DUTIES

• To plan, coordinate and provide hospice care in accordance with the patient's plan of care.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinates hospice care by working with other team members as well as with the patients/family members to ensure needs are met.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of hospice services to the patient and family on an ongoing basis.
• Perform evaluations for hospice care along with informational visits as needed.
• Utilize the nursing process to provide professional nursing care.
• Consult with the attending physician and Hospice Medical Director concerning changes in patients’ condition requiring order changes and/or changes in the plan of care.
• Coordinate patient services with other members of the IDG as well as contracted services, when needed.
• Submit complete, accurate and relevant clinical notes in a timely manner.
• Submit patient visit schedule weekly.
• Participate in IDG and case conferences.
• Discuss with the supervisor if IDG determines that the patient would benefit from contracted services.
• Take responsibility for ensuring patients’ plans of care are kept current.
• Performs on-call duties (including holidays) per policy and agency need.
• Actively participates in QAPI meetings and activities.
• Participate in staff development meeting.
• Continually strive to improve his/her nursing care skills by attending in-service education, through formal education, attendance at workshops, conferences, active participation in professional and related organizations and/or individual research and reading.
• Provide education to patients/family members regarding the dying process, plan of care and offers guidance with healthcare decisions.
• Provide dietary counseling, taking into account health issues and dietary changes at the end of life.
• Perform death visit per agency’s policy.
• Participate in the patient’s discharge planning process.
• Maintain an on-going knowledge of current drug therapy.
• Adhere to Federal, state and accreditation requirements including Medicare and Medicaid regulations.
• May be requested by a supervisor to fill in for the other nurses.
• Conduct an initial as well as ongoing comprehensive assessments of the patients.
• Obtain a medical history from the patient and/or a family member particularly as it relates to the
• present condition.
• Conduct a physical examination of the patient, including vital signs, physical assessment, mental status, appetite and type of diet, etc.
• Evaluate the patient, family member(s) and home situation to determine what health teaching will be required.
• Evaluate the patient's environment to determine what assistance will be available from family members in caring for the patient and what services may be needed.
• Be competent in knowledge about different levels of care and when it’s appropriate to offer them.
• Explain nursing and other Agency services to patients and families as a part of planning for care.
• Develop and implement the initial plan of care and work with other members of the IDG in completing and maintaining the comprehensive plan of care.
• Nursing services, treatments and preventative procedures requiring substantial specialized skill and ordered by the physician.
• Observing signs and symptoms and reporting to the physician reactions to treatments, including drugs, as well as changes in the patient's physical or emotional condition.
• Supervise and evaluate the care given by the Hospice Aide at a minimum of once every 14 days and as needed.
• Chart those services rendered to the patient by the staff nurse and changes that have been noted in the patient's condition and/or family and home situation, makes revisions in the nursing care plan as needed, records supervisory visits conducted with the Hospice Aide, evaluates patient
• care and progress and closes charts of discharged patients.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of her nursing service to the individual and family.
• Discuss with the supervisor problems concerning the patients and possible resolution.
• Provide guidance and supervision to the LPN and supervises the LPN a minimum of every 30 days.
• Cooperate with other agencies providing nursing or related services to provide continuity of care and to implement a comprehensive care plan.
• Participate in staff development meetings.
• Prepare the care plan for the Hospice Aide.

JOB CONDITIONS

• May be stressful working with end of life circumstances.
• The ability to access patients’ homes which may not be routinely wheelchair accessible is required. Hearing, eyesight and physical dexterity must be sufficient to perform a physical assessment of the patient's condition and to perform and demonstrate patient care.
• Physical activities will include, walking, sitting, stooping, and standing and minimal to maximum lifting of patients and the turning of patients.

EQUIPMENT OPERATION

• Computer, telephone, thermometer, B/P cuff, glucometer, penlight, hand washing materials and other various pieces of office equipment and medical equipment.

COMPANY INFORMATION

• Has access to patient medical records.