Primary Responsibilities:Performs skilled nursing activitiesCompletes assessment of patients regularly and on-going as patients' conditions warrants. Assessments include physical, functional, psychosocial and environmental needs and activities of daily living. Responsible for the input of patient information into the electronic medical record.Completes appropriate documentation in accordance with Community Hospice standards.Provides patient care in accordance with physician orders and patient/caregiver goals, directed by the Plan Care; provides post-mortem care per policy.Develops patient Plan of Care and supervises hospice aide in provision of that patient care.Demonstrates awareness and maintenance of Standard Precautions. Provides emotional support to patient/caregiver.Teaches patient/caregiver as appropriate to situation, plan of care.Demonstrates knowledge and appropriate use of medications, including medication administration. Assess patient to determine appropriateness of crisis intervention care and oversee cases daily.Performs Hospice Aide supervisory visit at least every 14-days to assess patient/caregiver satisfaction with Hospice Aide services. Makes an annual on-site visit to the location where the patient is receiving care in order to observe and assess each aide while he or she is performing care. Demonstrates competency in skills identified, maintaining completion of annual competency of these skills per organization standard.Contacts Community Hospice Medical Director or Associate Medical Director for pain and symptom management recommendations/orders as necessary and communicate these to patient/caregiver and attending physician (if any) for approval. Communicates timely, thoroughly, professionally with interdisciplinary group members, patient and or caregivers, and other Community Hospice departments.Actively involves interdisciplinary group in initiation/review/evaluation of Plan of Care.Evaluates services provided to patients, apprising Manager or RN Supervisor if compliments/complaints or opportunities for improvement are expressed.Attends and participates in the IDG meeting.Facilitates transfers into the Inpatient Facility, ordering medical equipment, supplies, and medications according to organization procedures; offers/provides Continuous/Transitional Care on transfer from unit, further ensuring continuity of care of Hospice services.Apprises Manager or RN Supervisor of needed medical equipment, supplies, medications, and orders as directed.Documentation completed is reflective of patient care given, services provided, any concerns noted, patient status; is legible, neat; is accurate, thorough, completed in a timely manner. Care Plans are kept current, applicable to patient and caregiver goals and needs.Patient Incident Reports are completed accurately and submitted immediately to the Manager or RN Supervisor.Operational systems are maintained in regard to Federal, State hospice standards.Compliance with Community Hospice Pharmacy and State regulations in regard to obtaining, disposing, dispensing pharmaceuticals.Takes initiative in addressing areas of need noted regarding facility operations/services, advising appropriate department for resolution.Demonstrates professional relationship with internal and external customers.Promotes organization image within Community Hospice and the community.Uses chain of command for problem solving.Demonstrates appropriate dress and grooming.Displays courteous, tact, patience, respect.Maintains a good attendance record; notifies organization of absences according to policy.Participates in organization Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) as appropriate.Follows and supports the Clinical Care standards as established. Qualifications:Education/Experience:Any combination of education and experience that would provide required skills and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:Possession of a degree from an accredited school of nursing program, 2 (two) year Associate Degree, or a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.One (1) year Registered Nurse experience with one (1) year hospital medical-surgical/oncology experience preferred orFive (5) years Licensed Practical Nurse experience within the past five (5) years, with one (1) year hospital medical–surgical/oncology experience preferred.Knowledge of appropriate educational principles and methods as applied to hospice nursing.Effective communication and teamwork.Demonstration of confidence and ability to manage inpatient facility functions and patient care needs on his/her shift.Working long and occasionally irregular hours.
