HHC/Hospice RN (Casual)

Home Health Care/Hospice Nurse

Under general supervision of the HHC/Hospice Supervisor provides nursing services which are specific, comprehensive and intermittent with the dominant responsibility to the individual patient and family. Plans and implements nursing care to ill, disabled, or dying patients in their homes and facilities. Performs related duties as required. This is a casual, as-needed position. Work hours are not guaranteed and will vary based on operational needs. The County does not guarantee any minimum number of hours, shifts, or ongoing work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Evaluates assigned home health care and hospice patients and identifies problems/needs including but not limited to physical, emotional, psychological, environmental and educational. Develops, communicates, and coordinates a goal oriented plan of care for each assigned patient in collaboration with the patient, M.D., and family, and for Hospice, the Interdisciplinary Group. Implements plan of care, nursing interventions, patient/family teaching and other appropriate procedures as necessary to ensure high quality nursing care of the home care/hospice patient; delegates appropriately and ensures documentation of interventions. Evaluates each patient's response to the care provided and modifies the plan of care based on signed physician orders. Maintains strict confidentiality with client information. Communicates effectively and timely with all members of the health care team; maintains up-to-date and accurate documentation of care provided to ensure the integration of information for use by the health care team. Promotes and maintains health of individual families through teaching, counseling and initiation of appropriate preventive, rehabilitative, or palliative measures. Educates patients and families regarding disease management, home safety, medication safety, end of life care, plans of care and anticipated outcomes. Provides nursing services in the homes of and facilities for critically, chronically and terminally ill patients under a medical plan of treatment established according to agency policy. Coordinates services with other professionals and service providers, and for Hospice, the Interdisciplinary Group to assure a wholistic approach to patient and family needs. Plans, manages caseload, and provides nursing services in a specific geographic area. Teaches, demonstrates, supervises and evaluates services provided in the home by other agency staff. Prepares and submits records and reports according to agency policy. Assumes responsibility for self development and participates in appropriate continuing education activities in order to maintain competence within the scope of own practice. Participates in developing and implementing a community disaster plan. Assumes administrative responsibilities as designated by the HHC/Hospice Supervisor. May be assigned to perform on-call duty.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities, but contributes to the oversight and guidance of HHC/Hospice Agency Aides, in accordance with the organization's policies, procedures and applicable laws. Provides mentorship to nursing students.

Typical Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience Graduate of a school of nursing, accredited by the national professional nursing accrediting program, with an Associate's Degree, Diploma, or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing; two to three years of experience in a hospital, long term care facility, Home Health Care, or Hospice Agency; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Language Skills Ability to read and interpret documents such as Plans of Care, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, professional journals, and procedure manuals. Ability to document care and treatment given and record changes in patient's condition. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to educate, train, communicate, and present information effectively, cooperate and respond to common inquiries or complaints from patients, patient's family, physician, health care professionals, co-workers, or the general public. Mathematical Skills Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions in practical situations. Reasoning Ability Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to be flexible in responding to the needs of patients/families, staff members, and other health care providers. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to seek and utilize supervision/consultation effectively. Computer Skills To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of word processing and documentation systems. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Current licensure from the State of Wisconsin as a Registered Nurse. Current Wisconsin Driver's License, with access to a dependable automobile and carrying at least the minimum automobile insurance coverage. CPR Certification. Other Skills and Abilities Comprehensive knowledge of the nursing process (assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation). Comprehensive knowledge and skill in current nursing practice. Thorough knowledge of the use of community resources. Comprehensive knowledge of interprofessional and interfamily relationships in the implementation of nursing/medical care plans. Thorough knowledge of Home Health Care principles and Hospice philosophy. Ability to apply appropriate theory that is scientifically sound as a basis for decisions regarding nursing practice. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear; reach with hands and arms; stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to sit, bend, and push and pull; and occasionally stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally exert force in excess of 100 pounds and transfer patients with weights greater than 100 pounds. Frequently performs tasks, which require hand-eye coordination. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to wear gloves, masks and other protective equipment. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to weather conditions; hazards of driving; unclean inside environmental conditions; and difficult interpersonal interaction with exposure to potentially violent patients. May be exposed to odors, infections, contagious diseases, toxic agents, temperature variations/or dust, and the risk of blood borne pathogens. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.