HOME HEALTH NURSE

HOME HEALTH NURSE

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assesses the physical, psychological, and social dimensions and the educational needs of the patient on admission and completes a written assessment within the time frame designated by the type of patient.
• Identifies patient needs and formulates a written care plan based on the assessment of the patient. Care plan is initiated within 24 hours of admission.
• Plan of care is implemented and documentation of effectiveness is reflected in the medical record. Revises/updates the plan as necessary or at least every 24 hours. Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.
• Promotes patient's independence by establishing patient care goals; teaching patient, friends, and family to understand condition, medications, and self-care skills; and answering questions.
• Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards; measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards; making or recommending necessary adjustments; following hospital and nursing division's philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, state nurse practice act, and other governing agency regulations.
• Resolves patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies.
• Protects patients and other employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
• Maintains continuity of care among nursing teams and physicians by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing patient needs.
• Maintains a cooperative relationship among healthcare teams by communicating information; responding to requests; building rapport; and participating in team problem-solving methods.
• Utilizes leadership skills through delegation to, communicate with, and evaluate team members.
• Recognizes changes in status of the patient and provides appropriate intervention and documentation.
• Provides ongoing patient and family education based on daily assessment of disease process, care requirements, and expected recovery.
• Prioritizes care based on individual patient needs.
• Demonstrates strong focus on patient education.
• Initiates appropriate referrals as identified to meet the discharge needs of patients in collaboration with case management.
• Participates in in-service and/or continuing education to maintain and improve understanding of the present and future trends in healthcare, and participates in unit and hospital-wide committees to identify needs and assists in continuous performance improvement. Attends a minimum of eight monthly staff meetings annually.
• Communicates identified unit problems following appropriate chain of command (Coordinator, Manager, Director, Vice President), and actively participates in the problem- solving process.
• Demonstrates job related aspects of patient safety to assure a safe environment, safe and effective use of equipment and technology, and decreased risk of potential adverse patient occurrences.

Related experience preferred, not required.
• Current certification in AHA-BLS for Healthcare Providers required or obtain within 2 weeks of hire.