RN - Home Health and Hospice

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluates referred patients for nursing care and supports nursing care standards through adherence to existing policies and procedures.
• Obtains and documents nursing history from patients and/or significant others that is comprehensive of present condition and prior problems. Performs basic assessment of patients, indicating adequate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Records vital signs, notes changes, and pursues more-specific investigations as needed. Identifies abnormal diagnostic data and shows a fundamental understanding of its implications by reporting information to the physician and others caring for the patient, and by incorporating information in the nursing care plan.
• Uses Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system to enter and document orders.
• Assesses patient’s physical, emotional, psychosocial and disability status through observation, and analysis of records and develops patient care plans using the nursing process.
• Uses assessment information to develop a care plan before the end of duty time that communicates enough information for incoming staff to adequately care for the patient. Reviews and develops care plans for assigned patients. Includes the patient and his or her family in planning care, establishing priorities, and setting goals.
• Coordinates Hospice plan of care with interdisciplinary team and works with the volunteer and bereavement coordinators.
• Coordinates services with other disciplines and community resources.
• Coordinates Hospice plan of care with other agencies when appropriate.
• Uses care plans as a basis for providing safe and therapeutic care to patients. Communicates with the patient and his or her family and other members of the health care team in carrying out the goals of the care plan. Accepts accountability for clinical care of assigned patients including supervision of nonprofessional personnel.
• Carries out prescribed treatments for patients in accordance with physician’s orders.
• Reevaluates patient's needs regularly and reports significant observations/changes to client's physician and/or Agency Director or Nurse Supervisor.
• Demonstrates effective teaching to patient/family/caregivers regarding diagnosis, cares/treatments, medications and follow up care within their abilities.
• Supervises Home Care Aides and interprets plans to such personnel.
• Maintains client charts appropriately and ensures charting is done within specified time limits.
• Provides health-related consultation and guidance to individuals, providers, staff, and community.
• Respond to emergency medical situations in an urgent manner and perform on the spot emergency assistance which may include first aid and/or CPR.
• Provides training, education, and guidance to assigned L.P.N.s, C.M.A.s and/or C.N.A.s as needed.
• Consults with and keeps supervisor or designee informed of patients' status and needs.
• Capable of assisting physician with unit-specific procedures.
• Participates in department quality improvement activities.
• Assists in patient teaching assignments.
• Completes all CEU’s as required by respective licensure. If licensed, maintains an active and current license.
• Maintains friendly and courteous interpersonal communication skills and a positive service attitude.
• Participates in performance improvement and educational activities.
• Works willingly and accepts assignments as given.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and programs.
• Participates in opportunities that enhance personal and professional growth.
• Performs other duties as necessary or assigned.
• Complies with the Corporate Compliance Policy and all laws, regulations, and Standards of Conduct relating to the position and agrees to report any suspected violations of law or Standards of Conduct.
• Complies with all applicable state and federal regulations and JCAHO standards.
• Maintains a safe work environment using safe work practices, utilizing standard precautions and complying with hazardous waste procedures at all times as described in St. Anthony's Safety Manual.
• Maintains the confidentiality of patient, resident, employee and organizational information.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities, however, may assist physician with special unit procedures and provide training, education, and guidance to assigned staff, such as Home Care Aides, L.P.N.s, C.M.A.s and/or C.N.A.s.

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the department Director, organization’s policies and applicable laws. 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must b