Clinical Educator

Hospice of San Joaquin is the oldest not-for-profit hospice, with over 46 years. We serve all of San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. We are committed to continuing to be the leader in ensuring the quality of the journey, from a serious illness to the end of life, and to honor our mission by honoring life by ensuring patients and their Caregivers are the focus of everything we do. We are seeking a Dynamic, self-motivated Hospice Clinical Educator who thrives in a fast-paced environment and supports our mission.

Sign-On Bonus:

$1,000.00 for Registered Nurse paid out in 2 equal payments over 12 months

POSITION PURPOSE/SUMMARY:

The Hospice Educator provides training and education to Hospice of San Joaquin clinicians, as well as the clinical staff of our community partners, to foster an understanding of end-of-life care. The Hospice Educator will also support Nursing Leadership and the Director of Quality and Compliance in developing and monitoring clinical quality standards that align with Hospice conditions of payment and participation. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITY

• In collaboration with the Director of Quality and Compliance and Chief Clinical Officer or designee, serves as a resource to Clinical Managers in the training and development of hospice clinicians (RN, LVN, SW, Chaplain, and HHA):

• Develops and coordinates a comprehensive nursing orientation program.

• Oversees the development and ongoing use of HSJ’s simulation lab to train clinical staff on established visit/patient care models.

• Develops a formal, individual, position-specific checklist, which will be signed off as part of the new employee orientation process

• Holds an annual skills lab educational event for the clinical field staff

• In collaboration with the Director of Quality and Compliance and Nursing leadership, supports ongoing clinical quality efforts, including:

• Identifies and develops clinical documentation and patient care standards in alignment with state/federal regulations and best-known practices.

• Provides training to clinicians on documentation/patient care standards

• Monitors the quality of clinical documentation/patient care via regular audits

• Collaborates with clinical supervisors in providing focused training activities to address identified performance improvement opportunities

• Develops, coordinates, and presents continuing educational/certification programs to Hospice clinicians, including:

• Oversees HHA In-Service training in compliance with CMS regulations. Responsible for HHA/CNA and CE program license renewal and notification of licensing for any changes to approved topics and instructors.

• Maintains files of lesson plans for all programs taught to the HHAs and CNAs, and all IDT in-services, and ensures training records are retained per company retention policies.

• Communicates availability of learning opportunities, whether on-site or online

• Responsible for maintaining authoritative and up-to-date resource information for hospice

• Oversees In-Service training for Hospice clinicians in partnership with the HSJ’s Medical Director and Chief Clinical Officer or designee

• Serves as a resource to RNs, LVNs, SW, Chaplain, and HHA/CNAs regarding professional licensure renewal and hospice/palliative care certification (CHPN/A).

• Responsible for HSJ CEU Program

• Monitors the performance of the program under the guidance of the Compliance Officer/QAPI Coordinator, continually taking appropriate steps, as directed, to improve patient care and promote increased patient satisfaction and quality 

• Displays proficiency in the utilization of the company’s Electronic Medical Record (EMR), assists in EHR training using MyUnity, as a primary education resource, and also acts as an EHR resource for program staff.

• Serves as a CPR Instructor and assists with maintaining annual compliance with federal and state requirements

• Provides training to clinicians within the community on end-of-life and Hospice-specific clinical issues.

• Develops, coordinates, and presents in-service training in SNFs, RCFEs, and medical offices.

• Coordinates Hospice of San Joaquin's involvement in providing hospice/palliative care training experiences to nursing students, as well as other local RN/NP/MD Students/residents.

• Participates in Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) committee meetings as needed 

• Assists leadership in the development of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to ensure that education related to high-risk problem-prone areas is provided to address identified deficiencies 

• Provides ongoing education to All Staff related to Mandatory Annual Education requirements through in-services and other forms of education; in-person or online using the agency’s Learning System

• Develops a tracking system and follows up with all staff members to ensure their education requirements are completed in a timely manner.

• Provides a summary of educational programs and one-on-one teaching outcomes as requested 

• Participates in identifying and suggesting improvement strategies and solutions for individuals and program challenges

• Works in collaboration with all program departments 

• Understands and adheres to the organization’s compliance and privacy program 

• Performs ongoing audits of clinical charts, patient eligibility, pre-bill audits, and other internal audits, as directed, that measure regulatory, clinical compliance, and skills as requested.

Direct Patient Care – as needed

The Hospice Educator may, from time to time, provide direct nursing care including, but not limited to, the following:

• Actively participating in the coordination of all aspects of patient care, in accordance with current professional standards and practice.

• Participating in admission, discharge planning, and ongoing patient assessments.

• Developing, evaluating, and adjusting the patient’s Plan of Care (POC) as indicated; consults Clinical Manager before major changes in the patient’s POC.

• Contributing to patient and family counseling and education and providing support to patients/families regarding patient care services.

• Collaborating with physicians and staff regarding patients’ changing conditions.

Compliance and Quality Improvement

The Hospice Educator plays an important role in the agency’s compliance with state and federal regulations, quality assurance, and performance improvement. He or she plays a key role in providing education related to Hospice care practices within the agency and community. He or she must understand and comply with the Medicare Conditions of Participation and all Hospice of San Joaquin Policies and Procedures. Essential duties include but are not limited to:

• Operating within his or her scope of practice, and ensuring that all services are provided consistent with best practices for hospice and palliative care

• Utilizing Standard Universal Precautions as indicated in HSJ’s Clinical Policy on Exposure and Infection Control and HSJ’s Exposure Control Plan and Infection Control Plan.

