Hospice RN Case Manager

JOB TITLE : Hospice RN Case Manager

STATUS: Salary/Exempt, Full Time

SALARY: DOE

SUPERVISOR: Clinical Director

CREATED:

Coastal Home Health & Hospice is an equal opportunity employer: CHHH does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, family relationship, marital status, veteran status, military service, employment status, or any other classification protected by local, state, or federal law.

If an employee needs accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined below, he or she should notify his or her supervisor or the CEO. CHHH will work with the employee to evaluate whether there is a reasonable accommodation that does not pose an undue hardship on the company.

This position is exempt from overtime under state and Federal wage and hour laws. Occasionally, the demands of the job may require working late and/or being available by phone and/or email in the evening or on the weekend. If that occurs, no overtime wages will be paid, as the salary level is intended to compensate for the level of responsibility. All employees, whether exempt or non-exempt, are expected to adhere to their schedule, and to follow attendance policies if they are going to be late or miss work. For all exempt employees, partial day absences will not affect compensation, unless the absence qualifies as medical leave under the Federal FMLA and the employee has exhausted all paid leave.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Performs professional nursing in the hospice program providing direct skilled patient care in the home. Provides hospice services that reflect the agency's philosophy and acceptable standards of care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

May include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Functions as a member of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team, following the Plan of Care developed in coordination with the Interdisciplinary Team.
2. Assumes primary case management responsibilities for individual patient/family, including:
1. Participation in care plan development, implementation and revision.
2. Participation in care plan updates every two weeks with the IDT.
3. Pain and symptom assessment and management.
3. Assists with volunteer training as requested.
4. Provides skilled nursing care including but not limited to: physical assessments, pain management, administration/supervision of medication, catheterization, dressing changes, irrigations, venipuncture, intravenous infusions, central line care, diabetic care.
5. Teaches and demonstrates basic patient care, use of medications, diagnosis related information and treatments to patient/family members.
6. Documents orders received and submits to physician for signature.
7. Delegates to unlicensed persons per Oregon state Board of Nursing regulations and regularly supervises the tasks delegated.
8. Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures.
9. Participates in facility care conferences and in-service programs.
10. Completes required documentation (i.e., assessments, care plans, clinical notes, agency tracking forms, etc.) In a timely manner in accordance with agency policies.
11. Assigns Home Health/Hospice Aide for eligible patients and supervises care given per agency policy.
12. Informs the Clinical Director and/or the Clinical Supervisor of unusual or potentially problematic patient/family issues.
13. Communicates regularly with the Clinical Director and/or the Clinical Supervisor and other staff members to review problems or unique issues from caseloads, share professional support, and exchange feedback aimed toward enhancing professional growth.
14. Participates in the orientation of new staff members.
15. Participates in quarterly record review and quality assurance activities.
16. Rotates on-call availability as needed to assist and support patient/family through physical and/or emotional crisis situations 24 hr/day.
17. Assists with community education regarding the agency programs as requested.
18. Other duties as assigned.

HOME HEALTH DUTIES

On occasion, the Hospice RN Case Manager may be required to assist in the care of home health patients. Additional Home Health duties are as follows:

• Makes the initial evaluation visit to the patient to determine needs, develop Plan of Treatment and provide nursing services.
• Regularly reevaluates the patient's nursing needs and revises the Plan of Care as indicated in coordination with the physician.
• Recommends recertification of patients or coordinates discharge of patients with referrals to appropriate agencies.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Exercises supervision of Home Health/Hospice Aides in the performance of duties for patients. Provides written assignment and patient specific teaching for all care to be given and regularly makes supervisory visits to patient's home in accordance with agency policies.
• Supervises care givers performing delegated tasks assigned by the RN. Regularly reevaluates competency in performing the tasks.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education, Certification, and Licenses -

• Graduate of an approved school of professional nursing.

• Must hold a current unencumbered RN nursing license to practice in Oregon.
• Current BLS care or be able to obtain prior to date of hire.

Experience -

• One year of nursing practice in a prior home health, hospice or facility setting is required; 3 years preferred.

Knowledge of -

• Nursing techniques and procedures.

• Medical terminology.

• Medication use and effects.

• Medical record keeping practices.

Ability to-

• Interpret orders and carry out instructions while exercising judgment within the scope of the position and established nursing practices.

• Work with limited supervision in an independent setting, while able to recognize situations in which supervision and guidance is required.

• Work with computers/programs and able to learn basic software applications.

• Communicate therapeutically with the patient, family, and public and maintain a compassionate, empathetic attitude.

Other -

• Must have Oregon driver's license, car insurance and maintain a good driving record.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO PERFORM JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Understands and is committed to the hospice philosophy of care.

• Understands home health regulations.

• Has comprehensive knowledge of medications, treatment and therapies for pain and symptom control.

• Functions well as a team member.

• Relates to and cares for people from all walks of life in a calm, courteous and professional manner.

• Maintains client confidentiality.

• Understands and works within pertinent state and federal laws and regulations.

• Understands documentation requirements and is able to complete paperwork in a timely manner.

• Able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

• Able to work with interpreters, sign language interpreters, and other individuals who may be needed to assist patients or family members to communicate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; talk to patients, family members, answering service, and co-workers, and hear their words; vision requirements include close, distance and ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch and climb stairs, adjusting from sitting and standing is required.
• Ability to perform tasks involving physical activity, which may include heavy lifting of supplies, equipment or patients; extensive bending, standing, walking or sitting may be required.
• Ability to deal effectively with stress.
• May occasionally drive for long periods of time.

WORK CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT:

• Employee may encounter various environmental situations in individual patient homes, including odors, tobacco smoke or animals. Tasks may involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.
• Travel is required between all office locations - Brookings; Gold Beach; and Bandon Oregon, and to and from homes, hospice centers, or other places where patients are located.
• Employee may occasionally be required to work weekdays, holidays or other hours on a rotation basis, as well as on-call rotation.