JOB SUMMARY
The registered nurse plans, organizes and directs hospice care and is experienced in nursing, with emphasis on community health education/experience. The professional nurse builds from the resources of the community to plan and direct services to meet the needs of individual and families within their homes and communities. Uses Local Coverage Determination (LCD) guidelines to evaluate hospice eligibility in collaboration with physician.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Patient Care
Completes hospice admissions within scheduled shift from 10am – 7pm on scheduled days.
Completes an initial, comprehensive and follow-up assessments of patient and family to determine hospice needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).
Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process.
Uses health assessment data to determine plan of care.
Develops a patient-cetered care plan that establishes goals based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions.
Initiates appropriate symptom management and comfort-focused nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care.
Provides education and training to the patient and family in meeting patient needs.
Provides health care instructions to the patient and family as appropriate per assessment and plan.
Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care.
Communication
Completes and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.
Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s eligibility and plan of care; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required.
Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.
Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provides medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers. Works in concert with the interdisciplinary group.
Performs safety assessment and education.
Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.
Collaborates with the family/caregiver and Hospice Interdisciplinary Group Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.
Additional Duties
Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy.
Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.
Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.
Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-service classes.
Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.
Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by the employee of this job. The employee may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.
This position's current range is for $45.00 - $52.00 per hour.
JOB REQUIREMENTS (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)
Graduate of National League for Nursing accredited school of nursing.
Minimum of two years of experience, at least one of which is in the area of public health, home care, or hospice nursing is preferred.
Management experience not required.
Registered nurse with current licensure to practice professional nursing in the state.
Demonstrates excellent observation, problem solving, verbal and written communications; nursing skills per competency checklist.
Shows ability to organize and prioritize workload independently.
Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift, position, and/or transfer patients. Able to lift supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and/or crouching. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills.
Maintains a current CPR certification.
Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state or organization requirements and is in good working order.
Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision.
Maintains adequate flexibility to attend Hospice admissions throughout scheduled shift in communication with supervisor and operations staff.
Maintains availability to complete Hospice routine, death, recertification and PRN visits in conjunction with admissions schedule.
The employer for this position is stated in the job posting. The Pennant Group, Inc. is a holding company of independent operating subsidiaries that provide healthcare services through home health and hospice agencies and senior living communities located throughout the US. Each of these businesses is operated by a separate, independent operating subsidiary that has its own management, employees and assets. More information about The Pennant Group, Inc. is available at http://www.pennantgroup.com.