STATE OF THE HEART HOSPICE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION:INPATIENT & PALLIATIVE CARE REGISTERED NURSE

REPORTS TO:DIRECTOR IN PATIENT HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE

Summary of Position: The Inpatient and Palliative Care Nurse is responsible for providing primary nursing services to patients and their families in the Inpatient Care Center. The Inpatient and Palliative Care Nurse is committed to the philosophy, goals and objectives of State of the Heart Hospice. She/he works directly under the supervision of the In Patient Hospice Director.

Position Specifications:

Education:Graduation from an approved School of Nursing.

Licensure:Current registration in the State of Ohio and eligibility to obtain registration in Indiana.

Current registration in the State of Indiana and eligibility to obtain registration in Ohio.

Experience:Minimum of two (2) years experience in Medical/Surgical, Oncology or community health nursing is preferred.

Special Skills and Requirements:

1.Must have excellent literacy and writing, documentation, communication, and interpersonal abilities.

2.Must have corrected hearing and vision within normal range.

3.Must be able to use tools and equipment required.

4.Shall have a valid driver’s license.

5.Demonstrates interest and empathy for the terminally ill and is comfortable with issues of

death and dying.

Working Conditions: Involves both office work for charting and direct patient care. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. of equipment/supplies. Needs to be able to assist with patient care activities such as ambulation, transfers, and positioning. Requires varied amounts of sitting, standing, and turning.

Essential Functions:

  1. Provide competent nursing care to assigned patient/families through skilled symptom management, emotional support, appropriate teaching and timely response to patient/family needs.
  1. Implements the complete nursing process for assigned patients and their families including:
  2. Develops and updates an individualized plan of care that promotes symptom management and transitioning the patient to routine home care if applicable
  3. Provides hands on patient care, medication administration services, and prescribed treatments including those requiring professional nursing skills
  4. Teaches appropriate care, treatment, information and health practices to patients, families, caretaker(s), and others
  5. Supervises and evaluated patient’s self-care, care given by family, and given by LPNs, hospice aides, and volunteers
  6. Discharges patients according to agency policies
  7. Obtains and processes physicians orders
  8. Maintains a safe environment for patients and uses equipment safely and properly
  1. Coordinates services to maintain continuity of patient care.
  1. Coordinate IDG planning for assigned patient/families. Participate in IDG analysis of patient/family needs, strengths, and priorities for care and in resulting development, implementation and revision of the IDG Plan of Care.
  1. Provide collaborative oversight of LPNs assigned to patient care as needed.
  1. Instruct Hospice Aides assigned to patient care as needed.
  1. Prepares, maintains, and dismisses clinical records in a timely manner according to agency policy.
  1. Communicates and cooperates with other agency personnel to achieve patient care and agency requirements
  1. Maintains professional nursing standards.

Responsibilities of Position:

  1. Provide competent nursing care to assigned patient/families through skilled symptom management, emotional support, appropriate teaching and timely response to patient/family needs.
  1. Implements the complete nursing process for assigned patients and their families including:
  2. Develops and updates an individualized plan of care that promotes symptom management and transitioning the patient to routine home care if applicable
  3. Provides hands on patient care, medication administration services, and prescribed treatments including those requiring professional nursing skills
  4. Teaches appropriate care, treatment, information and health practices to patients, families, caretaker(s), and others
  5. Supervises and evaluated patient’s self-care, care given by family, and given by LPNs, hospice aides, and volunteers
  6. Discharges patients according to agency policies
  7. Obtains and processes physicians orders
  8. Maintains a safe environment for patients and uses equipment safely and properly
  1. Coordinates services to maintain continuity of patient care.
  1. Coordinate IDG planning for assigned patient/families. Participate in IDG analysis of patient/family needs, strengths, and priorities for care and in resulting development, implementation and revision of the IDG Plan of Care.
  1. Provide collaborative oversight of LPNs assigned to patient care as needed.
  1. Instruct Hospice Aides assigned to patient care as needed.
  1. Prepares, maintains, and dismisses clinical records in a timely manner according to agency policy.
  1. Communicates and cooperates with other agency personnel to achieve patient care and agency requirements
  1. Maintains professional nursing standards.
  1. Complete referral and/or admission assessments as requested.
  1. Establish and maintain appropriate records of patient care management in a timely manner following CMS and JCAHO guidelines and in accordance with State of the Heart Hospice policy.
  1. Coordinate patient care and maintain continuity by utilizing and working effectively with other providers or community agencies/individuals.
  1. Demonstrate sensitivity to emotional, spiritual and practical needs of patient, families, and staff members in all interactions.
  1. Follow Universal Precautions technique.
  1. Maintain clinical competency for assigned responsibilities and procedures.
  1. Provide on-call nursing coverage within assigned intervals to ensure twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) days a week coverage for current Agency patient/families as needed.
  1. Develop a working knowledge of the Medicare Hospice Benefit.
  1. In the absence of GIP patient the inpatient care nurse may be assigned to

a)Routine Home Care Visits

b)Continuous Home Care

c)Chart Review

  1. Performs other duties as assigned.

Personal Responsibility/Accountability:

  1. Committed to the mission and core values of State of the Heart Hospice.
  1. Attends team and mandatory meetings.
  1. Absences/tardies are within policy parameters.
  1. Is open to changes in work schedule, assignments, and location.
  1. Follows established policies and procedures.
  1. Completes and submits required documentation.
  1. Follows dress code, routinely wears name tag, and is professional in appearance.
  1. Maintains positive attitude.
  1. Sets priorities and works toward ways to improve processes, efficiency, and quality.
  1. Keeps supervisor or designee apprised of job duties and work assignments.
  1. Identifies own educational needs and takes active role in maintaining professional expertise through self-study and continuing education programs.
  1. Able and willing to follow directions.

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