Registered Nurse - (RN) - Hospice - Case Manager

Job Category

Nursing - Registered Nurse

Work Shift/Schedule

8 Hr Morning - Afternoon

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the
health of our communities.

About the Role

Job Summary

Responsible for the delivery of patient care in accordance with acceptable
standards of care in various care settings including patient homes, hospitals,
long term care facilities, assisted living facilities and retirement communities
in the hospice service area. Collaborates with other professional disciplines
and members of the hospice interdisciplinary team to ensure effective and
efficient patient care delivery and the achievement of desired patient outcomes.
Utilizes knowledge of patient's age, gender and cultural diversity into the
provision of patient care. Contributes to the provision of quality nursing care
through performance improvement processes that demonstrate positive outcomes in
patient care. Provides supervision of the Hospice aides. Provides on-call
coverage for the hospice program.

Minimum Job Qualifications

* Licensure or other certifications: Georgia RN licensure. Current BLS
certification.

* Educational Requirements: Associates Degree

* Minimum Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of clinical nursing experience.

* Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

* Preferred Licensure or other certifications: CHPN.

* Preferred Educational Requirements:

* Preferred Experience: Experience with emphasis on care of terminally ill
patients, adults in acute care  medical and surgical areas/home care.
Additional experience with children and infants desired. One (1) year hospice
experience. 

* Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* Strong clinical nursing and assessment skills

* Ability to understand, interpret and adhere to regulations, agency
policy/procedure and accreditation standards

* Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills

* Skill in documenting clinical care in software system via laptop computer

* Able to work independently and as a member of a team

* Heavy travel throughout service area; must have own automobile, proof of
valid driver's license, and current auto insurance with a minimum of $100,000
liability. Hours may be extended to meet the needs of the agency. Twenty-four
(24) hour on-call assignment as scheduled.

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

* Admits patients to the hospice program. Assesses the appropriateness of
patient admission to the hospice program based on state, federal and
regulatory requirements, hospice admission criteria and in
consultation/coordination with attending physician and hospice medical
director. Completes the admission visit utilizing specialized format of the
agency and within specified time frame. Performs complete and thorough
assessment. Collaborates with the attending physician, hospice Medical
Director, referral source, and hospice intake department.  

* Delivers nursing care according to the standards of care defined within the
American Nurses Association (ANA) standards of Clinical Practice and
Standards of Hospice Nursing Practice and Professional Performance. Performs
routine, admission, death pronouncement, continuous care, and on call visits
as assigned and/or as needed by patient/significant others. Implements the
interventions identified in the plan of care and evaluates response to
interventions in relation to expected outcomes. Supervises the hospice aide
and LPN in accordance with State and Federal regulations and agency policy
and procedure. Provides education and instruction patient and/or caregivers
appropriate to the learning ability/level of the patient and/or caregiver.
Assesses, instructs and refers as indicated to ensure a safe environment for
the patient.

* Documents care in accordance with medical documentation standards and in
accordance with agency policy, standards and timelines. Completes patient
charting in accordance with agency policy and procedure and within specified
timeframes 100% of time. Charts concisely and legibly. Does not utilize
unacceptable abbreviations. Documents in a  manner that facilitates the
determination of expected outcomes and plan of care, including interventions
and response to interventions. Completes necessary paperwork/procedures for
the appropriate payor to ensure proper reimbursement in accordance with
agency policy and procedure.

* Collaborates and communicates with the patient/family, Primary Nurse, Patient
Care Coordinator, Physician, Referral Source, and Hospice Interdisciplinary
Team to ensure optimal coordination of care for each patient/family and to
participate in the development and monitoring of the plan of care to ensure
effective patient case management. Acknowledges and honors the patient and
significant others as vital members of the health care team. Communicates
accordingly in assessing and establishing their needs and goals. Delivers
care in a manner that preserves and protects patient autonomy, dignity and
rights. Consults with Attending Physician/Medical Director/health care
providers for patient care, especially difficult to control symptoms of
hospice patients. Recommends/assists the Primary Nurse in coordinating all
aspects of care for patients and their families by appropriate communications
with various IDT members and referrals to appropriate community
agencies/resources as indicated. Notifies interdisciplinary team members of
changes in patients' condition/support system/environment and changes made in
specific duties in the hospice aide's assignment related to the patient's
needs. Coordinates changes in level of care and care setting as indicated and
in accordance with physician orders and agency policy.

Area/Unit Specific Essential Tasks and Responsibilities-on Call Hospice RN

* Provides on call coverage after normal business hours. Responds appropriately
to pages/calls from Hospice office, NGMC operator or Administrator on call
concerning needs of patient, family, significant others, physician, referral
sources. Handles calls with excellent customer service, compassion and
clinical and interpersonal expertise. Verbally offers to make visit to each
current hospice/significant other call for assistance, including when
assigned to be on-call. Always provides visits when appropriates. If unable
to assist an individual in need, offers to find someone who can. Visits
within required time frames established by agency. Demonstrates good judgment
and analytical ability in response to calls. Inspires confidence from callers
and co-workers, remaining well informed and prepared at all times.
Demonstrates caring and maintains calm and effective behavior during
stressful situations. Responds appropriately to new referrals received while
on call.

* Considers factors relating to safety, effectiveness, performance improvement,
and cost in planning and delivering patient care. Participates in peer chart
review and other Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement activities as
directed. Documents and processes all variances, medication errors, adverse
drug reactions and infection surveillance in accordance with agency policy
and procedure. Evaluates care from a cost effectiveness perspective and
utilizing hospice philosophy of care. Understands hospice
Medicare/Medicaid/payor benefits and delivers care in accordance with benefit
and plan of care.

* Maintains responsibility for communication and professional development and
growth. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings, staff meetings and
educational programs when indicated or obtains information through review of
minutes, handout materials, video/audio tapes of sessions. Completes all
required education within specified time frames. Seeks out education required
to maintain clinical and regulatory expertise and knowledge. Completes
required competencies within specified time frames. Observes established
dress guidelines, visibly wearing the photo/name identification badge.
Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with OSHA regulations, organization's
safety policies and risk management program.

Physical Demands

* Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

* Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

* Vision: Moderate, Constantly 66-100%

* Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Frequently 31-65%

* Standing/Walking: Frequently 31-65%

* Pushing/Pulling: Frequently 31-65%

* Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65%

* Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding, Driving

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as
a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals. 

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not
tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability,
ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic
information, or any other legally protected classification or status.