Hospice LPN

INTRODUCTION:
The Hospice program provides services for patients with a terminal illness under orders from a private physician delivered in the patient s private home. Patients may also receive hospice service while in the nursing home or private healthcare facility. Payment is through Medicaid, Medicare and Private Pay/Insurance. Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Missouri is a non-profit organization.

TYPE OF WORK INVOLVED:

• Provides skilled care to patients in accordance with agency policies, physician orders, and CMS regulations for Hospice.
• Makes pertinent nursing observations and communicates these to the R.N. Staff Nurse, TCM, Hospice physician and/or IDG team when appropriate and document in a timely manner.
• Participate and attend IDG meetings as scheduled and document IDG notes.
• Take on call rotation as scheduled
• Maintains current clinical notes in EMR, reflecting updates to plan of care and care provided.
• Inform doctor of changes in patient s conditions, with documentation of changes in narrative notes.
• Review medication profile and reconcile medications weekly.
• Assists the R.N. in performing specialized duties.
• Reports any identified needs or potential problems of patients or family members to the R.N. in a timely manner.
• Follow the plan of care as initiated by the R.N./physician.
• Follows state guidelines and policies as far as the scope of practice for an LPN in homecare/Hospice.
• Provides accurate information to patients/families as outlined in the nursing care plan.

TRAINING:
Training involves a 30 day period where policies and procedures are covered. Computer training will cover the use of the handheld used to make patient visits.