Compassionate Care Hospice

Job Descriptions

ON-CALL NURSE

TITLE:On-Call Nurse

REPORTS TO:Clinical Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY:

Implements the overall plan of care for each patient in conjunction with the attending physician and case manager during on-call hours of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing. BSN preferred.
  2. Current RN licensure by state board in the state of practice.
  3. Two years of general nursing experience preferred. Should include current experience in at least one of the following: hospice, home care, med/surgery or critical care. IV skills and/or certification preferred.
  4. Excellent nursing judgment, assessment skills and documentation skills.
  5. Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
  6. Demonstrated clinical competency in applying principles, methods and equipment used in nursing and appropriate specialty. Identified interest to work in specialty area.
  7. Current CPR certification preferred.
  8. Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of the patients and caregivers (families, friends and significant others).
  9. Ability to function as an effective member of an integrated healthcare team.
  10. Ability to work flexible hours and “off hours” and to meet weekend, holiday and on-call work requirements.
  11. Licensed driver with a reliable automobile which is insured in accordance with organization policy.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

  1. Coordinates pain management in concert with the physician, pharmacy, patient and family.
  2. Active care management utilizing interdisciplinary approach.
  3. Completes all documentation as required by organization in compliance with legal and governmental requirements.
  4. Knowledge of and adherence to all organizational policies.
  5. Follows nursing standards as determined by nursing practice act.
  6. Accepts responsibility for updating and maintaining nursing skills.
  7. Attends and participates in all mandatory in-services, workshops and conferences.
  8. Takes full advantage of all opportunities for continuing education provided by organization.
  9. Attends team meetings and maintains effective communication with other team members.
  10. Effective education of patient/family/caregivers as required by organization’s policies.
  11. Assists/recommends appropriate referrals for other professional intervenes in a timely fashion.
  12. Participates in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement activities.
  13. Ongoing communication with attending physician/designee/medical director and the Clinical Coordinator and other personnel to ensure updates on all pertinent patient condition changes/needs and outcome of interventions.
  14. Takes “call” as assigned by the Clinical Coordinator including weekends and holidays as dictated by organizational needs.
  15. Assessment of all patient’s physical, functional, ADL, psychosocial, spiritual, communication, risk for pathological grief, cultural and environmental needs upon admission related to terminal diagnosis.
  16. Determines intermittent visits based on activity and level of care needed. May recommend the implementation of another level of hospice care when necessary.
  17. Assesses the ability of the caregiver to meet the patient’s immediate needs upon admission and throughout care provision. Consults with and educates the patient/family regarding disease process, end-of-life issues, self care techniques and processes for dealing with ethical concerns.
  18. Evaluates own needs for support and pursuing identified system to meet the need.
  19. Knowledge of the specific criteria for admission and re-certification to hospice care or change in level of care.
  20. Communicates information using current process and technology available to organization. Coordinates all patient/family services and prioritizes needs with IDG members and other health care providers.
  21. Provides symptom management for discomfort and those services requiring current substantial and specialized nursing skills related to end-of-life care.
  22. Performs other related tasks as requested.

AGE SPECIFICS:

This position interacts with all ages of patients, family members and other staff members.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Strength:

Constantly required to push/pull and lift objects up to 50 pounds in weight. Occasionally required to push/pull more that 300 pounds and lift in excess of 50 pounds.

Manual Dexterity:

Constantly required to perform simple motor skills and manipulative skills such as standing, walking, writing and use of various types of therapeutic and office equipment. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative skills such as positioning patients and use of more complex office and therapeutic equipment.

Coordination:

Constantly required to perform gross body coordination such as walking, stopping, standing while performing tasks, carrying and lifting objects.

Mobility:

Frequently required to walk and stand, including for long periods of time. Frequently required to remain in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time, such as bending over equipment, counter, tables, etc.

Visual Discrimination:

Constantly required to see objects closely to allow reading instructions, physician orders, computer screen and measurement tools. Frequently required to discriminate colors on charts, equipment panels or warning lights. Occasionally required to use depth perception and judge distance, size, color and shape of an object.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Constantly required to concentrate on fine details with continual interruptions; attends to a task/function for more than 60 minutes at a time; understand and relate to specific ideas; remember tasks/assignments given at the beginning of a period of time extending several days. Constantly required to demonstrate good judgment and safety.

POST-OFFER HEALTH STATUS:

Meets the post-offer physical requirement regarding infectious/contagious disease, including TB screening and other regulatory requirements.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Potential exposure to occupational hazards which may include, but are not limited to: infectious/contagious diseases, heat, cold, noise, hazardous substances, uncontrolled home environments, varying weather conditions and other hazards which may be located at various work sites.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Required to drive a car long distances from one location to another.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by organization. In addition, personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other education activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities. All personnel must attend mandatory educational programs.

