Registered Nurse - Homecare

Title: Registered Nurse - Homecare

Job Code: RN HOMECARE

Revised Date: 5/6/2024

Department: Clinical Operations

Status: Exempt

Job Summary: The Registered Nurse provides skilled nursing care and support to individuals and families based on an ongoing nursing assessment of need. They plan, implement, and evaluate the nursing care provided; and, provide care and assistance to patients and families during scheduled on-call hours.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Functions within standards of Nurse Practice Act
• Completes initial assessment of home care needs, including physical, emotional and mental status.
• Visits assigned patients as least weekly for physical, emotional and pain assessment using information derived from assessment to assist with symptom management.
• Prepares and implements treatment plan for patient and family at IDT meetings. Updates the plan as needs change.
• Provides direct nursing care to patients working to maintain highest level of comfort and quality of life.
• Assumes responsibility for maintaining contact with primary physician while accepting and following through with physician orders. Documents this accurately.
• Clarifies all physician orders and questions any unusual or inappropriate requests.
• Assists in the coordination of services with other agencies involved in patient care (i.e. equipment rental, medication, and supplies).
• Provides a safe patient care environment (i.e. drug disposal, sharps disposal and universal precautions).
• Orders needed medications, supplies and equipment.
• Teaches the primary caregiver and/or family proper use of medications, supplies, and equipment. Evaluates use.
• Accountable for the administration and independent performance of therapeutic and diagnostic measures in a safe and accurate manner; includes but not limited to use of glucometer, obtaining and processing lab specimens, PCA-CADD care (site change, dressing change, cassette change and programming), I.V. therapy, access and maintenance of Groshong/Hickman/PortaCath, and internal feedings.
• Informs team members of patient’s condition and other supportive needs or concerns, such as spiritual, financial, emotional. Teaches family members patient care skills and encourages participation in pain control, hygiene, nutrition, and dressing changes in accordance with the plan of care and physician orders.
• Maintains up-to-date and accurate records so that problems, actions and goals are appropriate, accurate, legible and clearly stated in a timely manner.
• Keeps supervisor and office staff aware of changes in level of care, diagnostic testing, consults, transfers, implementation of continuous care, discharges and deaths.
• Works with the Volunteer Coordinator to provide family with additional support when needed.
• Supervises LPN and/or CNA assisting with patient care. Reports any difficulties to Director of Clinical Services.
• Responsible for patient’s recertification. Ensuring patients continue to be appropriate for hospice services following criteria guidelines set by CMS intermediary.
• Is familiar with hospice policies and procedures.
• Attends and is an active participant in staff and IDT meetings.
• May provide bereavement support by attending funeral or visitation services.
• Follows the guidelines for universal precautions when providing patient care.
• Adheres to all policies, procedures and regulations regarding patient care, conduct, safety, fire, security, risk management and patient privacy rules.
• Participates with on-call coverage as scheduled to provide 24-hour care, including evenings, weekends, and holiday as scheduled and consistent with Community Hospice policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Articulates and demonstrates professional image daily to employees, patients, and the public.
• Serves as a role model to reinforce organizational policies and procedures and all regulations.
• Conducts all activities in an honest and ethical manner.
• Exhibits qualities of empathy, responsibility, dependability, and intelligence.
• Conducts all tasks in a safe and efficient manner, complying with all local, state, and federal safety and health regulations.
• Exhibits professional demeanor and appropriate decision-making in stressful situations.
• Must demonstrate effective communication skills and maintain good working relationships with team members, patients, family members, physicians and other health care providers in the community.
• Must have the ability to supervise others.
• Must have the ability to organize and assess.
• Must have ability to work independent of direct on-site supervision.
• Must be able to participate in the federal and state healthcare programs.
• Must be able to pass a driving records check (upon hire and annually), criminal background check, and drug screens (pre-employment and randoms).
• Must maintain automobile liability insurance.
• Must arrange travel and be able to access patient homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and other places of business independently.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Graduate of an approved school of nursing with current licensure in the state of Kentucky and Ohio.
• Knowledge of current trends and techniques in nursing practices.
• Two years’ experience in a patient care position in a hospital, nursing home, or related health care facility.
• Continuing education requirements will be maintained in accordance with the State of Kentucky and Ohio requirements for licensure and/or certification.

Physical Requirements:

• Must observe universal precautions.
• Must meet physical requirements for position.
• Must pass in-house physical with good results.
• Must be able to walk, lift, push/pull, stand, sit, stoop, read, write, drive, type on keyboard, and potentially have an irregular schedule.
• Must be able to work in an environment with potential for noisy, dusty, dirty, poor ventilation, exposure to disease, and on-call conditions.