JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                      RN - Home Health

REPORTS TO POSITION:         Nurse Manager - Home Health

DEPARTMENT:                         Home Health

DATE LAST REVIEWED:          September 23, 2020

OUR VISION:                Creating America’s healthiest community, together

OUR MISSION:             In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

OUR VALUES:              Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

DEPARTMENTAL SUMMARY: St Charles Home Health Services provides skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work and home health aide services to patients in their homes. Services are provided by interdisciplinary team based on patient’s needs to maximize patient’s outcomes and to prevent hospitalizations.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The RN - Home Health administers skilled nursing care to patients on an intermittent basis in their place of residence.  This is performed in accordance with physician orders and plan of care under the direction and supervision of the Manager/Supervisor.  The Home Health RN provides quality patient and family centered care as a member of the health care team in accordance with St. Charles Health System mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures. This RN will oversee the work of other caregivers, providing specific care to assigned patient(s), as required under the scope of the RN licensure. This nursing position will provide and oversee the provision of specific care to assigned patients throughout the shift, consistent with the scope of RN licensure.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

Applies standards for professional nursing practice and focuses clinical care to enhance the experience for patients, families, and all others.

Reviews requests for services at the beginning of shift and determines efficient route, timing of services and delivery requirements. 

Ensures all needed supplies are on hand and available for off site visits.

Drives vehicle in a safe and appropriate manner to all locations. 

Reports to assigned locations in an appropriate manner and enters patient’s homes, assisted living and long term care residences, jails or other designated locations in compliance with that facilities protocol(s).  Adheres to outside agency’s conduct guidelines

Efficiently and appropriately completes all tasks in manner that respects environment of patient(s)

Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary care team to assure effective case management of patient care, including optimum clinical outcomes within the financial frame work of PPS and other payment systems.

Meets productivity standards set forth by the Home Health department.

Identifies patients appropriate for Lifeline.

Responds to after hours calls, accurately assesses medical needs, conducts a visit or directs patient to appropriate and necessary care.

Assesses the patient’s condition and needs using critical thinking and clinical judgment: sets outcomes; implements appropriate nursing actions and collaborates with other disciplines to meet the patient’s/family’s physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and intellectual needs; and evaluates patient’s progress.

Maintains and demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of nursing principles, practices, standards, and techniques and applies this knowledge in accordance with St. Charles Health System policies and work instructions and within laws and regulations governing nursing practice in the State of Oregon.

Calculates dosages and administers medications accurately in accordance with St. Charles Health System policies and procedures for medication administration

Documents all patient care with proficiency in compliance with hospital policies and regulatory agencies.

Demonstrates awareness of and supports St. Charles Health System’s departmental and operating unit goals through participation in continuous quality improvement and departmental activities.

Participates in activities that promote professional growth and development of self and others.

Communicates (both written and orally) effectively and maintains professional relationships with caregivers, medical staff, patients, and families.

Identifies work-related problems with possible solutions and implements solution(s) (within scope of practice), when appropriate.

Responsible to manage the patient’s experience by clarifying, integrating, and coordinating the roles of the interdisciplinary team.

Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports Value Improvement Practice (VIP- Lean) principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.  Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.

Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate. 

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

Participates in creating a healing environment that supports all aspects of the care environment and the wholeness of each individual, patient and caregiver.

Participates in creating intentional relationships and demonstrates focus attitudes and behaviors that enhance the care experience.

Provides a therapeutic presence in service to others by purposefully responding to the needs of patients in a caring way, including introducing oneself and explaining role in patient’s care, asking the patient his or her preferred name, sitting with the patient to determine his or her care goals, active listening, and communicating effectively and appropriately through touch, eye contact, etc.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests

Documents all patient care with proficiency in compliance with hospital policies and regulatory agencies

Calculates dosages and administers medications accurately in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures for medication administration.

EDUCATION                  

Required:  As required for licensure/certification 

Preferred: BSN

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION

Required:

Current valid Oregon RN license

AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification

Valid Oregon driver's license and ability to meet St. Charles Health System driving requirements

Ability to travel to patient residences with own vehicle

Preferred: N/A 

EXPERIENCE

Required:   1 year experience in a relevant nursing experience where assessment skills and critical thinking have been used regularly.

Preferred: Recent home health experience                    

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION: 

Skills:

General:

Must have excellent communication skills and ability to interact with a diverse population and professionally represent St. Charles Health System.

Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills and ability to work independently  

Strong team working and collaborative skills.

Strong analytical, problem solving and decision making skills. 

Basic to intermediate ability and experience in computer applications, specifically electronic medical records system and MS Office.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Continually (75% or more): Standing and walking, keyboard operation, use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.

Frequently (50%): Sitting, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 1-25 pounds. The use and operation of a motor vehicle for Home Health and Wound Caregivers.

Occasionally (25%): Bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching, climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 25-50 pounds, grasping/squeezing, ability to hear whispered speech level.

Rarely (10%): Climbing stairs.

Never (0%):  Climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), operation of a motor vehicle.

Exposure to Elemental Factors

Rarely (10%): Wet/slippery area, chemical solution.

Never (0%):  Heat, cold, noise, dust, vibration, uneven surface.

Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category

Risk for Exposure to BBP