Hospice Nurse, RN

About the Role

3HC has provided compassionate care to North Carolinians since 1981. We strive to ensure our patients enjoy life’s journey, recover quickly, and live comfortably. We believe in providing high-quality, cost-effective care that surpasses industry standards. If you want to make a difference, provide meaningful one-on-one care, and develop relationships with both your patients and team members, join Team 3HC!

3HC strives to provide a positive work culture that feels more like a family atmosphere where we support our team members so they can reach their personal & professional best.

Responsibilities

• Abides by and supports 3HC's Compliance Program and Code of Ethics, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Creates positive experiences for internal and external customers (patients, families, referral sources, vendors, community, and internal staff).
• Provides comfort to patient/family to facilitate quality of life and death with dignity:
  • Provides skilled nursing care as outlined in the physician's plan of care.
  • Completes hospice admissions and educates patients and families on the hospice concept and benefit.
  • Plans, coordinates, provides, and directs compassionate, quality patient care.
  • Actively participates in the coordination of all aspects of the patient's hospice care, including interdisciplinary assessments, care plan development, and patient counseling.
  • Ensures continuity of care for all hospice patients.
  • Assists the interdisciplinary team in developing and implementing the patient/family care plan.
  • Refers hospice patients to other services as needed.
  • Provides end-of-life care as outlined in the plan of care and policy procedures.
  • Assesses medicinal and DME (Durable Medical Equipment) needs on an ongoing basis.
  • Participates in QAPI (Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement) and QI (Quality Improvement) projects as requested.
  • Assists Social Workers with bereavement counseling as requested.
• Continuously evaluates the patient’s condition to provide individualized nursing visits.
• Maintains current electronic documentation and downloads daily:
  • Ensures complete documentation supporting Hospice guidelines & Conditions of Participation (COPs).
  • Completes assessment information in the EMR within 48 hours.
• Ensures physician and/or Hospice Medical Director involvement in patient care:
  • Reports reactions to treatments, changes in patient condition, and outcomes of interventions.
  • Consults with the attending physician and/or Hospice Medical Director concerning alterations to the plan of treatment.
  • Verifies that the physician listed on orders will sign them.
• Provides regular supervision to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and paraprofessionals:
  • Ensures tasks assigned to LPNs are within the Nurse Practice Act.
  • Supervises LPNs on every patient at least every 30 days.
• Ensures care provided by nursing assistants:
  • Provides a telephonic plan of care and specific duties to be performed.
  • Supervises and evaluates care given at least every 14 days.
  • Participates in periodic conferences concerning performance.
• Collaborates with supervisor to meet assigned productivity standards.
• Rotates weekday, weekend, and holiday "on-call" and "back-up call".
• During low hospice census:
  • Covers visits in other offices as assigned.
  • Makes home health visits.
  • Visits referring hospice physicians for marketing.
  • Visits nursing homes and talks with administrators.
  • Acts as a resource person for the community on the Hospice Program.
  • Ensures referrals are evaluated timely with an NPU (New Patient Utilization) rate of less than 6%.
• Maintains regular communication with supervisor:
  • Communicates patient problems timely following the chain of command.
  • Uses current processes and technology to communicate information.
  • Coordinates hospice care with the Director of Clinical Practice/Assistant Clinical Director and the IDG (Interdisciplinary Group) team.
• Ensures 3HC can bill for services appropriately:
  • Completes certifications and re-certifications within designated timeframes.
  • Obtains verbal orders from hospitals, MDs, and attending physicians within 48 hours of Start of Care (SOC).
  • Stays up-to-date on reimbursement criteria and documentation requirements, including preauthorization and re-authorizations.
• Stays abreast of overall patient care and improves nursing care skills:
  • Participates in office staff meetings, QAPI programs, intra-disciplinary team care plan development, patient care conferences, record audits, utilization reviews, and in-services.
  • Attends and participates in interdisciplinary team conferences at least 75% of the time.
  • Attends mandatory in-services, hospice-sponsored training, and continuing education seminars to satisfy CEU requirements of the State Board of Nursing.
  • Strives to improve nursing care through continuing education, professional organizations, and individual research.
• Notifies attending physicians, staff members, and family members of patient deaths when they occur.
• Collaborates with Procare Pharmacy regarding medication changes, administration, and recommendations, sharing recommendations with the attending MD.
• Demonstrates an interest in personal and professional growth for self and staff:
  • Attends workshops, seminars, and webcasts to stay current with changes in rules and regulations.
  • Engages in individual reading and research.
  • Recommends educational opportunities for staff and encourages participation.
• Demonstrates cost-effectiveness in the use of agency resources, monitoring waste, and ensuring proper and safe use of supplies and equipment.
• Adheres to 3HC's Personnel Policy and performs other duties as assigned to promote successful operations and future growth.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse currently licensed to practice nursing in the state of North Carolina.
• Minimum of one-year experience as a professional nurse in an acute care setting.
• Evidence of leadership qualities.
• Previous experience working with terminally ill patients preferred.
• Ability to understand and communicate well with patients, family, staff, physicians, and the public.
• Maintain current CPR certification (BCLS).
• Must be dependable and capable of dealing pleasantly and tactfully with patients, family, staff, providers, and the public.
• Must be competent to perform delegated tasks to facilitate positive patient outcomes as indicated in the patient's individualized plan of care.
• Possess a valid Driver's License and reliable transportation.