Registered Nurse - Home Care

JOB SUMMARY
The In-patient RN is responsible for working with the team to help treat patients with various illnesses. The duties include communicating with doctors, other nurses, family members and the patient. This position is hands on. Must support the Connecticut Hospices vision, mission, and operating principles.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• We provide quality, compassionate, and competent hospice and palliative care.
• We support families with their decision-making.
• We support families with participation in caring for their loved ones.
• We aid in enhancing the quality of life for all our patients, for as long as their life lasts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
General:

• Take and record measurements of blood pressure, temperature, heart rate etc.
• Observe patients under treatment to identify progress, side-effects of medications etc.
• Monitor patients condition including fluid intake and output and document in the electronic medical record.
• Assist ailing patients in daily necessary activities such as eating, bathing etc.
• Plans and provides care, within the framework of policies, procedures, and available resources.
• Administer injections, prescribed medications, enemas etc., clean and dress wounds and assist with other basic medical care tasks.
• Collect samples for lab testing as ordered by the medical provider.
• Provide emotional and psychological support to patients and their family when needed.
• Performs health assessment including patient history and physical examination.
• Performs procedures, according to policies. Performs preventive screening according to ages and history.
• Formulates appropriate nursing diagnoses, based on history, physical examination, and clinical findings.
• Plans and provides care, within the framework of policies, procedures, and available resources.
• Involves the patient/family in planning care.
• Oversees pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies, according to policy and incorporates them into the plan of care.
• Provides patient/family education related to the nursing plan of care.
• Evaluates effectiveness of plan of care and interventions by comparing patients/significant other/family responses to planned outcome.
• Completes patient discharge summaries and communicates with the IDT Team for a safe patient discharge.
• Teaches/Educates patients and families prior to discharge and documents in the electronic medical record and patient discharge summary.
• Completes Nursing Admissions thoroughly, professionally and in a timely manner.
• Collaborates and Communicates with the IDT during the admission process.
• Proficient in weekly IDT meetings and or the understanding of.
• Collaborates appropriately with all members of the health care team.
• Documents in a thorough and timely manner.
• Participates in the education of health care professionals and students through mentoring, precepting, in services, seminars and formal presentations.
• Participates and complies with the timely completion of The Connecticut Hospice Learning Portal-Relias.
• Participates in own performance evaluation and establishment of plan for self-development and learning. Sets learning goals.
• Overseeing Licensed practical Nurses and overseeing Certified Nursing Assistants.
• Must travel to see patients in private homes, LTC, and/or hospitals.

Health & Safety:

• Report and take required action regarding injuries, incidents, medical, and accidents required by policy.
• Make the health, safety, protection of rights, and the development of all employees your primary responsibilities.
• Effectively manage medical and first aid emergencies.
• Follow all agency safety/medical related policies and procedures.
• Follow fire evacuation and disaster procedures correctly and in a timely manner.
• Report unsafe situations immediately; ensuring safety is imperative.
• Ensure pertinent emergency telephone numbers are readily available.
• Report symptoms and signs of communicable diseases immediately.
• Consistently use universal precautions.
• Report any incident that could potentially result in negative reactions from the community, law enforcement officers, and other agencies to the supervisor immediately.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICIATIONS, and TRAININGS

• Must have Bachelors or higher degree in Nursing from an accredited school. 
• Must possess a Current, in good standing, RN License to practice in Connecticut. 
• Must have at least 1 year of working experience. 
• Must have excellent communication skills and speak in public.
• Must pay attention to details.
• Capacity to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling of confidential information.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule; including at different sites and programs as needed.  
• Ability to maintain assigned work hours. 
• Must have reliable transportation. 

COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office Word and Excel, Outlook, plus word processing and presentation software. 
• Ability to operate media equipment such as tablets, smartphones, and other electronic equipment. 
• Ability to work with general office equipment.
• Ability to work with and understand databases a must and the ability to learn technical skills.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Shall have essential physical skills; be able to run, squat, stoop/bend, kneel, climb stairs, be able to lift at least 50 pounds (or ¼ own body weight), push/pull against potential resistance, and be able to implement non-physical and physical interventions and CPR with individuals supported when needed.
• Shall have adequate vision, reading, writing, and documentation skills, and hearing to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Must have enough endurance to perform tasks over long periods of time. 
• Will be engaged in speaking, sitting, walking, driving, listening, and in communicating both orally and in writing while performing his or her duties. 
• Must be able to listen and respond to questions and instructions.

The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.
The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the variety of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the incumbent a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change, so, too, may the essential functions of this position.