1. Completes nursing assessment and updates plan of care, including the patient and the family in the planning process.
2. Provides direct Hospice nursing care to patients in order to maintain highest level of comfort and quality of life, and regularly assesses for patient nursing care needs.
3. Manages the individualized patient/family plan of care and makes necessary revisions as status/needs change.
4. Consults with physician for appropriate orders and communicates patients condition changes and the needs for medical intervention.
5. Initiates appropriate interventions and monitors the outcomes.
6. Educates the patient/family as appropriate per assessment and care plan, and encourages their participation.
7. Records accurate and timely documentation of patient and family contacts and updates the interdisciplinary team.
8. Coordinates Hospice nursing care when outside agency involvement is required.
9. Assists in providing 24 hour per day/seven day a week on-call coverage to patients and families.
10. Ensures necessary medical equipment, supplies, and services are available.
11. Completes Home Health Aide assignment as needed and makes supervisory visits every 14 days to instruct, supervise, and evaluate home health aid care provided.
12. In the RN case manager role she/he is designated as the IDG coordinator and is responsible for collaborating with other IDG team members to ensure that patient and family needs are met.
13. Communicates as needed with appropriate external services providers to insure patient/family needs are effectively being met.

The above statements are intended 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.

All employees are required to comply with the policies and procedures of Hospice of Holland, Inc. and with all state, federal, and other regulatory requirements. They will also comply with confidentiality laws as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices as well as accepted professional standards and practice.

1. Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and current licensure in State of Michigan.
2. Experience: Has two years of recent clinical experience. Home care or Hospice experience is desired.

Demonstrates excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, basic math skills. Has organizational skills and exercises good nursing judgment.

1. Understands hospice philosophy and issues of death/dying.
2. Demonstrates competency in pain and symptom management with EOL care.

Quality Orientation ( Attention to Detail) — Accomplishing tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks; being watchful over a period of time.

Managing Work (Includes Time Management) — Effectively managing one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

Initiating Action — Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.

Building Customer Loyalty — Effectively meeting customer needs; building productive customer relationships; taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Contributing to Team Success — Actively participating as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals.

Continuous Learning — Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application.

General Supervision – Normally receives little instruction or control for day-to-day work. Receives guidance in terms of assignments and objectives and only the final results of work are typically reviewed. The employee plans the sequence of detailed steps to accomplish the work using experience and education and solves, through initiative, most problems of detail that come up in the course of work. Interprets policies and guidelines and applies them to routine situations that arise. Personally responsible for accomplishing prescribed results and objectives, and has considerable freedom while the work is in progress. May provide technical/informational guidance to Hospice Aides.

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee must also be required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust and focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift, position and/or transfer patients. Able to lift supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping bending, kneeling and/or crouching. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills

The working conditions described here are representative of those encountered in the job. Specific conditions may be different than those described. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

1. Meets with patients in their homes and within facilities. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations.
2. Daily travel is required in all weather conditions on roads in varying degrees of repair. Must be able to service any area Hospice covers as needed.
3. Work schedule will include occasional holiday, weekend and/or evening coverage, on-call hours and overtime.

Hospice personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, Hospice personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities. Must complete appropriate Hospice Orientation Training (HOP) sessions as determined by their supervisor.