Hospice Nurse

This position is a Hawaii Nurses and Healthcare Professionals Bargaining Unit represented position.

Job Summary

Provides nursing case management and direct clinical care to terminally ill patients. Provides assistance and understanding to the family in the home and in time of bereavement. As a core member of the hospice team, the nurse works cooperatively with the attending physician, Medical Director, and other members of the interdisciplinary group, provides clinical interventions including but not limited to pain management and symptom control, conducts assessments and evaluations, and provides education and supportive end of life care to patient and family. Provides case management and oversight of IDG team and plan of care for hospice patients. Provides direction to home care aide & LPN. Delegates nursing care according to legal and regulatory guidelines/statutes and organizational policies. Maintains professional, clinical, technical, and interpersonal skills to provide best possible service.

Essential Responsibilities

• Direct Patient Care:
• Establishes and coordinates plan of care for patients assessing educational, equipment, skilled and non-skilled services
• and needs. Coordinates implementation of the plan of care for patients in SNF, NF, ICF, ALF and other residential care facilities.
• Provides direct patient care on an as needed basis. Provides services that are within scope of license and in
• compliance with all legal, regulatory, and policy requirements relevant to clinical role performed.
• Develops and/or revises an appropriate plan of care. Communicates and coordinates plan of care with physician(s), patients and family, and other health care providers in compliance with Hospice services established standards, policies, and procedures. Implements care, as ordered. Identifies problems accurately. Establishes reasonable/measurable goals.
• Establishes discharge planning in conjunction with the care planning process. Prepares and delivers medical supplies and orders equipment necessary for provision of prescribed care/service.
• Evaluates patients, families, and home environment on admission and subsequent home visits. Determines if home environment is safe and appropriate for provision of Hospice services. Assesses patients physical and psychosocial needs.
• Evaluates patients response to identified interventions. Reviews and interprets laboratory values. Demonstrates knowledge and skill in providing wound care. Provides all care according to established, written plan of care. Modifies/updates/changes plan of care when indicated by patients condition and/or physician orders. Obtains physician orders as required by State and Federal laws.
• Recognizes and interprets significant physiological and behavioral changes in patients condition. Reports findings appropriately to physician, Hospice Supervisor and/or other individuals involved in care of patient. Demonstrates critical thinking such as problem-solving, reflective practice, clinical reasoning, prioritizing, etc. Determines in collaboration with physician when patient care needs to be shifted into another setting.
• Assesses physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs, incorporating other disciplines into the Plan of Care, as appropriate. Registered Nurse assumes responsibility for any psychosocial or spiritual needs if Social Worker or Chaplain services are declined by the member. Demonstrates compassion presence and empathy while providing end of life care to ensure the best Care Experience possible for both member and family.Assume other activities and responsibilities as directed.
• Education and Oversight:
• Instructs patient, family, and other caregivers on nursing and aide-related care to promote independence and comfort care.Teaches, supervises, and counsels patients and family members about providing end of life care for the patient.
• Provides case management, as caseload assigned. Coordinates all necessary services to be provided to patients. Documents all care provided to patients and plans pertaining to care according to Hospice Services standards, federal and state regulation(s). Assures that medical record is accurate, legible, and complete; and follows timekeeping practices. Completes assessments and documentation per State and Federal law for all applicable patients assigned. Submits documentation in timelines specified by Hospice Standards, Federal and State regulation(s).
• Provides oversight and coordination of interdisciplinary team. Supervises other disciplines based on scope of practice, including oversight of LPN and HCA, when applicable.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences (formal and informal) to coordinate, discuss, and evaluate services provided to patient. Communicates with other Hospice personnel, other departments and with community resources to coordinate care and services for Hospice Services patients.
• Administrative:
• Plans for and participates in professional development activities to keep current of trends in Hospice nursing and/or clinical nursing skills.
• Participates in Hospice Services functions such as staff meetings, staff in-services, and committees, as assigned.
• Participates in orientation of new personnel to Hospice Services and precepts students as assigned.
• Participates in performance improvement. Identifies and presents improvement opportunities to organization and implements Quality Improvement process(es). Identifies and reports infections of patients. Assists with development and implementation of departments annual work plan. Performs clinical record audits, as assigned. Maintains educational record and provides evidence of competency. Maintains productivity levels per agency standard.
• Prepares weekly schedule of patient visits for self, and licensed practical nurse, and keeps agency apprised of schedule changes and openings for new admissions and other added visits. Required to work weekends, holiday and provide after hour coverage as assigned.
• Notifies Hospice Supervisor and/or designee of unusual circumstances or abnormal conditions which might result in schedule change for self or other employees. Reports problems, incidents and/or concerns to Hospice Manager in timely manner.
• Follows all applicable laws, rules, and recommendations for safe driving while on duty.Provides verification of current licensure/certification.
• Maintains, uses, and responds to (as applicable): voicemail, e-mail, and computer.
• May perform patient care to the extent necessary to maintain clinical expertise, competency, and licensing necessary to fulfill job responsibilities and to direct the provision of care.
• Incorporates the KP Nursing Vision, Model and Values throughout their Nursing Practice.