Primary Responsibilities:
1. Promote Community Hospice as the preferred provider of hospice care in our service area by effectively communicating the benefits of hospice care and addressing patient/family objections.
2. Provide information about Community Hospice services and philosophy to patients, caregivers, physicians, LTC administrators, directors of nursing, and the community.
3. Implement Medicare Local Coverage Determination to assess patients for hospice eligibility.
4. Gather and communicate relevant information to/from admission physicians and referring physicians to determine hospice eligibility.
5. Perform physical assessments, identify immediate needs including spiritual, functional, psychosocial, and financial aspects.
6. Apply appropriate nursing interventions and document them clearly in the electronic medical record.
7. Facilitate admission to Community Hospice.
8. Provide emotional support to patients and families/caregivers with compassion and empathy.
9. Maintain patient and family confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and assess patient risk and safety issues per policies.
10. Develop initial patient care plans based on identified needs and communicate physician orders for medications, DME, and treatments.
11. Demonstrate knowledge of medications used in end-of-life care, including side effects and interactions.
12. Coordinate with physicians to ensure patient comfort through appropriate orders and assessments.
13. Arrange and support necessary changes in patient care levels and facilitate transfers based on Medicare conditions.
14. Adhere to professional ethical standards when delivering services.
15. Engage in professional development to stay informed about end-of-life care, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and state regulations.
16. Educate patients, families, and staff about Advance Directives, including Health Care Surrogate and Proxy.
17. Evaluate team members’ adherence to policies and provide feedback to management.
18. Mentor and educate new staff members.
19. Build and maintain relationships with physicians, social workers, discharge planners, and community agencies to facilitate patient admission and placement.
20. Educate the medical community on hospice-appropriate referrals and benefits of early referrals.
21. Develop and strengthen relationships with hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
22. Represent Community Hospice professionally through the care and services provided.
Required Licenses/Certifications:
* Registered Nurse license in Florida.
* Current CPR certification.
* Valid Florida driver’s license with an acceptable driving record and reliable transportation.
* Successful background screening by AHCA (Level II).
* CHPN certification is a plus.
Education/Experience:
* Possession of a diploma or associate degree in nursing, or a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
* Minimum of two years’ experience in hospital or LTC settings; ICU or ER experience is advantageous.
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