Registered Nurse Home Care

POSITION: Registered Nurse/Home Care REPORTS TO: Nurse Team LeaderFLSA STATUS: o exempt o non-exemptPOSITION SUMMARY:Provide direct patient care to Hospice patients in the home setting and supervise home health aide servicesEDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:Current NC license as a registered nurseActive patient contact or completion of a nursing refresher course within the past 3 yearsCPR certificationKNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:Knowledge of and commitment to the hospice philosophy of careAbility to work on an interdisciplinary team Ability to work a flexible scheduleWillingness to work with patients/families regardless of race, color, creed, age, or sexual orientation. Must respect their beliefs and philosophy with an attitude of openness and receptiveness RequirementsTRAINING-Initial And Ongoing:Complete Hospice volunteer/staff training program Complete Hospice orientation programObtain 12 hours of continuing education per year, including mandatory safety in-serviceAttend minimum of six staff meetings per yearAttend assigned team meetings every two weeksMaintain CPR certificationDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Assist in orienting new team members, as requestedParticipate in quality improvement programAdhere to strict confidentiality Adhere to safety policy and practicesComplete employee time record accurately per policyCooperate with all government agencies and outside auditorsAssist with updating policies and procedures, as appropriateComplete annual TB screeningAssure all license, certifications, continuing education information and any other required documentation are submitted to human resources and kept currentMaintain up-to-date documentation required and specified in Hospice policy and procedurePerform other duties assigned by supervisorEvaluate physical needs of the patientCoordinate medication administration, education and assure accuracy Evaluate the need for other servicesCommunicate patient/family information to the interdisciplinary teamCoordinate the development of the plan of care with goals defined by the patient/family and the hospice team, updating every 14 days and as changes occurProvide nursing services according to the plan of care Make referral to other services as needed in coordination with the medical social workerSupervision of home health aideTeach the primary caregiver, sitter, and home health aide by role model, repetition, and reinforcementProvide ongoing supervision along with assessment of continuing needs for patient/family teachingInstruct caregiver in emergency response and anticipate changeMake regular visits as ordered by the physician and as neededProvide the patient/family with information concerning the disease process, the regimen of treatment process, and alternative methods of careRespond to questions honestly and realisticallyHelp the patient/family make informed choicesPromote independence and responsibility throughout the course of the diseaseProvide emotional supportActively listen to patient and family concernsSupport individual coping mechanisms Provide services at the time of deathAssist with bereavement follow-up attending receivings or funeral services as appropriateEvaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions on a regular basis and whenever changes occur in the patient/family situationCommunicate with physician, orally, or by letter, after the initial home visit and as needed and required by regulationsMaintain current knowledge and competency in providing care to terminally ill patients and their familiesProvide 24 hour on-call services as scheduledAssist with nursing care on patient care unit as directed by supervisorAssist with assessing patient appropriateness for continued servicesAssist with palliative care patients as neededPHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS:Speech and hearing skills necessary for telephone interaction and face to face contactVisual acuity to read chart and physician's ordersAbility to stand and walk for long periods of timeManual dexterity to establish IV sites, manipulate tubing, and other patient care suppliesWith assistance, ability to lift and support an average of 150 poundsAbility to sit as required to perform duties Ability to pull/push, and bend frequentlyAbility to squat, kneel, climb, and balanceSPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:Must have an automobile with required insurance coverage and state driver's license