Assess, plan and provide care for a group of hospice patients; making nursing decisions and judgments based on nursing process of assessment, planning, interventions, implementation, and evaluation.

Serves as a liaison between the patient and physician to provide and document quality patient care according to established standards and practices.

Requires current RN license, plus a minimum of one year acute care experience with demonstrated supervisory ability.

• • Assessment and Clinical Skill: Skills
  • 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 effective pain management techniques.
  • Observes patient’s condition and reports abnormal reactions and changes in patient condition to physician.
  • Responds and performs appropriately and effectively in emergency situations.
  • Rotates on-call with other staff nurses.
  • Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care for patients’ growth and developmental needs.
  • Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care of nutritional needs.
  • Completes the admission process timely and according to agency policy.
  • Implements appropriate nursing intervention to meet patient needs and changed condition according to physician orders.

        Professionalism:

  • Reviews departmental policy & procedures yearly.
  • Maintains a professional standard of nursing in the patient’s home that reflects the philosophy and professional standards of the department and regulatory bodies
  • Sound, effective decision making in all aspects of job performance.
  • Demonstrates flexibility to departmental demands and scheduling.
  • Maintains strict patient confidentiality.
  • Prioritizes and utilizes time efficiently.
  • Submits required paperwork accurately and timely in accordance with Agency policy and Federal and State regulations.
  • Dresses appropriately and meets hygiene standards.
  • Demonstrates awareness of cost controls and strives to reduce department costs.
  • Supports hospital and departmental policies.
  • Assists with orientation of new employees as requested.
  • Demonstrates accurate/efficient utilization of equipment/supplies.
  • 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.
  • Participate in agency and community programs as requested to promote professional growth and understanding of hospice care.

        Case Management

  • Demonstrates overall responsibility and supervision of the patient care and documentation requirements of the individual caseload.
  • Ensures patient/family understands criteria for admission and continued services.
  • Demonstrates a proficiency in palliative care/ end of life/ hospice care.
  • Assess ongoing appropriateness for current level of care correctly based on physical evidence, history/physical and supporting medical information.
  • Communicates at appropriate comprehension level to patients/families.
  • Develops, updates and implements a hospice plan of care that meets each patient’s specific needs and is in compliance with federal and state regulations, reimbursement guidelines as well as the organization’s policies and procedures.
  • Ensures team assessments and reassessments are completed as required by policy and regulations.
  • Updates and coordinates patient care in cooperation with other members of the health care team, including care conference and IDT.
  • Is an active participant in required IDT Meetings.
  • 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 ability to coordinate each patient’s care and the role each team member/patient/caregiver should play in obtaining these goals.
  • Works closely with RNs, LPNs and home care aides providing delegation, instruction and supervision as necessary to ensure team caseload patient needs are met.
  • Reviews documentation of staff as directed; assures documentation is complete, accurate, and timely according to organizational policies and practice standards.
  • Knowledge of and availability to perform patient intakes and informational visits as needed including explanation of the hospice benefit, complete physical assessment, completion of all pertinent paperwork and communication of new patient status to the IDT members.
  • Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
  • Participates in evaluation of patient’s care needs and ensures all team members complete care plans and updates as necessary.
  • Reports to physician/patient/family the patient’s progress and/or care modifications necessary.
  • Ensures patients and families receive necessary services maintaining continuity of care when transfer or referral are required.
  • Provides for the supervision requirements of the home care aide, making home visits as necessary, to guarantee appropriate, courteous and efficient care is provided.
  • Ensures home care aide supervisory visits are made for assigned caseload patients every 14 days as required.
  • Informs the Clinical Supervisor/ Director of unusual or potentially problematic patient/family issues and maintains regular communication to review caseload.
  • Develops and maintains effective communications mechanisms with staff members and other departments of the hospital, physicians, families and the community to ensure the needs of the individual case manager’s caseload is met.
  • Reports directly to the Director of Home Care/ 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.
  • Ensures the clinical record documentation reflects delivery of quality and safe hospice services for each patient in caseload.
  • Maintains a standard of eighteen to twenty visits per week, which includes all related paper work.
  • 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.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:

Graduate from an approved school of nursing.  Current RN license from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing or Compact State.

Experience:

Preferably, shall have at least one year hospital or nursing home experience.  Acute care experience preferred.

Shall have a genuine interest in geriatrics, preferably, shall have experience in geriatric care.  Current Hospice experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Must be able to assess, evaluate and communicate effectively.

Must demonstrate sound knowledge and actions in patient care and decision-making.

CPR certification required, other medical certification highly encouraged (CHPN)

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 and insurance.

Ability to read, write, speak and understand English