Home Care Registered Nurse

Home Care Registered Nurse# Home Care Registered Nurse Windber, PA 15963## Overview Position Type Full Time Job Shift Day Travel  Percentage Road Warrior## Description
** OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB**:

This position is responsible for providing nursing care in patients’ homes/residences and teaches patients and families the skills necessary to care for themselves at home.  This position is also responsible for meeting patient/family needs effectively and efficiently through all life stages and ages.  This position also provides direction and oversight to other staff members regarding patient care.
** ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB**: (other duties may be assigned)1. Actively participate in patient care.
* Daily, visit patients in their homes or contact them by telephone.
* Communicate information orally and written on a daily basis to physicians, patients, and caregivers.
* Report changes in patient’s and caregiver's conditions daily.
* Assist patients, caregivers and significant others with decision-making.
* Maintain confidentiality of patient’s personal, medical and financial information.
* Use entry order system by order entry process as necessary.
* Report weekly findings to physicians.
* Initiate standing orders as necessary.
* Perform treatments and procedures in adherence to policy and procedure standards
* Perform phlebotomy procedures per policy
2. Supervise use of medication in home.
* Count all medications on home visits.
* Order medications pertaining to disease process while under Hospice from hospital pharmacy.
* Instruct the family to report to the local pharmacy to obtain medications.
* Instruct patient and caregiver on proper use of medications.
* Document teaching and track responses to same.
3. Complete initial and on-going patient assessments to define individual patient needs.
* Daily, after reviewing assessment data and identify patient problems, develop a plan of care and update it monthly or as necessary.
* Maintain concise documentation in nursing notes of all patient care provided.
* Complete nursing care plans daily.
* Evaluate patient’s response to therapeutic interventions and document in nursing notes.
* Ensure patient satisfaction.
* Report weekly on patients at Inter-Disciplinary Group meetings.
* Perform I.V. therapy
* Perform venipunctures and access mediports/lines
* Perform ostomy/wound care
* Perform all nursing procedures
4. Teach various techniques to caregivers, patients, and staff members.
* Daily, evaluate patient, caregiver, and other staff members’ understanding of techniques by successful demonstration.
* Document procedure upon completion of demonstration.
* Assist in identifying educational needs of staff, patients, and caregivers.
* Allow time for questions and further instruction for caregivers and patients.
5. Complete the referral process.
* Receive referral patients.
* Obtain patient records and clearance from medical director.
* Coordinate time for admissions process with patient, caregiver, social services, counselor, and nurses.
* Alert patient’s physician of hospice referral.
* Check referral sheet for patient insurance information.  If not present, request information at NPC.
6. Conduct new patient clinics.
* Meet with patient, significant others and caregivers at the hospital, patient’s home or external care facility and schedule NPC when the referral is approved by the medical director.
* Present the program, review equipment needs and arrange for delivery of equipment when social services is not available.
* Contact any home care agency involved and the patient’s physician of the patient’s admission to the program.
7. Conduct home death visits
* Provide emotional support to caregivers.
* Call appropriate physician, coroner, funeral director, equipment supply company, volunteer, volunteer director, or department.
* Prepare body and assist with the removal from the home and ensure the caregiver’s satisfaction.
* Remove or dispose of all medications from the home, close the patient’s chart and make a bereavement referral for family members and significant others.
8. Assist with departmental evaluation and improvement of nursing practices.
* Monthly, support changes to improve patient care…