Job Summary: Delivers comprehensive patient care to assigned patients/families. Works cooperatively as a part of the interdisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Graduate of approved school of nursing, preferably with a Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree.

• Current licensure to practice professional nursing in the State of Texas.

• Reliable means of transportation; valid current Texas driver's license and automobile insurance.

• One or more years nursing experience in caring for the seriously ill patients.

• Knowledge of case management and an interdisciplinary team approach; use of the nursing process as it applies to hospice, palliative care, and home health patients and their families.

• Pain and symptom control, crisis intervention, and family/ patient counseling skills preferred.

• Computer knowledge required.

• Able to problem solve, make decisions, set priorities, keep accurate and orderly records.

• Suitable personal appearance, behavior, attitude, and integrity.

• Communicate effectively, both verbal and written.

• Team player who is flexible, self-motivated, dependable, and gets along well with others.

• Work well independently and also deal effectively with people.

Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Nursing Care and Coordination

• Respond to patients' and families' hospice needs.

• Performs skilled nursing assessment of physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs.

• Assesses and documents changes in patient’s condition, evaluating and appropriately reporting to the patient’s physician and/or Medical Director.

• Provide bedside nursing, perform nursing procedures or administer medications and treatments as ordered.

• Evaluates the patient’s medication needs for palliation by consulting appropriately with the patient’s physician/Medical Director.

• Cooperates the patient’s recertification process by evaluating and documenting the patient’s medical condition and decline.

• In accordance with Hospice Policy, assists the family and caregivers at time of death, handles necessary arrangements such as: pronouncing death, preparing the body, arranging for funeral home to remove body, notification of appropriate authorities, and medication and equipment disposal or removal.

• Listens carefully to patients and families, timely requesting support from social work and chaplains.

• Reports changes in patient’s condition.

• Documents, patient assessments, medications, treatments and responses concisely, accurately, completely, and timely.

• Participates in nurses’, bereavement, and other meetings and activities.

• Communicates with IDT members and facility staff members.

• Coordinates and completes patient admissions.

• Assures caregiver competence by instructing and verifying understanding of: disease process, signs and symptoms of approaching death, equipment, supplies, and medication usage; safety measures, including body mechanics and universal precautions.

• Evaluates and coordinates needed changes in level of care including hospitalization, respite care, crisis care and transfers.

• Coordinates additional services such as referrals for contracted therapists, (Physical, Speech, Occupational, Massage and Nutritional) and medical equipment/supply placement and removal.

• Monitors caregiver’s stress and ability to care for the patient. Reports needed changes in the POC to the Interdisciplinary Team.

• Provides emotional support for patient/family/caregiver.

General

• Support philosophy and objectives of Hope Hospice.

• Maintain professional licensure and/or certification current; know and abide by professional practice rules.

• Current on governmental and accreditation requirements affecting area of responsibility.

• Maintain professional appearance, behavior, attitude, and integrity.

• Maintain professional competency in area of expertise.

• Keep abreast of and abide by policies and procedures of the agency.

• Maintain confidentiality and ethical behavior.

• Promote a team approach through cooperation, mutual respect, flexibility, and dependability.

• Participate in appropriate meetings and activities, including Performance Improvement.

• Exhibit good stewardship of resources, including self-care.

• Read materials and attend in-services, seminars or conventions as needed for professional growth.

• Contribute to an atmosphere of excellence, mutual respect, and caring.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Operates a motor vehicle in order to drive to and from assignments in patient homes and nursing facilities. Duties include climbing stairs of varying sizes, types, and degrees that may be slick or in disrepair; negotiating ramps of varying sizes, types, and degrees that may be slick or in disrepair; and dealing with various issues related to the yard and street; and dealing with other circumstances both outside and inside the patients place of residence. Must be able to perform under a wide variety of conditions and circumstances in the home. Must possess sufficient manual dexterity to handle IV procedures, specimens, equipment and medications. May be required to repeatedly lift, carry, push and pull greater than 50 pounds, and carry agency provided electronic equipment for completing the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) in the home. Potential for exposure to blood, body fluids and infectious material. Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing, both in person and by telephone. Works periodically in office environment; moderate amount of standing, walking, stooping, sitting, reaching.

Travel

There is no anticipated overnight travel for this position. Local day travel is required.