Job Summary:

To provide nursing care to the terminally ill hospice patient as needed. To provide assistance and understanding to the family in the home care situation and in time of bereavement. To work as a member of the hospice team in providing hospice care.

Responsibilities:

Regularly assesses and reassesses the nursing needs of the hospice patient. Provides dietary counseling. Provides hospice nursing services, treatments and preventative procedures. Initiates nursing procedures appropriate for the patient's hospice care and safety. Observes signs and symptoms and reports to the physician and IDG members any unexpected changes in the patient's physical or emotional condition. Teaches, supervises and counsels the hospice patient and family members about providing care for the patient. Supervises and trains other nursing service personnel. Develops and re-evaluates the patient/family care plan in conjunction with IDG to meet needs and maintain continuity of care. Performs specific nursing procedures as needed (e.g., treatments, management of symptoms) following doctor's orders. Attends team conferences. Maintains records as required by hospice. Follows the policies and procedures of hospice. Observes confidentiality and safeguards all patient related information in compliance with HIPAA regulations. Always communicates to the supervisor if unable to meet a patient's needs or perform a procedure. Participates in on-call system and is responsible for providing on-call coverage when unavailable for assigned duties. Maintain skills and knowledge. Works with interdisciplinary group concept of patient care. Coordinates the implementation of the plan of care for patients residing in SNF, NF, ICF or MR. Organizes work schedule and utilizes time management to be able to attend all required meetings. Complies with agency infection control policies and protocols. Assist with orientation, teaching and training as requested. Other duties as assigned by Director. Graduate from an accredited school of nursing. Currently licensed as a RN to practice in the state. Ability to work independently, make accurate, and at times, quick judgments. Ability to supervise others appropriately. Ability to respond appropriately to crisis outside of a hospital setting. Acceptance of and adaptability to different social, racial, cultural and religious modes. Completes hospice training program. Minimum two (2) years of experience as a RN, preferred. A Registered Nurse administers skilled nursing care to patients on an intermittent basis in their place of residence. This is performed in accordance with physician orders and plan of care under the direction and supervision of the Director of Clinical Services/Clinical Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Graduate of an approved school of professional nursing and currently licensed in the state(s) in which practicing. 2. Two (2) years' nursing experience, preferred. 3. Acceptance of philosophy and goals of this Agency. 4. Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides services in accordance with the plan of care. 2. Makes the initial evaluation visit and regularly reevaluates the patient's nursing needs. 3. Initiates the plan of care and necessary revisions. 4. Provides those services requiring substantial specialized nursing skills. 5. Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. 6. Prepares clinical and progress notes for each patient visit and summaries of care conferences on his/her patients in a timely manner as per Agency policy. 7. Coordinates services. 8. Informs personnel of changes in the condition and needs of the patient. 9. Counsels the patient and family/significant others in meeting nursing and related needs. 10. Participates in and presents inservice programs. 11. Understands and adheres to established Agency policies and procedures. 12. Processes orders and notifies physician of patient needs and changes in condition. Completes certification/recertification orders and discharge summaries. 13. Determines the amount and type of nursing needed by each individual patient. 14. Refers to Physical Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Medical Social Worker those patients requiring their specialized skills. 15. Supervises and teaches other nursing personnel. 16. Conducts patient care conferences on patients assigned to his/her care. 17. Participates in peer review and Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement as assigned. 18. Gives total patient care as needed. 19. Takes on-call duty nights, weekends and holidays, as assigned. 20. Completes and submits OASIS assessments, reassessments, transfers, resumptions of care, discharges and significant change in condition in accordance with Agency defined time frames. 22. Appropriately utilizes ICD-10 codes. Active patient contact within the past three (3) years, preferred.