SUMMARY: To provide personal care services to the terminally ill hospice patient as needed, under the direction of the RN. To provide assistance and understanding to the family and in time of bereavement. To work as a member of the Hospice team in providing Hospice care within the guidelines of the IDG care plan. Essential Functions: 1. Under the direction and ongoing supervision of the registered nurse, provides essential personal care assistance to the patient in accordance with the plan of care and shall be supervised by a registered nurse in accordance with applicable laws and regulations: Bath, care of mouth, skin and hair. Bathroom or in using bedpan or commode. Bed transfers as well as ambulation activities as ordered under the care plan. Range of motion exercises which the Aide has been taught by appropriate professional personnel. Performing such incidental household services as are essential to the patient’s well being at home. Performance of simple procedures as an extension of therapy services. Preparing meals including special diet. Takes a patient’s temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure if assigned by a registered nurse. Assists with shopping if the patient has no other resource available. Assistance with medications that are ordinarily self-administered. 2. Provides emotional support and compassionate care to the patient and family unit. Demonstrates listening skills. Offers encouragement when appropriate. Practices patience in voice and manner. 3. Maintains required competency and skills. Documented initial and ongoing every 14 day supervision and evaluation by RN on each case assignment. Participates in annual performance review. 4. Reports any changes in the patient’s condition or family situation immediately by calling the Hospice office and notifying the RN. 5. Practices Standard Precautions according to OSHA regulations and policy. 6. Adheres to all policies and procedural guidelines. 7. Attends at least twelve (12) hours of in-service education programs per year. 8. Maintains current certification as required by the State. 9. Maintains current knowledge and practice of infectious disease protocols.
SUMMARY The Licensed 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 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Provides direct patient care as defined in State Nurse Practice Act. Implements current nursing practice following a comprehensive assessment and the plan of care. Provide accurate and timely documentation of patient services to reflect the plan of care. Assess and provide patient and family/caregiver education and information pertinent to diagnosis and self-plan of care. Participates in coordination of hospice services, appropriately reporting the identified needs to the interdisciplinary group. Examples include hospice aide, OT, PT, MSW, ST, Dietitian or Clinical Supervisor/Nursing Supervisor. Uses equipment and supplies effectively and efficiently. Provides appropriate pain/symptom management. Evaluates patient’s response to treatments/medications. Participates in personal, professional growth and development. Also participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities. Performs other duties as assigned by the registered nurse.
SUMMARY The Registered Nurse provides skilled nursing care for assigned hospice patients. The RN works cooperatively with the other members of the Interdisciplinary Hospice Team. The RN provides intermittent visits or shifts of care, performs prescribed medical treatments, provides nursing observations, provides teaching regarding the expected course of the disease, care techniques and other health measure to the patient, family, or primary care giver, and participates in the care plan. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Patient Care Completes initial, comprehensive and ongoing assessments of patient and family to determine hospice needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illnesses. Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process. Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by: Writing and initiating plan of care Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis. Uses equipment and supplies effectively and efficiently. 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. Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care. Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs. Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan. Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care. Communication Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate. Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required. Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan. 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. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient. Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care. Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice Interdisciplinary Group Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver. Attends interdisciplinary group meetings. Additional Duties Responsible for providing oversight to the LVNs in the Post-Acute Care’s Medication Reconciliation Program. Responsible for timely completion of the medication reconciliation of Allied members post discharge. Work with the Medication Reconciliation Program manager to monitor daily, weekly completion rates and meet regularly with the Director of Post-Acute Care to report progress. Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy. Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available. Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required. 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. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
