Hospice: RN Case Manager (North Central)

Functions & Responsibilities

• Completes an initial, comprehensive and ongoing comprehensive assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs.
• Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).
• Utilizes all elements of nursing process and as defined in the state Nurse Practice Act.
• Affirms and evaluates patient’s status by:
• Writing and initiating plan of care
• Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs
• Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary
• Initiates the plan of care and makes necessary revisions as patient status and needs change.
• Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis
• 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
• Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures.
• Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care
• Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs
• Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan
• Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care
• Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Supervisor and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload
• Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given.
• Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate
• Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required
• Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan
• 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
• Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient
• Affords assistance to the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care
• Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice interdisciplinary group to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver
• Attends interdisciplinary group meetings
• Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy
• Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available
• Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required
• 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
• Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments
• Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities

Qualifications

• 2 years’ RN experience in health care (preferably home care or hospice)
• Experience in customer service/direct member contact field preferred
• Experience supervising caregivers
• Knowledge of corporate business management, governmental regulations, ACHC standards, and private payer practice
• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Current Minnesota Nursing License
• Must pass a MVR check based on Lifespark company policy