REGISTERED NURSE Job Description:
Reports To: Clinical Supervisor/Nursing Supervisor
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:
The registered nurse plans, organizes and directs hospice care and is experienced in nursing, with emphasis on community health education/experience. The professional nurse builds from the resources of the community to plan and direct services to meet the needs of individual and families within their homes and communities.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Patient Care
1. Completes an initial, comprehensive and ongoing comprehensive assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).
2. Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process and as defined in the state Nurse Practice Act.
3. Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by:
A. Writing and initiating plan of care
B. Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs
C. Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary
4. Initiates the plan of care and makes necessary revisions as patient status and needs change.
5. Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.
6. Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and the family in the planning process.
7. Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care.
8. Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.
9. Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan.
10. Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward
self-sufficiency and optional comfort care.
11. Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Supervisor and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.
Communication
1. Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s
condition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as
appropriate.
2. Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the
patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required.
3. Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.
4. Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provides medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers. Works in concert with the interdisciplinary group.
5. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
6. Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.
7. Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice interdisciplinary group to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.
8. Attends interdisciplinary group meetings.
Additional Duties:
1. Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy.
2. Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.
3. Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.
4. Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-service classes.
5. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.
6. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Graduate of a National League of Nursing accredited school of nursing.
2. Current licensure in California and current CPR certification.
3. Registered nurses shall have a minimum of (a) one (1) year of experience as a professional nurse within the last three (3) years OR (b) have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing and a current RN license. Minimum of two years’ experience, at least one of which is in the area of public health, home care, or hospice nursing is preferred.
4. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.
5. Management experience not required. Responsible for supervising hospice aides.
6. Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision.
7. Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, basic math skills; nursing skills per competency checklist.
8. Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift, position and/or transfer patients. Able to lift supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping bending, kneeling and/or crouching. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills.
LICENCED PRACTICAL / VOCATIONAL NURSE Job Description:
Reports To: Clinical Supervisor/Nursing Supervisor
Supervised By: Registered Nurse
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:
The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse is responsible for providing direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse. Responsibilities include following the plan of care, providing treatments, and working collaboratively with the members of the team to help meet positive patient care outcomes.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provides direct patient care as defined in State Nurse Practice Act, including specialized duties related to end of life care.
2. Implements current nursing practice following a comprehensive assessment and the plan of care.
3. Provide accurate and timely documentation of patient services to reflect the plan of care.
4. Assess and provide patient and family/caregiver education and information pertinent to diagnosis and self plan of care.
5. Participates in coordination of hospice services, appropriately reporting the identified needs to the interdisciplinary group. Examples include hospice aide, OT, PT, SW, ST, Dietician or Clinical Supervisor.
6. Uses and prepares equipment and supplies effectively, adhering to aseptic technique.
7. Provides appropriate pain/symptom management. Evaluates patient’s response to treatments/medications.
8. Participates in personal, professional growth and development. Also participates in organization’s quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
9. Performs other duties as assigned by the registered nurse.
The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Graduate of an accredited practical nurse or vocational nursing program.
2. Three years nursing experience. Community health/hospice or medical/surgical experience is preferred.
3. Currently licensed as an LPN/LVN in California.
4. Complies with accepted professional standards and practice.
5. Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.
6. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.
7. Possesses and maintains current CPR certification.
8. Understands philosophy of hospice concept. Also understands needs of the terminally ill.
CERTIFIED HOSPICE AIDE Job Description:
Reports To: Clinical Supervisor/Nursing Supervisor or Case Manager
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:
The hospice aide is a paraprofessional member of the interdisciplinary group who works under the supervision of a registered nurse and performs various services for a patient as necessary to meet the patient’s personal needs and to promote comfort. The hospice aide is responsible for observing the patient, reporting these observations and documenting observations and care performed. The hospice aide will be assigned by a Registered Nurse in a manner that promotes quality, continuity and safety of a patient’s care.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsibilities of the hospice aide include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Performing personal care needs after given a patient’s assignment and attending to his/her requests promptly. If unable to perform a certain task, report to the Case Manager immediately.
2. Providing patient and family with positive communication techniques, within realm of ethical
and respectful care, including confidentiality.
3. Meeting safety needs of patient and using equipment safely and properly (foot stools, side rails, O2 etc.)
4. Giving personal care including baths, back rubs, oral hygiene, shampoos and changing bed linen as often as assigned.
5. Assisting in dressing and undressing patients as assigned.
6. Planning and preparing nutritious meals, including shopping, as assigned.
7. Assisting in feeding the patient as assigned.
8. Taking and recording oral, rectal and auxiliary temperatures, pulse, respiration and blood pressure when ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency.
9. Providing proper care and observation of patient’s skin to prevent breakdown of tissue over bony prominence.
10. Assessing and reporting on patient’s condition and significant changes to the Case Manager. Also aware of the caregiver or other individuals living with the patient and interpersonal issues.
11. Assisting in ambulation and exercise as instructed by the hospice nurse or therapist.
12. Provide normal range of motion and transfers/positioning as directed.
13. Assistance with self-administered medications as allowed by state regulations, such as “reminders.”
14. Offering and assisting with bedpans and urinals. Providing assistance as assigned with light laundry needs.
15. Performing range of motion and other simple procedures as an extensional therapy service as ordered with appropriate completed/demonstrated skills competency.
16. Providing respite for patient’s/family/caregiver when on-site, as appropriate.
17. Keeping patient’s living area clean and orderly, as assigned.
18. Adhering to the organization’s documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct.
19. Participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
20. Respectful of patient and family/caregiver environment and patient’s personal needs.
The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and
responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to
perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
1. Meets the training requirements of the State of California.
2. Shows proof of registration on the Home Care Aide Registry through the Department of Social Services, Home Care Services Bureau, preferred.
3. At least 18 years of age.
4. Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care given.
5. Understands hospice philosophy, comfortable providing specialized care to the terminally ill.
6. Satisfactory references from previous employers.
7. Is self-directing with the ability to work with little direct supervision. Secure with issues of death/dying. Provides a calm manner when in a patient’s home.
8. Has empathy for the needs of the ill, injured, frail and the impaired.
9. Possess and maintains current CPR certification.
10. Demonstrates tact, patience and good personal hygiene.
11. Licensed driver with automobile that is insured in accordance with organization requirements and is in good working order.
12. Successfully completes a probationary period. This probationary period is to ensure the aide is competent in the above qualifications, and is documented by the supervisor and the employee.
JOB LIMITATIONS:
The hospice aide will not function in any manner viewed as the practice of nursing according to the Nurse Practice Act. Specifically, the hospice aide will not administer medications, take physician’s orders or perform procedures requiring the training, knowledge and skill of a licensed nurse, such as sterile techniques.
SKILLS REQUIRED:
1. Good oral and written communications
2. Good organizational skills
WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Community home environment
2. Exposure to infectious diseases
3. In and out of automobile
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