Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association

Monday - Friday, 8a-5p, Manatee County

Under the direction of RN case manager, provides clinical, physical, and emotional support to patients as directed in plan of care, reporting significant changes in patient condition as needed. Provides support to family/caregiver reporting psychosocial/spiritual needs to team.

1.Nursing documentation displays accuracy, timeliness, legibility, professional terminology and awareness of legal implications when nursing care is delivered.
2.Presents concise, pertinent oral and written information to Team; respects input from all disciplines.
3.Incorporates behaviors supportive of internal Mission Statement, and organizational values.
4.Submits paperwork in a timely manner, and demonstrates responsibility in work attendance.
5.Performs within the framework of the philosophies, policies and procedures of Tidewell Hospice.
6.Communicates accurately and completely to staff members, patients, families and supervisors; utilizes positive approach when working with other staff members.
7.Attends Tidewell Hospice scheduled meetings.
8.Visits patients as directed per RN case manager. The reason for the visit will include, but are not restricted to, the following: dressing changes, vital sign observations, blood sugar monitoring, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, medication administration, and Foley catheter insertion.
9.Nurse will perform physical care as related to Activities of Daily Living and directed by the RN case manager.
10.Report any change in the patient condition to the RN case manager.
11.Liaise with the facility staff before and after each visit.
12.Other duties as assigned.

The above statement reflects the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent or required in the position.

Physical Requirements:

1.Heavy work; exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally (occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time), and 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently (frequently: activity or condition exists 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to move objects, including the human body.
2.Standing/Walking: Must stand/walk frequently and intermittently to accomplish tasks. May also chose to stand while completing alternate duties.
3.Lifting: Must frequently raise objects including the human body, from a lower to higher position or move objects, including the human body, horizontally from position to position.
4.Pushing/Pulling: Must occasionally use upper extremities to push and/or pull objects, including the human body, in a sustained motion.
5.Climbing: Must frequently climb in and out of car. Must frequently ascend and descend stairs, uneven surfaces, or obstacles, which may be located indoors or outdoors, and may not be handicap-accessible.
6.Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching: Must frequently stoop, kneel, and crouch during the provision of patient care.
7.Balancing: Must maintain balance, which is necessary for ordinary locomotion and body equilibrium.
8.Sitting: Must sit frequently when traveling to patients’ home and may also choose to sit while completing administrative duties.
9.Reaching: Must frequently reach to administer patient care services, treatments and procedures.
10.Fingering/Grasping: Must frequently finger and/or grasp objects, including medical supplies/equipment, the human body and a writing instrument, during the provision of patient care.
11.Feeling: Must frequently touch objects, including the human body, to perceive attributes such as size, shape, temperature, or texture.
12.Talking: Must frequently exchange information in person on the telephone to patients, doctors, family members, and co-workers by means of the spoken word.
13.Repetitive motion, including writing and driving.
14.Sensory Needs: Must possess fine motor skills, visual acuity, (including near and far vision) color discrimination and depth perception, and those senses necessary for patient observation, communication and driving, including sight, touch, hearing, and smell.

Working Conditions:

1.Subject to environmental conditions: activities occur inside and outside.
2.Subject to a variety of physical conditions within individual patient homes; safety issues may include basic home safety, environmental safety, and bathroom safety.
3.Subject to occasional exposure to hazards associated with blood and potentially infectious materials.
4.Subject to occasional exposure to hazardous substance and hazardous waste.

Educational/Professional:

1.Graduate of school of vocational nursing.
2.Current license in the State of Florida or
3.Current licensure from another State plus a temporary Florida permit.
4.Ability to communicate in English, bilingual desired.
5.Previous Health Care experience required.
6.Hospice/Home Health experience preferred.
7.Valid State of Florida driver’s license and automobile insurance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

“Under the direction of a Tidewell Hospice (RN)” means that the RN has delegated infusion therapy functions to a LPN. The RN does not, in all instances, have to be on premises with the LPN. “Direct Supervision” means that the RN must be on the premises and immediately physically available in order for the LPN to perform duty.

1.Under the direction of a Tidewell Hospice RN, the following aspects of infusion therapy are considered with the scope of practice for the CC LPN.
a.Central Venous Line (CVL) site assessment.
b.CVL dressing and cap changes
c.CVL flushing
d.CVL medication and fluid administration (no IV pushes other than Heparin or saline; may not add medications to IV’s).
e.Draw blood peripherally and from CVL.
f.Start, remove, and inspect peripheral IV site.
2.Demonstrates clinical skills regarding application of Tidewell Hospice clinical and administrative policy and procedures such as; pain medication titration under the direction of a Tidewell Hospice RN, symptom management, and patient/family relationships.
3.Observes and reports signs of adverse reactions; response to treatments and results of dressing changes.
4.Participates in providing 24 hour a day, 7-day a week patient care, responding to physical and psychosocial needs as identified by Tidewell Hospice RN.
5.Consults and collaborates with other professionals to promote quality and continuity of patient/family care.
6.Provides bereavement support to the patient caregiver/family, as required.
7.Accepts responsibility and is accountable for nursing actions; requests supervision when needed; performs within the guidelines established by the Florida Nurse Practice Act.
8.Ability to work flexible hours as required meeting identified patient needs committing to a rotation of every other weekend and holiday.