Overview
Assess, plan and provide skilled nursing care for a group of hospice patients; making nursing decisions and judgments based on nursing process of assessment, planning, interventions, implementation, and evaluation.
Responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities of this Level
· Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of multi system assessment and reassessment.
· Demonstrates the ability to coordinate effective patient/family education and discharge and transfer planning.
· Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and reporting mechanism.
· Demonstrates appropriate care in regards to patient’s cultural beliefs, values and religion.
· Accurate assessment of patient care needs and eligibility for services.
· Demonstrates the use of sterile technique with dressing changes.
· Maintains an awareness of patient’s condition and nursing care needs. Promotes care of the total patient with awareness of psychological, social, cultural, religious and family needs.
· Demonstrates effective pain management techniques.
· Demonstrates the ability to perform vein punctures and follows correct IV administration policy.
· Participates in evaluation of patient’s care needs and does care plans and updates.
· Demonstrates ability to coordinate each patient’s care and role each person should play in obtaining these goals.
· Observes patient’s condition and reports abnormal reactions and changes in patient condition to physician.
· Responds and performs appropriately and effectively in emergency situations.
· Demonstrates knowledge of how to use equipment pertaining to patient care. How to maintain and clean equipment.
· Demonstrates effective communication methods and skills using the lines of authority appropriately.
· CPR certification and Heimlich maneuver.
· Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care for patients’ growth and developmental needs.
· Follows through on tests or procedures left from previous day and reports on any incomplete assignments to assure continuity of care.
· Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care of nutritional needs.
· Complies with NARMC HIPAA Privacy and Security policies.
· Accurate assessment of patient care needs and eligibility for services.
· Implements appropriate nursing intervention to meet patient needs and changed condition according to physician orders.
· Completes the admission process timely and according to agency policy.
· Updates and coordinates patient care in cooperation with other members of the health care team, including care conference/ IDT Meetings.
· Report to physician/patient/family the progression of the care given to patient.
· Ensures the patient record documentation reflects delivery of quality and safe home care services.
· Works closely with LPNs and home health aides providing delegation, instruction and supervision as necessary.
· Maintains a professional standard of nursing in the patient’s home that reflects the philosophy and professional standards of the department and regulatory bodies.
· Maintains a minimum standard of four to five visits per 8 hours worked, which includes all related paper work.
· Demonstrates awareness of cost controls and strives to reduce department costs.
· Supports hospital and departmental policies.
· Maintains strict patient confidentiality.
· Assists with orientation of new employees as requested.
· Performs supervisory visits of home health aides and LPNs per regulatory requirements.
· Submits required paperwork accurately and timely in accordance with Agency policy and Federal and State regulations.
· Demonstrates accurate/efficient utilization of equipment/supplies.
· Prioritizes and utilizes time efficiently.
· Demonstrates flexibility to departmental demands and scheduling.
· Sound, effective decision making in all aspects of job performance.
· Develops and maintains effective communications mechanisms with staff members and other departments of the hospital, physicians, families and the community.
· Demonstrates awareness of responsibility and accountability for own actions and assigned responsibilities.
· Rotates on-call with other nurses.
· Reviews departmental policy & procedures yearly.
· Understands responsibility to report issues with privacy, fraud and abuse, compliance and ethical conduct.
· Communicates at appropriate comprehension level to patients/families.
· Follows through on all patient requests in a timely manner
· Demonstrates professional medical care to the sick and disabled without regard to race, sex, age, creed, religion or inability to pay.
· Is an active participant in Departmental and/ or Team Meetings.
· Reports directly to the Clinical Supervisor and ultimately to the Director of Home Health & Hospice all lapses in patient care and other employee issues.
· Performs job duties as a team member to assure the effectiveness of, and harmony within, the department.
· Dresses appropriately and meets hygiene standards.
· Creates a positive image of Hospice of the Hills and NARMC at all times.
· Ensures the clinical record documentation reflects delivery of quality and safe hospice services for each patient in caseload.
· Demonstrates effective communication methods and skills using the lines of authority appropriately.
· Demonstrates awareness of responsibility and accountability for own actions and assigned responsibilities.
· Assures that individualized patient instruction is provided to each aide involved in the patient’s case as appropriate & care plan is completed.
· Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
· Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
Preferred
Education:
Graduate from an accredited nursing school. Current RN licensed to practice in the state of Arkansas
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing school
Experience:
One year previous related healthcare experience
2 or more years previous related healthcare experience.
Current Hospice experience preferred.
Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:
BLS through American Heart Association
CHPN certification
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Shall have a genuine interest in geriatrics, preferably, shall have experience in geriatric care.
Must be able to assess, evaluate and communicate effectively.
Must demonstrate sound knowledge and actions in patient care and decision making.
BLS certification required.
Participates in continuing education to broaden knowledge and acquire skills necessary to be effective in all aspects of job performance.
Demonstrates a desire for self-improvement.
Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license & Auto Insurance.
Ability to read, write, speak and understand English
