On Call Registered Nurse Home Care

Description

Provide on-call direct patient care for Hospice patients in the home setting  

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: 

· Current NC license as a registered 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 a flexible schedule 

· 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, as requested 

· Participate in quality improvement program 

· Adhere to strict confidentiality  

· Adhere to safety policy and practices 

· Complete employee time record accurately on a timely basis 

· 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 

· Be available by telephone or cellular telephone and respond within 15 minutes 

· Communicate with on-call team members and patient care unit staff on regular basis 

·  Evaluate the physical, financial, psychological, spiritual, and  pre-bereavement needs of the patient/family in coordination with  interdisciplinary team 

· Assist in assessing patient appropriateness for services  

· If patient is not appropriate, recommend other services available, with referrals to other community agencies, as appropriate 

· Educate patient and family about Hospice services  

·  Coordinate the development of the plan of  care with goals defined by  the patient/family and the hospice team updating as changes occur 

· Coordinate medication administration, education and assure accuracy   

· Communicate patient/family information to the interdisciplinary team 

· Update the plan of care as patient condition changes 

· Provide nursing services according to the plan of care  

· Evaluate the need for other services and make referral as needed in coordination with the social worker 

· Teach the primary caregiver, sitter, and home health aide by role model, repetition, and reinforcement 

· Provide ongoing supervision along with assessment of continuing needs for patient/family teaching 

· Instruct caregiver in emergency response and anticipate change 

· Make regular visits as ordered by the physician and as needed 

·  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 

· Promote independence and responsibility throughout the course of the disease 

· Provide emotional support 

· Actively listen to patient and family concerns 

· Support individual coping mechanisms  

· Provide services at the time of death 

· Assist with bereavement follow-up attending receivings and funeral services as appropriate 

·  Evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions on a regular basis  and whenever changes occur in the patient/family situation 

· Communicate with physician as needed and required by regulations 

· Maintain current knowledge and competency in providing care to terminally ill patients and their families 

· Assist with nursing  care on patient care unit as directed by supervisor 

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