Job Summary
This individual will plan, organize, and directs hospice care and is experienced in nursing, with emphasis on community health education / experience.
The professional nurse builds from the resources of the community to plan and direct services to meet the needs of individual and families within their homes and communities.
Responsibilities
Patient Care
Completes an initial , comprehensive and ongoing comprehensive assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs.
Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).
Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process and as defined in the state Nurse Practice Act.
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
Initiates the plan of care and makes necessary revisions as patient status and needs change.
Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.
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 an appropriate per assessment and plan.
Assists the patient with activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care.
Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Supervisor and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.
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 concerts with the interdisciplinary group.
Provides and