After Hours Nurse (Hospice)

I. GENERAL SUMMARY

The hospice must designate a registered nurse to coordinate the implementation of the POC for each patient.

II. MISSION STATEMENT

This facility is operated by Allegiance Healthcare Hospice and Palliative Care.Our Mission is to provide the highest standard of care to our patients and the entire community that surrounds each patient. We strive to holistically meet their spiritual, social and clinical needs in the most peaceful, dignified and comforting manner possible.

III. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

The registered nurse shall identify the patient/family’s physical, psychosocial, and environmental needs and reassess as needed but no less than every 14 days:

• Assumes responsibility for evenings, weekends, and holidays on call duty as scheduled and consistent with this agency’s policies and procedures
• Provide nursing services in accordance with the POC
• Document problems, appropriate goals, interventions, and patient/family response to hospice care
• collaborate with the patient/family attending physician and other members of the IDT in providing patient and family care
• Instruct patient/family in self care techniques when appropriate
• Supervise ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required
• Complete and submit accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding the patient’s condition into the clinical record within one week of the visit
• If a hospice aide/homemaker is assigned to a patient by the RN in accordance with the POC, specific written instructions for patient care are to be prepared by the RN.All personal care services are to be outlined for the patient in writing, by the RN in charge of that patient
• Supervise and evaluate the hospice aide ability to perform assigned duties, to relate to the patient and to work effectively as a member of the health care team
• Perform supervisory visits to the patient’s residence at least every 14 days to assess relationships and determine whether goals are being met. A supervisory visit with the aide present must be made at least annually. Documentation of the aide present supervisory visit shall be placed in the hospice aide’s personnel record
• Document supervision to include the aide-patient relationships, services provided and instructions and comments given as well as other requirements of the clinical note; and
• Annual performance review for each aide documented in the individual’s personnel record
• Annually conduct an on-site LPN supervisory visit with the LPN present. Documentation of such visit shall be kept in the LPN’s personnel record.

IV. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

QUALIFICATIONS:

• licensed registered nurse must be currently licensed to practice in the state of Louisiana with no restrictions:
• With at least two years FULL time experience as a registered nurse. However, two years of full time clinical experience in hospice care as a licensed practical nurse may be substituted for the required two years of experience as a registered nurse; and
• Be an employee of the hospice. If the registered nurse is employed by more than one agency, he or she must inform all employers and coordinate duties to assure qualified service provision.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING

The registered nurse shall annually obtain at least two hours of continuing education hours related to end of life care.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Has not been excluded from participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs.
• Maintains eligibility to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs throughout employment
• Capable of providing emergency care as needed for any patient
• Maintains a neat, well groomed appearance at all times. Keeps personal appearance appropriate for patient care.
• Ability and willingness to participate appropriately in a disaster or evacuation situation.
• Participate in pre-employment and annual Tuberculosis screening.