OSHA CATEGORY FOR BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS EXPOSURE:

Category I: Tasks and procedures involve occupational exposure to blood, body fluids and/or tissue.

JOB DESCRIPTION REVIEW:

I have read and understand the job description for the position of On-Call Nurse.

______

SignatureDate

CRITERIA-BASED PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Job Title: On-Call Nurse _____Initial Evaluation _____Annual Evaluation

Employee: Date:

Scores are determined by evaluation of manager, results of quality improvement and peer review assessments.

PART i – RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: / Self / Super-visor
Coordinates pain management in concert with the physician, pharmacy, patient and family.
Active care management utilizing interdisciplinary approach.
Completes all documentation as required by organization in compliance with legal and governmental requirements.
Knowledge of and adherence to all organizational policies.
Follows nursing standards as determined by nursing practice act.
Accepts responsibility for updating and maintaining nursing skills.
Attends and participates in all mandatory in-services, workshops and conferences.
Takes full advantage of all opportunities for continuing education provided by organization.
Attends team meetings and maintains effective communication with other team members.
Effective education of patient/family/caregivers as required by organization’s policies.
Assists/recommends appropriate referrals for other professional intervenes in a timely fashion.
Participates in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement activities.
Ongoing communication with attending physician/designee/medical director and the Clinical Coordinator and other personnel to ensure updates on all pertinent patient condition changes/needs and outcome of interventions.
Takes “call” as assigned by the Clinical Coordinator including weekends and holidays as dictated by organizational needs.
Assessment of all patient’s physical, functional, ADL, psychosocial, spiritual, communication, risk for pathological grief, cultural and environmental needs upon admission related to terminal diagnosis.
Determines intermittent visits based on activity and level of care needed. May recommend the implementation of another level of hospice care when necessary.
Assesses the ability of the caregiver to meet the patient’s immediate needs upon admission and throughout care provision. Consults with and educates the patient/family regarding disease process, end-of-life issues, self care techniques and processes for dealing with ethical concerns.
Evaluates own needs for support and pursuing identified system to meet the need.
Knowledge of the specific criteria for admission and re-certification to hospice care or change in level of care.
Communicates information using current process and technology available to organization. Coordinates all patient/family services and prioritizes needs with IDG members and other health care providers.
Provides symptom management for discomfort and those services requiring current substantial and specialized nursing skills related to end-of-life care.
Performs other tasks as requested.
(To get Total Score for Part I add up scores and divide by # of applicable responsibilities and duties above) Total Score:
PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES OF THE JOB:
Job Knowledge/Technical Competence- Employee demonstrates understanding of the requirements and skills involved in doing the job outlined in job description. This is a measure of the extent in which the employee maintains, increases, and shares job knowledge and skills. (This score is the “Total Score” from above)
Quality of Work – Employee demonstrates competence, thoroughness and accuracy. Work is neat and legible. Consider adherence to standards, outcome achieved versus what was intended and errors or omissions.
Quantity of Work/Time Management– Employee’s ability to exercise diligence and energy in completing appropriate amount of work within established time frames. Consider the volume and timeliness of work regularly produced and skill in balancing priorities and handling emergencies while completing routing job duties and assignments.
Judgment – Employee’s ability to develop alternative courses of action and make decisions that are based on logical assumptions. How employee considers the consequences of action taken.
Initiative – Employee’s ability to proactively take action to achieve goals beyond what is necessarily expected.
Communication Skills– Employee’s ability to express ideas in a manner easily understood, verbally and in written form.
Customer Service– Evaluates employee’s awareness of who the customer is. Her/his efforts to listen and understand the customer (both internal and external); anticipating customer needs; giving high priority to customer satisfaction.
Planning and Organizing – Employee’s ability to establish a course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a specific goal; planning assignments and appropriate allocation of resources
Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills – Employee’s contribution and support of team efforts to accomplish goals, sensitivity to others, cooperation and rapport.
Problem solving/Critical Thinking Skills – Employee’s ability to work through problems independently. How employee uses tact, diplomacy, ingenuity and her/his ability to diffuse volatile or sensitive situations in a professional manner.
Accountability– Employee’s ability to assume responsibility, follow through on assigned duties and demonstrates respect to supervisors. Consider how she/he exercises care over the resources that are entrusted to employees. Maintains a safe work environment.
Attendance/Dependability – Consider employee’s absenteeism, tardiness and scheduling time off in advance per company policy.

SCORING:FINAL SCORING: Supervisor – see Part 2

0 = Not Applicable2 = Meets Standards

1 = Does Not Meet Standards3 = Exceeds Standards

4 = Far Exceeds Standards

Employee Comments:

Employee Future Goals:

Employee Signature: Date:

Supervisor Comments:

Supervisor Signature: Date:

5/26/2010Page 1 of 7