LICENSED PROFESSIONAL - RN
JOB SUMMARY
The Licensed Professional-RN is a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and is licensed by the state of Mississippi. He/she administers skilled care to patient’s requiring intermittent professional services and teaches the family and other members of the health care team. These services are performed in accordance with the physician’s orders and the established plan of care.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/ Training/ Experience:
Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and licensed in the state of Mississippi. A minimum of one-year experience is required for hospice and preferred for home health. Both prior clinical and Medicare/Medicaid home health experience are preferred but not necessary. New graduates with a valid license are required to work and complete at least 192 hours in an acute care setting within 12 months of obtaining their nursing license. The acute care setting requirement may be replaced by the Summer Student Nurse Externship Program which is approved by the Mississippi Council of Deans and Director and the Mississippi Hospital Association Organization for Nurse Executives.
Traits:
Must be organized, detail-oriented and possess effective communication skills both orally and in writing. He/she must understand the issues related to the delivery of home health care and be able to problem-solve effectively. Must be capable of prioritizing and handling multiple tasks of critical importance simultaneously.
Requirements:
1. Must possess a valid state driver’s license.
2. Must possess automobile liability insurance.
3. Must wear seat belts at all times while driving.
4. Dependable transportation kept in good working condition.
5. Must be able to drive an automobile in all types of weather conditions.
6. Currently licensed in the state of Mississippi.
Physical Demands:
1. Communicate effectively with staff, patients and/or family concerning the needs of the patient.
2. Travel to other branch offices, parent office and/or patient’s homes
3. Manual dexterity to operate patient care equipment.
4. Manual dexterity to operate office equipment including, but not limited to, computers, printers and/or copiers.
5. Visual acuity to evaluate and peruse employee documentation.
6. Moderate to significant physical demands, including but not limited to, sitting, standing, walking, squatting, kneeling, bending, lifting, carrying and/or pushing, repositioning and transferring adult human beings.
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL - RN, CONT’D.
Risk Category I:
1. May anticipate exposure to blood and/or body fluids during the performance of job duties.
2. May be exposed to extremes in temperature and humidity when traveling and in patient homes.
3. May be exposed to dust, gas, fumes, and odors when traveling or in patient homes.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Perform patient visits. Complete all appropriate documentation using current technology and
submit timely per policy and procedure.
2. Contact physician regarding patient changes, receive and write verbal orders.
3. Review and verify schedules weekly to ensure all scheduled visits are accurate. Ensure all
scheduled procedures are documented properly and appropriately.
4. Provide/conduct supervisory visits as required for LPNs and Aides to ensure appropriate
service provision and compliance with all State and Federal regulations.
5. Update the Plan of Care, notify the physician and Branch Manager and/or CFSS of significant
changes in the patient’s status.
6. Report the need for add-on services to the Branch Manager and/or CFSS.
7. Ensure lab tests are obtained, stored and transported according to acceptable laboratory
practice and OSHA guidelines.
8. Review and evaluate patient lab results and ensure appropriate physician notification.
9. Review and update the Medication Profile each visit assessing patient compliance,
understanding of medication regime, contraindications, and side effects, etc.
10. Provides health teaching appropriate to the patient’s needs and understanding.
11. Promotes the patient’s empowerment through self care activities.
12. Coordinate total patient care including interdisciplinary communication with other health care
providers, office and physician and document on the appropriate forms.
13. Cooperate and assist other health related agencies providing or assuming health care services
to enhance continuity of care.
14. Obtain continuing education to improve care by broadening knowledge of changes in health
care delivery.
15. Performs selected nursing procedures and techniques of patient care in accordance with
accepted standards of practice as set forth by the State Board of Nursing,
16. Attend and participate in service reporting meetings and other meetings as requested.
17. Participate in planning, operation and evaluation of collaborative therapy/nursing services.
18. Ensure all issued equipment and supplies are in proper working order and in a state of
cleanliness.
19. Complete SOC/admission procedures according to the established procedures.
20. Complete recertification and follow up assessment procedures according to the applicable
procedures.
21. Complete post-hospital ROC assessments according to the applicable procedures.
22. Prepare for and participate in Clinical Conference meetings ensuring you have adequate
knowledge to decide if patient’s care should be continued into another health care episode.
23. Conduct discharge assessments, complete Discharge OASIS, ensure appropriate discharge
teaching to enhance patient satisfaction.
24. Routinely takes after hours, weekend and holiday call.
25. Utilize current technology to fulfill job functions.
26. Assume and perform additional duties as indicated.
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL – RN, CONT’D.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Perform valet/renew/refresh procedures at all designated times following instructions given.
2. Provide guidance and education to other therapy/nursing personnel.
3. May be required to serve on various committees as needed.
4. May participate in mentorship of new employees and/or nursing students.
5. Assume and perform additional duties as indicated.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HOSPICE RNs:
1. Performs RN admission visits, intake visits and skilled nursing visits to assess physical, psychosocial and environmental needs according to schedule but no less than every 14 days.
2. Evaluates patient eligibility for hospice benefits.
3. Educate the patient, family and caregivers regarding expected physical/clinical changes specific to the patient’s terminal diagnosis as appropriate.
4. Attend and participate in IDG meetings.
5. Assist patient/family and caregivers with maintaining a safe environment at least every other week.
6. Supervise and document bi-weekly observation of care delivered to all patients by the certified nursing assistant alternating with CNA present and absent to assess relationship and determine whether goals are being met. Registered nurse must perform Start of Care with CNA on initial visit. Assignment with specific written instructions for patient care are to be prepared by RN and updated as required by change in patient’s condition. Supervise and document monthly observations of care delivered by LPN on assigned patient.
7. Supervise ancillary personnel and delegate responsibilities when required.
8. Provide skilled nursing services in contracted hospitals, and/or skilled/non-skilled nursing facilities according to Sta-home Health & Hospice policies and procedures.
9. Evaluate need for palliative outpatient services, radiation, General Inpatient Care, Continuous Care needs.
10. Documents assessments, goals and objectives, patient progress and other observations and actions relevant to the patients’ care into the clinical record within one week of the visit consistent with agency policy.
11. Acquire ability to distinguish between services provided under the Sta-home Health & Hospice benefit and those services which are not covered and require special approval of management.
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