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QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

+ Graduate of an accredited school of professional (registered) nursing. BSN preferred.

+ Maintains license as a Registered Nurse from the State of Michigan.

+ At least one year's general nursing experience is required with current Hospice, medical, surgical, or critical care experience. Has experience with providing good pain/symptom management, IV skills preferred.

+ Maintains current BLS certification.

+ Experience with issues concerning the terminally ill, and death/dying, and pain and symptom management.

+ Has presented a negative TB skin test and/or chest X-ray and other tests as required by Centrica Care Navigators.

+ Maintains a valid Michigan driver’s license and has the a vailability of a reliable, licensed and insured vehicle for use on the job, vehicle must be insured in accordance with the State of Michigan

+ Remains up-to-date on all routine immunizations required by LARA and agency policy.

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The RN provides skilled professional nursing care to the patient/family/caregiver as prescribed by the physician and in compliance with regulations as established by the State Board of Registered Nursing, the patient, and the policies of Centrica Care Navigators.

+ Supervising Hospice Aides

+ Coordination of care

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

+ Seeks and obtains sufficient information necessary to function effectively in the Hospice setting where patient/family/caregiver requires care.

+ Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process.

+ Assesses and evaluates patient's status by:

+ + Writing and initiating a Plan of Care;

+ + Regularly re-evaluating patient/family/caregiver needs; and

+ + Revising the Plan of Care as necessary

+ Initiates and sustains as needed the implementation of orders for medications and treatments as prescribed by the attending physician or designee.

+ Initiates and applies appropriate preventative and therapeutic nursing procedures and techniques and maintains communication regarding patient care with the attending physi­cian or designee, Director of Nursing, and other members of the Interdisciplinary Group.

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

+ Processes workflow for electronic medical record as needed.

+ Uses supplies and equipment effectively and efficiently.

+ Observes the patient for changes in condition and reports these changes and the patient /family/caregiver’s needs to the attending physician and appropriate members of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Group. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.

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

+ Individualizes and teaches the patient /family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provides medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the attending physician or designee and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patient’s/families/caregivers. Works together with the other Interdisciplinary Group members.

+ Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.

+ Assesses and evaluates patient’s nutritional status as needed and provides counseling and/or nutritional recommendations.

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

+ Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and the Interdisciplinary Group members to meet the emotional needs of the patient /family/caregiver.

+ Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.

+ Performs within the limits of preparation and experience.

+ 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.

+ Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and inservice classes.

+ Shares in responsibility of providing 24 hours per day, seven (7) days a week on-call coverage to patients/families/caregivers.

+ Attends Interdisciplinary Group meetings.

+ Stays informed about changes in the field of Hospice care; shares information with appropriate Hospice personnel and administrative personnel.

+ Promotes Hospice referrals in the community; maintains a good standing in the community.

Duties

+ Actively participates in agency-wide performance improvement activities.

+ Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ standards of personal and professional conduct.

+ Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the Hospice philosophy of care, agency mission, and vision.

+ Ensures that all necessary information is shared with appropriate personnel.

+ Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ Workplace Safety Program.

+ Understands and complies with Hospice Medicare and Medicaid conditions of participation.

+ Complies with applicable local, federal and state regulations, compliance guidelines, privacy protections and protected health information.

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.

TYPES OF EQUIPMENT USED

Microcomputer and a wide variety of medical/clinical equipment, tools, and supplies.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS

+ Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills critical thinking skills, and nursing skills.

+ Excellent organizational skills.

+ Ability to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values.

+ Familiar with various reimbursements and the implications for case management.

+ Good internal and external organizational sensitivity.

+ Strong clinical skills with emphasis on knowledge of physical assessment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

+ General office, multi-office sites, and floors.

+ In and out of automobile.

+ Community and home environment, including adult foster care homes, assisted living, nursing homes, or other residence of the patient.

+ Exposure to infectious disease.

+ Frequent telephone activity.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

A typical eight (8) hour workday includes intermittent sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, twisting, and occasionally carrying 0 - 50 pounds (1 to 33% of time), pushing, pulling, and repetitive hand motions associated with writing and computer keyboard typing.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Centrica personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, Centrica personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities. All personnel must attend mandatory educational programs.