Description
Provide direct patient care to Hospice patients receiving continuous care in the home and long-term care setting
Requirements
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Current NC license as a practical nurse
- Minimum 2-3 years’ nursing experience required
- Active patient contact or completion of a nursing refresher course within the past 3 years
- CPR certification
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team
- Ability to work on an as needed basis
- Knowledge of and commitment to the hospice philosophy of care
- Willingness to work with patients/families regardless of race, color, creed, age or sexual orientation. Must respect their beliefs and philosophy with an attitude of openness and receptiveness
TRAINING-Initial And Ongoing:
- Complete Hospice volunteer/staff training program
- Complete Hospice orientation program
- Obtain 12 hours of continuing education per year,including mandatory safety in-service
- Attend minimum of six staff meetings per year
- Maintain CPR certification
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist in orienting new team members, asrequested
- Participate in quality improvement program
- Adhere to strict confidentiality
- Adhere to safety policy and practices
- Complete employee time record accurately perpolicy
- Cooperate with all government agencies and outside auditors
- Assist with updating policies and procedures, as appropriate
- Complete annual TB screening
- Assure all license, certifications, continuing education information and any other required documentation are submitted to human resources and kept current
- Maintain up-to-date documentation required and specified in Hospice policy and procedure
- Perform other duties assigned by supervisor
- Evaluate physical needs of the patient
- Coordinate medication administration, education and assure accuracy
- Evaluate the need for other services
- Communicate patient/family information to the interdisciplinary team
- Follow the plan of care with goals defined by the patient/family and the hospice team
- Provide one on one continuous care nursing services according to the plan of care
- Alert primary registered nurse or medical social worker of any changes in patient condition or identified needs of patient or family
- Make referral to other services as needed in coordination with the medical social worker
- Teach the primary caregiver, sitter, and home health aide by role model, repetition, and reinforcement
- Instruct caregiver in emergency response and anticipate change
- Provide the patient/family with information concerning the disease process, the regimen of treatment process, and alternative methods of care
- Respond to questions honestly and realistically
- Help the patient/family make informed choices
- Provide emotional support
- Actively listen to patient and family concerns
- Support individual coping mechanisms
- Provide services at the time of death
- Evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions on a regular basis and whenever changes occur in the patient/family situation
- Communicate with physician as needed
- Maintain current knowledge and competency in providing care to terminally ill patients and their families
PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Speech and hearing skills necessary for telephone interaction and face to face contact
- Visual acuity to read chart and physician’s orders
- Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time
- Manual dexterity to establish IV sites, manipulate tubing, and other patient care supplies
- With assistance, ability to lift and support an average of 150 pounds
- Ability to sit as required to perform duties
- Ability to pull/push, and bend frequently
- Ability to squat, kneel, climb, and balance
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must have an automobile with required insurance coverage and state driver’s license
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