Hospice of the Valley Careers

Job Goal: 

• To provide professional nursing care to Hospice patients by utilizing all elements of the nursing process; and to initiate and apply appropriate preventative and therapeutic nursing procedures and techniques; and to maintain communication regarding patient care with the physician and supervisory personnel.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must be licensed as a Registered Nurse through the State Board of Nursing; and

2. Must be a graduate of an accredited school of professional registered nursing, BSN preferred; but not required.

3. Have had one (1) year med-surg experience with a hospice, home health, medical, surgical, or critical care experience; and

4. Possess and maintain a current CPR Certification; and

5. Must have and maintain current driver’s license and current automobile liability insurance.

6. Must successfully complete the post job offer physical and submit to periodic tuberculin skin tests or chest x-rays at agency expense.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience with providing good pain management, IV skills preferred: and

2. Committed to the Hospice philosophy and principles of death/dying; and

3. Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling role obligation, and have the ability to work within an Interdisciplinary Team; and

4. Have had home health care or nursing home experience desired; and

5. Possesses and maintains good physical stamina and mental health; and

6. Complies with accepted professional standards and principles and has the ability to work within an Interdisciplinary Team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Seeks and obtains sufficient information necessary to function effectively in the Hospice care settings where patient/family/caregivers require care.

2. Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of the nursing process.

3. Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by:

a. Writing and initiating Plan of Care

b. Regularly re-evaluating patient/family/caregiver needs

c. Revising the Plan of Care as necessary

4. Initiates and sustains as needed the implementation of orders for medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s Plan of Care.

5. Initiates and applies appropriate preventative and therapeutic nursing procedures and techniques and maintains communication regarding patient care with the physician and supervisory personnel.

6. Completes, maintains, and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given.

7. Uses supplies and equipment effectively and efficiently.

8. Observes the patient for changes in condition and reports these changes and the patient’s/family’s/caregiver’s needs to the attending physician and appropriate supervisory personnel. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.

9. Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optimal comfort care.

10. Teaches the patient/family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Educates patient/family/caregiver regarding “end of life” issues as appropriate. Provides medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health, counseling with patient/family/caregiver. Works in concert with other Hospice and Interdisciplinary Team members.

11. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.

12. Assists the patient/family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.

13. Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and Hospice Interdisciplinary Team members to meet the emotional needs of the patient/family/caregiver.

14. Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.

15. Performs within the limits of preparation and experience.

16. Accepts responsibility of assignment to perform a specialized procedure, such as IV Therapy, only when qualified with specialty training, proven competency, clinical background and expertise in the specialty area.

17. 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.

18. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.

19. Actively participates in Quality Management program.

20. Provides back-up on-call availability as assigned by the Clinical Care Manager.

21. Share coverage of on-call services if necessary.

22. Satisfactory return demonstration of the following skills: central line catheter, implanted ports, gastrostomy tube maintenance.

23. Understands that teamwork is a crucial part of our business, and can work well with colleagues, no matter the circumstances. Using individual skills, cooperates with others, and accepts and provides constructive feedback despite any personal conflicts between individuals involved.

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.

JOB GOAL: Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, provides professional nursing care to various areas, as needed, to implement treatment plans for Hospice patients by utilizing all elements of the nursing process; and to initiate and apply appropriate preventative and therapeutic nursing procedures and techniques; and to maintain communication regarding patient care with the physician and supervisory personnel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Is a graduate of an accredited practical nurse or vocational nursing program; and

2. Have had at least two (2) years of experience in a health care industry; and

3. Maintains a current licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Alabama; and

4. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or Agency requirements and is in good working order; and

5. Must successfully complete the post job offer physical and submit to periodic tuberculin skin tests or chest x-rays at agency expense.

6. Possesses and maintains a current CPR certification.

7. Possesses and maintains good physical stamina and mental health.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

1. Complies with accepted professional standards and practice.

2. Understands all aspects of terminal care with expertise in pain and symptom management and hospice nursing.

SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, accepts assignments and reviews plans of care prior to start of care.

2. Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of the nursing process.

3. Assists the RN with the development of an individualized plan of care as necessary, based on patient/family needs.

4. Follows the implementation of orders for medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s Plan of Care.

5. Notifies physician and appropriate supervisory personnel of any changes in the patient’s condition and keeps physician updated on patient’s progress.

6. Completes, maintains, and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given.

7. Observes the patient for changes in condition and reports these changes and the patient’s/family’s/caregiver’s needs to the attending physician and appropriate supervisory personnel. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.

8. Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optimal comfort care.

9. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.

10. Assists the patient/family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.

11. Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and Hospice Interdisciplinary Team members to meet the emotional needs of the patient/family/caregiver.

12. Uses supplies and equipment effectively and efficiently.

13. Accepts responsibility of assignment to perform a specialized procedure, only when qualified with specialty training, proven competency, clinical background, and expertise in the specialty area.

14. 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.

15. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.

16. Provides back-up on-call availability as assigned by the Clinical Care Manager.

17. Utilizes current Agency and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

18. Performs other duties as required.

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.