7 (12.5 hours) shifts per pay period with some on-call responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

Adheres to infection control practices and all agency policies and procedures
Utilization of the nursing process to identify patient centered goals, (physical, psychosocial and environmental, physical assessment, plan, implementation and evaluation.) Uses an interdisciplinary team approach to meet these goals, under the direction of the Hospice House MD/NP with the most efficient use of resources.
Use of clinical guidelines of end stage diseases to determine patient prognosis.
Is knowledgeable regarding the Hospice Medicare Benefit.
Functions as part of the Interdisciplinary Team and refers to other team members as needed to ensure the physical emotional and spiritual well being of the terminally ill.
Is knowledgeable with medications used at end of life for pain and symptom management.
Assesses patient needs related to end of life and communicates with hospice NP/MD when there are changes in the patient's condition that may require medication changes. .
Is kind and compassionate when communicating and caring for patients and their families/caregivers related to end of life symptoms and management.
Advocate for comfort needs of the hospice patient with primary physician and Hospice House
Maintains the comfort and quality of life for those patients in the Hospice House.
Maintains compliance with Narcotic distribution, administration, and disposal in accordance with Department of Health and VNSHS policy.
Documents with accuracy and completeness consistent with Medicare guidelines that demonstrate measurable outcomes and GIP level of care.
Under the direction of the Clinical Manager/DPS assist with the orientation of new staff and students when needed.
Oversees and participates in the direct care-giving of Hospice House patients; coordinates and directs the HHA care plan and supervision of the nurse's aide in care of the patient.
Documents notes for IDG meetings as specified. Notes to include patient's reason for hospice care, progress towards patient centered goals, symptoms to be managed, medication changes and interventions. Document effectiveness of all interventions and disciplines.
Effective and professional communication with other companies/agency's that are involved in patient care i.e.: IV companies, funeral homes, spiritual advisors etc.
Effective use of voice mail and email.
Promptly responds in a timely manner to corrections.
Provides mandated federal and stare notices to patient to include, but not limited to, NYS Provision of Care, Home Health Beneficiary notice and Notice of Medicare non coverage.
Communicates with all other disciplines involved in patients care and documents same.

Participation in continuing education (minimum of 3 hours per calendar year), attending annual competency and all mandatory in-services, including use of patient restraint/seclusion.
Attendance at team meetings.
Has a high ethical standard related to all aspects of Hospice care.
Employee adheres to all applicable federal, state, local laws and regulations.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

A registered professional nurse currently registered and licensed to practice nursing in the state of New York.
A Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university preferred.
Two years' experience in the delivery of nursing care in a Certified Home Hospice Agency preferred.
A combination of education and experience equivalent to above and acceptable to New York State Health Department.
Must be familiar with hospice care and its implementation.
Skilled in the ability to observe and assess the health care needs of Hospice patients and families. Knowledge of care of cancer patient, pain management and Hospice concept.
Skilled in the techniques of therapeutic communication.
Able to facilitate cooperation and communication among members of the staff.
Able to coordinate the resources of VNS & Hospice of Suffolk, Inc. personnel.
Possess supervisory and management skills.

Physical/Cognitive Requirements:

Physical agility in the form of being able to ambulate, drive a motor vehicle, and negotiate stairs. Vision acuity correctable to normal with normal color perception. Hearing acuity correctable to normal. Acute sense of smell for normal perception. Ability to verbalize so that the average person can comprehend.