Job Details

Provides nursing care, education and support to the patient/family and/or care givers on a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week basis, as assigned. Promotes professional integrity. Participates in interdisciplinary team.  Triages calls and prioritizes patient/family/agency needs to ensure the highest levels of service and care are given.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

            Include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Demonstrates the clinical knowledge, assessment skills and judgment to utilize the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, provide supervision and evaluate each patient's nursing care.
• Provides nursing service to the patient consistent with knowledge, training and experience.
• Educates Patient/Family/Caregiver/Facility Staff on administration of medication, symptom management and pain control as directed by physicians and Hospice of Marion County, Inc. standing orders and protocol when applicable.
• Maintains progress notes/nursing notes, including assessment, education offered, standard precautions, and changes in orders.
• Records observation of reactions and any side effects of medications.
• Informs the team RN Clinical Manager (RNCM) or designee of the patient's disease progression and all other appropriate clinical matters concerning the patient/family unit for which she/he has responsibility
• Adheres to professional standards of practice for nursing.
• Assesses the patient's physical and emotional condition.   Demonstrates understanding of Interdisciplinary Team concept, cooperating and working with all team members for effective patient care; follows plan of care.
• Maintains an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of local, state and federal laws impacting upon the practice of nursing in the Hospice setting.

• Collaborates with community organizations, physicians other on-call employees and Administrator On-Call to resolve patients issues and ensure optimal care during off hours.
• Ensures compliance with each contract vendor as contract relates to care plan, approved Hospice services, and appropriate supplies and medications provided by Hospice.
• Educates patient/caregiver on proper and safe use of durable medical equipment and oxygen administration.

• Maintains Standard Precautions and uses necessary personal protective equipment, in order to maintain a safe environment in conjunction with OSHA regulations.
• Requests Chaplain/Volunteer services as indicated by patient and/or family to assist in spiritual support, comfort or respite care.

• Completes and submits all required documentation in a timely manner according to policy, including but not limited to, progress notes, Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) Reports; Time and Travel Logs; Phone Logs, Transfer/ Discharge Summaries, and Incident Reports.

• Collaborates with primary physician on an ongoing basis to insure optimal symptom control and continuity of care plan.                                                       
• Provides coverage for peers during vacations and other times of agency need.
• Maintains current knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid benefits, Co-op, private insurance, supportive care, continuous care and in-patient requirement.

STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES:

• Participates proactively in improving performance at the individual, departmental and organizational levels.
• Actively sets goals related to the Strategic Challenges and is accountable for meeting goals at annual evaluation.
• Reports to work and meetings at expected times, prepared to work, and adheres to scheduled hours.
• Utilizes work time effectively and completes quality work in prescribed time using appropriate time management skills and resources.
• Provides superior customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Cooperates and functions as a team member within the organization.
• Exhibits flexibility and demonstrates dependability within the organization.
• Demonstrates courtesy and respect when dealing with fellow staff members, volunteers, and customers.
• Demonstrates willingness to accept responsibility and accountability in assigned duties.
• Demonstrates ability to perform job under stressful situations.
• Exhibits exceptional communications skills.
• Complies with policies, procedures and standard practices.
• Represents Hospice of Marion County, Inc. professionally at all times through positive customer interactions, exceptional written and verbal communications and appropriate business attire/ personal appearance.
• Complies with all Federal, State, and local government regulations, maintaining a strong position against fraud and abuse.
• Adheres to all safety and security policies.
• Maintains the confidentiality of patients, families, colleagues, customers, other sensitive situations and adheres to all HIPAA policies.
• Uses resources in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Promotes Hospice of Marion County, Inc. through participation in community and professional organizations.
• Shares expertise with co-workers both formally and informally.
• Understands, adheres to and promotes the Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Participates in orienting new employees, volunteers and students.
• Meets or exceeds Quality Improvement Standards and Standards of Excellence in all areas of practice.
• Remains in the service area during emergencies, and as appropriate and/or as scheduled, to work up to, during, and after the emergency to assist in providing quality care to all patients/clients. If you reside in a mandatory evacuation area and so must evacuate, or if there are any special family needs that need to be accommodated, management must be notified. Management will be sensitive to those needs but must be kept apprised of your location and a source of contact during an emergency so that, if required, they are able to reach you.  (See Policy A/HR-510)

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum Associates Degree in Nursing; Nursing Diploma, BSN, MSN, preferred.
• Must be a Registered Nurse with a license issued by the Florida Board of Nursing.
• Must have a minimum of (1) one year clinical nursing experience; (2) two or more years clinical nursing experience preferred. Hospice or Home Care experience preferred.
• Current Basic life support (BLS) CPR Certification Required.
• Follows all safety precautions when lifting/moving heavy items and properly utilizes necessary lifting/moving equipment.
• Must have a Valid Florida drivers License, maintain current auto insurance coverage and have access to a reliable automobile. Knowledge of Marion County. Good driving skills, including defensive driving.  I understand that if I drive a company vehicle in the course of my primary job responsibilities, I am required to have no more than six (6) points for speeding or traffic violations for the past two years and that I am required to report any traffic citations received by me and to report any suspension or revocation of my driving privilege by the State of Florida to my supervisor immediately.  Further, I understand that I may be disciplined and/or my employment may be terminated if I am found guilty of DUI, reckless driving or other negligence.
• Ability to work unsupervised in the field, exercising discretion and independent judgment.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations, as well as documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, patients/families or employees.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and ability to demonstrate essential usage.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to operate a facsimile, copy machines, computers and other common office machines, with working knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, Excel and other software appropriate to positions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; stand and reach with hands and arms; to talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.

• The employee must frequently lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move a bed bound patient who is unable to assist with his/her own care, using the appropriate equipment and/or techniques; weight may vary 10-250+ pounds.
• Physical ability to access any home, hospital, Nursing Home, Doctor’s Office, or Assisted Living Facility.
• Ability to communicate with customers and provide feedback.
• Frequent mobility in and out of offices and buildings.
• Frequent use of hands and arms to reach, lift, carry and move objects.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.
• Conditions of work environment may vary depending on patient location.
• Possible contact with communicable diseases.
• Frequently works in outside weather conditions.
• Noise level in work environment is usually moderate.