Role:

The Pool RN is responsible for assessing and identifying patient/family needs using a palliative and supportive nursing process for new and existing patients/families in coordination with the Plan of Care and Interdisciplinary Group (IDG).

Qualifications:

• Current Florida license as RN, or current licensure from another state plus a temporary Florida permit
• Mobile Driver - Valid driver’s license and automobile insurance per Company policy
• Reliable transportation to meet visit schedule
• Minimum one (1) year in-patient nursing, hospice, or home health experience
• Previous experience working with an EMR/EHR (Electronic Medical/Health Record) system
• Ability to use equipment with visual and auditory mechanisms
• Ability to effectively communicate (written and oral) in English
• Flexible schedule to meet the needs of hospice patients
• Ability to physically access any home (i.e., navigate stairs and narrow spaces, tolerate heat and lack of air conditioning) in any area Company serves
• Ability to manage the emotional stress of working with and caring for terminally ill patients and their families
• Ability to perform the essential functions and physical requirements (including, but not limited to: lifting patients and/or equipment, bending, pushing/pulling, kneeling) of the job with or without reasonable accommodationCompetencies:

• Satisfactorily complete competency requirements for this position.
• Responsibilities of all employees
• Represent the Company professionally at all times through care delivered and/or services provided to all clients.
• Comply with all State, federal and local government regulations, maintaining a strong position against fraud and abuse.
• Comply with Company policies, procedures and standard practices.
• Observe the Company's health, safety and security practices.
• Maintain the confidentiality of patients, families, colleagues and other sensitive situations within the Company.
• Use resources in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Promote the Company through participation in community and professional organizations.
• Participate proactively in improving performance at the organizational, departmental and individual levels.
• Improve own professional knowledge and skill level.
• Advance electronic media skills.
• Support Company research and educational activities.
• Share expertise with co-workers both formally and informally.

• Participate in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement activities as appropriate for the position.
• Job Responsibilities:

• Clinical

• Assess patient/family and identify immediate and ongoing needs and appropriate nursing interventions, including change in level of care.
• Coordinate patient care, including assessing psychosocial, spiritual care, and volunteer needs, and make appropriate referrals, as needed.
• Continually assess patient’s eligibility for hospice care and facilitate medical review, as needed.
• Provide and manage direct nursing care to patients and families as part of Interdisciplinary Group (IDG), incorporating psychosocial, spiritual, cultural, physical and biological components, and appropriate nursing intervention and follow-up.

• Coordinate the Plan of Care, ensuring that an individualized Plan of Care is developed that accurately reflects the patient’s evolving needs.
• Demonstrate clinical skills regarding: case management, application of company policy and procedure, physical assessment, intravenous therapies, pain medication titration, symptom management, and patient/family relationships.
• Facilitate coordination of care and documentation for change in level of care, team transfer and hospice discharge.
• Update interdisciplinary group and other health care professionals about pending medical appointments/ diagnostic testing and outcome/result(s).
• Consult, refer, and collaborate with other professionals to promote quality and continuity of patient/family care.

• Take verbal orders from physicians, ARNPs and physicians’ assistants.

• Educate patient, family, caregivers and other health professionals about disease process and decline, palliative interventions, care giving, dying process and safety practices.
• Report changes in the patient’s condition to appropriate members of the IDG or other health professionals.
• Attend patient deaths; prepare body for transport; oversee disposal of medications.
• Provide appropriate bereavement interventions to the family and caregiver in conjunction with social services staff.
• Accept responsibility and is accountable for nursing actions: demonstrate an understanding of the legal consequences of nursing actions; request supervision when needed; perform within the guidelines established by the Florida Nurse Practice Act.Administrative

• Document assessment, plan, intervention and evaluation on appropriate Company forms with accuracy, timeliness, legibility, professional terminology and awareness of legal and regulatory implications.
• Document patient condition and decline to support hospice and level of care appropriateness.
• Request medical records from physicians, hospitals, laboratories and other outside sources for use to determine patient’s eligibility for hospice.
• Review documentation of own care team and audit medical records to ensure compliance with standards and quality of care.
• Present concise and pertinent oral and written reports to IDG; respect and encourage input from all disciplines.
• Communicate accurately and completely to physicians, staff members, patients, families, and supervisors; utilize positive approaches when working with others.
• Facilitate care team meeting by incorporating input of LPN and hospice aide to establish, evaluate, and revise patients’ Plan of Care and prepare for interdisciplinary group meeting.
• May schedule LPN and hospice aide schedule for own care team.
• Mentor LPN and hospice aide through demonstration of skills, providing feedback on job performance and coordinating activities to enhance job performance.
• Apprise Clinical Manager of changes in patient’s condition, care needs and concerns of patient, family and other health care providers.
• May participate in orienting new staff, students, volunteers and board members.
• Supervise patient care given by other nursing team members; i.e., LPNs, Hospice Aides, and contract nurses.
• Exemplify behaviors supportive of internal mission statement.
• Participate on committees and projects, as assigned.
• Act as a resource to peers, students, orientees and other staff members.
• Participate in activities and professional development that enhance hospice nursing skills.
• Participate in the broad education process of the Company, both to the medical and lay communities. Professional Development

• Pursue own professional growth through attendance at required in-services and other educational offerings.
• Establish professional goals for self and continually evaluate self in the attainment of these goals.Financial

• Utilize supplies, equipment, medications, laboratory and patient therapies within the Company philosophy.
• Employ palliative and home care management modalities in care of the patient prior to hospitalization.
• Demonstrate knowledge of payment structures and paperwork necessary to change financial classes.
• Collaborate with Clinical Manager about clinical authorizations.Other

• Perform other duties as assigned.