients and other situations that present a potential threat to personal safety. Occasionally encounters temperature change and weather extremes.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Direct Patient care - 70%, Office - 25%, Travel -5%.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

* Apply a working knowledge of nursing theories and concepts.

* Responsible for care and documentation of care which meets reimbursement guidelines.

* Coordinate physical care of the patient with family, patient, physician and Hospice team.

* Communicate with patients/families at all levels.

* Communicate with all agency personnel.

* Attend and participate in IDT meetings and quality review as scheduled by agency.

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

* Apply a working knowledge of nursing theories and concepts. Evaluate new admission for which there are physician's orders, utilizing skilled in physical assessment by systems review to totally assess patient's condition and problems and by identifying psychosocial and environmental factors related to patient care

* Provide care consistent with medical doctor's plan of treatment and agency policies and procedures and reimbursement guidelines and consistent with the Nurse Practice Act in the state where care is given

* Develop plan of care appropriate to the patient's diagnosis utilizing findings of the assessment. Plan with the patient/family physician and other hospice staff members and other agencies as needed to coordinate optimal care and use of resources in developing the patients' plan of care.

* Utilize time management skills in performing job and consistently exhibits positive job interest, attitude, flexibility and understanding of agency policies and procedures.

* Responsible for care and documentation of care also meeting reimbursement guidelines. Discuss with patient/family agency admission and third party reimbursement policies and guidelines.

* Set treatment goals for patient treatment that are stated in outcome measures that are realistic and addressed in order of importance and immediacy.

* Make referrals to appropriate disciplines and resources.

* Assess and document coordination of team services, serving as case manager in multidisciplinary cases and at team conferences.

* Documents accurately, thoroughly and in a timely manner all patient care data and agency-required records. Records reflect understanding of reimbursement guidelines.

* Coordinate physical care of the patient. Teach care givers, volunteers and employed caregivers to meet patient's needs.

* Refer patient to Hospice/Home Care Aide or LPN as needed and directly supervise the care provided per policy and procedure.

* Review patient care needs on an on-going basis and update POC as appropriate.

* Provide direct treatment, teaching and follow up care to patients utilizing a wide range of technical skills.

* Update the plan goals as patients' conditions warrant and in conjunction with the physician.

* Actively participate in developing caseload.

* Cover on-call duty as assigned by Hospice Clinical Manager.

* Communicate with patients/families at all levels. Relate well to patients/families, responding to verbal and nonverbal communication.

* Provide appropriate support at time of death and period of bereavement.

* Communicate with all agency personnel. Communicate with a direct, positive and timely manner.

* Coordinate service to optimize patient care.

* Attend and participate in IDT meetings and quality review as scheduled by agency.

* Other job duties as assigned.