• Recognizing and reporting any suspected violations of the patient’s rights pursuant to HSJ’s Admissions Policy

• Recognizing and reporting any potential misconduct or violation of Hospice of San Joaquin’s policies, compliance standards, and federal or state laws and regulations

• Understanding and complying with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements

• Understanding and complying with Human Resources

• Working with the Director of Quality and Compliance as requested to monitor and improve the quality of hospice services

1. Demonstrates the ability to clearly document according to standards of practice and to audit the documentation of others utilizing accurately and efficiently provided tools and resources 

2. Possess in-depth knowledge and proficiency in the utilization of the company’s EMR 

3. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of hospice care delivery and regulations, including fraud, abuse, and anti-kickback statutes 

4. Demonstrated record of accomplishment of developing and managing successful teaching strategies, improving quality of patient care, compliance outcomes, and successfully following multiple performance improvement initiatives and plans of correction 

5. Demonstrate the skillset that includes interpersonal, oral, and written communication to maintain a positive and coaching environment 

6. Demonstrate strong communication skills, relationship building, and consistently produce work that is detail-oriented and accurate 

7. Complete Initial Clinical competency and Tracer Visit within the first 90 days of employment and annually

8. Possess a professional and resourceful style; having the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and manage multiple tasks and projects at the same time 

9. Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite of products and related computer skills

10. Ability to apply adult learning principles and techniques appropriate and individualized to the learner 

11. Administration and therapeutic effects of medications primarily used in hospice care

12. Knowledge of community resources 

13. Federal, State, Medicare and Medi-Cal, Joint Commission Regulations for home, SNF and RCFE

14. Good oral and written communication skills

15. Availability to work flexible hours (i.e., early mornings, evenings, etc.)

16. Demonstrated ability to develop clear, concise, and appropriately referenced training materials using

17. Ability to effectively operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, copier, and cellphone 

18. Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families along with a comprehensive understanding of hospice 

19. Ability to apply knowledge of the special needs of hospice patients and families 

20. Knowledge of roles of all disciplines providing hospice services 

21. Excellent patient assessment skills 

22. Maintains high standards of integrity and business ethics 

23. Conducts self in an honest and ethical manner 

24. Knowledge of general nursing practice 

25. Reports promptly any suspected violation of compliance standards 

26. Sensitivity to the impact of life and death issues faced by individuals with a terminal illness 

27. Ability to support others at a time of crisis 

28. Must be able to demonstrate flexibility by performing a variety of tasks 

29. Communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds 

30. Responsible functioning in the workplace; exhibiting maturity, cooperation, flexibility, and tact in dealing with co-workers and all members of the hospice team 

31. Express or exchange ideas utilizing the spoken word 

32. Other duties as assigned

Environmental Conditions and Physical Requirements

The position of hospice Educator requires:

• Occasionally performing procedures or other tasks that could involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials.

• Ability to work variable hours, including nights and weekends, as needed.

• Occasionally working with Hospice patients in the home, SNF, and RCFE settings. The conditions in homes and facilities vary with each patient.

Qualifications:

This position requires a current California RN License, BSN preferred, MSN preferred, current CA Driver’s license, and either a minimum of 2 years experience as a Clinical Educator or a minimum of two years of RN experience in a hospice program with proven organization and teaching skills, and CPR Training.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

1. Vehicle – Ability to drive own vehicle, have a valid California driver’s license and have automobile insurance, which meets State standards. 2. Mobility – Frequent operation of a keyboard and sitting for long periods of time; occasional standing for long periods of time, walking, pushing/pulling, bending/squatting, driving, climbing ladders or stairs, and crawling. 3. Frequency of Lifting – Occasional lifting of 5 to 35 lbs. 4. Visual Requirements – Constant use of overall vision; frequent need for color perception, hand/eye coordination, reading/close-up work, and field of vision. 5. Hearing/Talking – Frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing the telephone, talking in person and on the telephone; occasional hearing of faint sounds. 6. Emotional/Physiological Factors – Frequent public contact, decision making, concentration and working alone; occasional exposure to emergency situations (including death), heights and hazardous materials. 7. Ability to participate in the evaluation(s) of own performance by identifying strengths and weaknesses and by developing a plan to improve areas of weakness. 8. Environmental Conditions – Occasional exposure to noise, dirt, dust, smoke, fumes, poor ventilation and cold and heat.

We offer a great benefit package to our staff such as:

• Competitive hospice industry compensation

• Benefits package with multiple plan offerings and generous employer contribution

• 401(k) Retirement plan with employer match

• AFLAC insurance plans

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Fitness Center membership discount

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

• Supportive work culture which encourages work life balance

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Monthly mileage reimbursement

• Employee Referral Program

If you are interested in being part of a dynamic team and helping us continue tobe the leader in ensuring quality of the journey, from serious illness through end of life, and to honor our mission by honoring life by ensuring patients and their Caregivers are the focus of everything we do, we encourage you to apply. To learn more about Hospice of San Joaquin, please visit our website at: