RN Hospice

Responsible for the direct and indirect nursing care of the patients in the home. In collaboration with the patient, family, and health care team (IDT), the registered nurse as case manager will develop, implement, and evaluate nursing care according to agency and system policies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Current unencumbered licensure with the WV Board of Registered Professional Nurses, or appropriate state board where services will be provided, as a registered professional nurse OR current multi-state licensure through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

2. Valid driver’s license.

3. CPR certification within 30 days of hire date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE:

1. One year of Home Care Nursing and 2 years of prior nursing experience.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Performs the functions of the hospice aide.

2. Performs and monitors basic patient care according to policies and procedures.

3. Provides a safe and comfortable environment in the patient’s home.

4. Ensures privacy and demonstrates concern for the dignity of patient in performing all patient care.

5. Completes assignments in a timely manner.

6. Assumes on-call responsibility per policy and procedures.

7. Communicates patient care problems or potential problems to the Administrative Staff and/or other IDT members as identified/occur to assure continuity and coordination of care.

8. Provides care, based on physical, psychosocial, communication, safety, education level, and related criteria for the infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric patient per the established age-specific education/standard.

9. States and utilizes admission criteria per agency guidelines.

10. Formulates and establishes a plan of care with the IDT based on assessed findings and update under physician orders. 

11. Completes and documents full system assessment, including assessment of level of physical and psychosocial aspects and identifies age-specific criteria upon admission and each visit thereafter.

12. Understands pathophysiologic process by taking appropriate nursing action in accordance with changes in patient condition.

13. Reports significant observed changes in patient condition to Administrative Staff and/or physician.

14. Documents patient status and care or services furnished in appropriate areas defined by the documentation policy and procedure.

15. Documents hospice aide supervisory visits as per standard.

16. Performs CPR when directed by patient’s appropriate representative’s wishes.

17. Displays safe, efficient, and prudent use and maintenance of D.M.E. and medical supplies and adaptive equipment. Notify admin/doctor if safely issues R/T DME in home.

18. Demonstrates bag technique per policy and procedure.

20. Utilizes supplies effectively and to ensure cost containment.

21. Maintains integrity of the IV site while performing patient care.

22. Performs treatments/procedures according to specific standards (e.g., vital signs, patient weights, specimen collection, ostomy care [ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy/tracheotomy], catheterization [urethral, suprapubic], wound care, dressing changes, suctioning [oral, pharyngeal/nasal/trach], gastric tube [feedings and maintenance].

23. Performs and monitors patient teaching according to the policy and procedures.

24. Coordinates care so that medications are administered as ordered by a physician and in compliance with the medication administration.

25. Coordinates the care team in order to facilitate a change in the level of care in compliance with the change in level of care standard.

26. Identifies the stages of death and dying.

27. Completes IDT forms and Medicare LMRPs per regulations. Completes medical updates as per Medicare guidelines. Completes patient discharge summary upon termination of services.

28. EVENING & WEEKEND POSITIONS: Audit Charts (Inactive/Active). Follow-up phone call from admissions to assess needs and level of pain or other patients as needed. Admissions as needed. Assist with patient overflow from the previous shifts/visits. Attends IDT meetings and month staff meeting regularly or reviews minutes.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1.Frequent walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and feeling are necessary body movements utilized in performing nursing duties through the work shift.

2. Must be able to lift, move, and position patients of all weights, with varying amount of assistance in a fair manner on a regular and recurring basis.

3 Hearing within normal range is required (e.g., to assess breath sounds, heart sounds, apical pulse, monitors, etc.).

4. Visual acuity must be within normal range.

5. Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

6. Must be able to operate motor vehicle with a safe practice.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Exposure to bodily fluids, human tissues, contagious diseases, sharps, and explosive gases.

2. Exposure to toxic gases, fumes, and odors.

3. Exposure to high stress and constant interruptions.

4. Exposure to electrical current.

5. Exposure to radiation from x-rays.

6. Exposure to bad road conditions.

7. Exposure to wind, rain, snow, sleet, mud, high and low temperatures, animals and insects, and hazardous roadways.

8. The majority of work is performed in the patient’s home and may require extensive travel.

9. Subject to unpredictable situations. May be exposed to adverse or unpleasant home environments.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Must have the ability to perform concentrated and complex mental activity with frequent involvement in complex and highly-technical situations.

2. Must have the ability to work successfully under highly-stressful conditions, and must be capable of adapting to varying workloads and work assignments on a constant basis.

3. Must have the ability to make sound, independent judgments based on scientific principles, and also be able to collaborate with other multi-disciplinary team members in an appropriate fashion.

4. Must have the ability to comprehend and perform oral and written instructions and procedures.

5. Must have strong communications skills, written and verbal.

6. Must have math skills to enable calculation of drug dosages and infusion stats.

7. Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and all shifts.

8. Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with safety policies and procedures.

9. IV skills required.

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