Patient Care

1. Completes initial, comprehensive and ongoing assessments of patient and family to

determine hospice needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current

and previous illness (es).

2. Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process.

3. Assesses and evaluates patient's status by:

A. Writing and initiating plan of care

B. Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs

C. Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary

4. Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.

5. Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates

palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and the family in the planning process.

6. Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administers

medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician's plan of care.

7. Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.

8. Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan.

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9. Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient's efforts toward

self-sufficiency and optional comfort care.

10. Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Supervisor and assumes responsibility to

coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.

Communication

1. Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient's

condition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as

appropriate.

2. Communicates with the physician regarding the patient's needs and reports changes in the

patient's condition; obtains/receives physicians' orders as required.

3. Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.

4. Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provides

medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and

utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers. Works in

concert with the interdisciplinary group.

5. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.

6. Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of

care.

7. Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice Interdisciplinary Group

Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.

8. Attends interdisciplinary group meetings.

Additional Duties

1. Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy.

2. Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services

are available.

3. Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.

4. Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades

professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in

continuing education and in-service classes.

5. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.

6. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.