INTRODUCTION: The Hospice program provides services for patients with a terminal illness under orders from a private physician delivered in the patient's private home. Patients may also receive hospice service while in the nursing home or private healthcare facility. Payment is through Medicaid, Medicare and Private Pay/Insurance. Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Missouri is a non-profit organization.

TYPE OF WORK INVOLVED:

• Assess symptoms of diseases and responses to treatment
• Teach patients and caregivers how to give their own care and provide end of life comfort care, answer questions about meds, diet, disease process, activity, etc.
• Administer IV and injectable meds, perform prescribed treatments
• Assist with pain control
• Provide wound management, and ostomy care
• Restore independence and communicate changes in the patient's health to physician and hospice IDG team as necessary.

TRAINING: Training involves a 30 day period where policies and procedures are covered. Computer training will cover the use of the handheld used to make patient visits.