RN Case Manager Oak Hill/Bee Cave Area

HOSPICE AUSTIN•Austin, TX

About The Position

Provides and coordinates nursing care in the home care program. All comments, actions and behaviors have a direct effect on the public’s perception of Hospice Austin. Interactions with patients, family members, physicians, referral sources, visitors, co-workers, etc. must be in a manner that is courteous, respectful, cooperative and professional. This behavior should promote an atmosphere of teamwork and positive relations.

Requirements

Graduation from an approved school of professional nursing as determined by the Board of Nurse Examiners.
Unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.
Valid Texas driver’s license, auto liability insurance and safe driving record.
CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

1-year previous hospice nursing experience.

Responsibilities

Provides professional nursing care for hospice patients in the homecare setting.
Performs initial and ongoing assessment of the impact of the terminal diagnosis on the patient's physical, functional, psychosocial, and environmental needs and activities of daily living, including any risk for pathological grief, cultural and spiritual implications, and verbal and non-verbal communication patterns.
Performs nursing assessments, including vital signs, pain assessment, breath sounds, etc.
Triages patient care problems
Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures as needed and facilitates movement to another level of hospice care when needed.
Develops, maintains and updates individualized plan of care that involves performing specialized nursing skills related to palliative and end-of-life care related to managing discomfort and providing symptom relief.
Consults with and educates the patient and caregivers (including hospital, alternate living facility or home health staff) regarding disease process, self-care techniques, end of life care, comfort measures, medication use and side effects, and processes for dealing with ethical issues; may provide specialized training to staff and/or caregivers to ensure adequate care provided
Performs on-going evaluation of patient/family response to care
Provides psychosocial support to patients and families
Provides preparation and support for patient’s death; pronounces deaths in accordance with state regulation, provides postmortem care, handles body and death event with respect and dignity and in accordance with patient/family/caregiver wishes
As needed and depending on current caseloads, may be asked to provide nursing care to pediatric patients
Utilizes proper bag technique in performing nursing visits
Reports adverse events (complaints, infections, falls) to team leader or quality nurse within 24 hours of obtaining information
Performs POS documentation and completes/signs all documentation according to agency protocol
Complies with minimum weekly visit requirements per company protocol
Coordinates nursing, personal and homemaker care for hospice patients in the homecare setting
Attends IDT meetings; coordinates patient/family care and services and prioritizes needs with the members of the IDT
Informs the physician and other team members of changes in the patient's needs and outcomes of intervention
Determines scope and frequency of services needed based on acuity and patient/family needs
Coordinates personal care, DME, and obtaining medications and medical supplies
Uses case management approach, referring to other services as needed (e.g. Nutritionist, PT, OT, SLP)
Provides supervision of care provided by CNAs and LVNs and homemakers providing services to the patient according to regulatory guidelines
Documents in a timely manner patient assessments, patient contacts, physician orders, and clinical and progress notes that demonstrate progress towards established goals
Ensures hospital charts (hospitals, long-term care facilities) include documentation after each patient visit as applicable
Acts as a liaison between patient and physicians, hospital staff, long-term care facility staff, and other care team members to facilitate ongoing clinical care
Works with Hospice Austin and hospital staff, regarding discharge planning, ordering DME, meds, etc.
Evaluates own needs for support and self-care, using identified system(s) to meet the need
Recognizes and maintains professional boundaries in relationships with patient/family/caregiver
Assists in developing and implementing discharge plans with a five-day notice to patient
Other duties as assigned.