The Special Assignment Nurse (SAN) is a unique member of the interdisciplinary team. The SAN moves between nursing roles and departments to provide support and coverage as needed. SAN primary responsibilities include: vacation relief in patient care and admissions, the admission of patients to hospice care, case management and special projects as assigned. In all situations, the SAN is a member of the core interdisciplinary team responsible for the care and case management of patient/families admitted to hospice service. The SAN, in collaboration with pt/family, physician and interdisciplinary and facility team (when applicable), develops and coordinates an individualized, collaborative Plan of Care (POC) that reflects pt/family goals related to Safe & Comfortable Dying, Self-Determined Life Closure and Effective Bereavement. The SAN demonstrates: sensitivity and compassion for the issues involved with serving patients and families facing a terminal illness, death and bereavement; clinical competence in pain and symptom management; and fiscal responsibility in the planning and delivery of services.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Patient/family care
Recognizes the patient and family as the unit of care and IDG members.
Respects patient right to self-determination and acts as advocate within the context of the values and ethical standards of HSCC.
Demonstrates ability to meet pt/family/facility where they are.
Utilizes nursing process in providing primary care to pt/families.
Documents all care and care planning per agency policy.
Provides nursing interventions for pt/family as ordered by the physician and in accordance with the POC, safe nursing practice and the policies and procedures of HSCC.
Monitors management of pain and symptoms in collaboration with patient/family, IDG and physician to achieve maximum comfort.
Administers medications and treatments as ordered prn.
Instructs and supports pt/family unit re: symptom mgmt, patient care, disease process & death/dying.
Develops, reviews & revises HHA POC & supervises HHA performance per HSCC policies & procedures.
Case Management/Assignment Management
Coordinates with supervisor daily to confirm assignment.
Organizes day to maximize availability for combining patient care and admission needs per assignment type.
Manages a assigned caseload +/or daily assignment within assigned hours.
Overtime requests are appropriate and approved in advance.
Visit frequencies are appropriate to patient status.
Develops, reviews, revises and manages the POC that reflects pt/family goals related to Safe & Comfortable Dying, Self-Determined Life Closure and Effective Grieving.
Collaborates with IDG regarding changes in patient status and POC.
Obtains medications, medical supplies and equipment per pt need/physician order.
Assess patients continued appropriateness for hospice care per HSCC Recertification protocols. Opens, closes and revises POC per HSCC guidelines.
Documents all contacts, instructions and interventions provided per HSCC policies & procedures.
Case Management/Assignment Management
Submits completed paperwork & time sheets within the time frames per HSCC policies & procedures.
Creates individualized, collaborative POC based on the assessment of pt/family needs and goals.
POC addresses pt/family physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs.
Collaborates with IDG, Facility staff & Attending Physician to develop, review and revise a written POC that includes identified goals, interventions and outcomes and documents.
Demonstrates understanding of Facility regulator requirements.
Demonstrates understanding of Hospice Medicare/Medi-Cal Benefit.
Demonstrates understanding of pharmacy-related policies & procedures.
Monitors patients for continued appropriateness for receiving hospice care.
Completes Recertification documentation in timely & accurate manner.
Participates in providing after-hours coverage to pt/family as needed.
Professional Management/Facility Collaboration
Exercises professional management and coordinates care between and among involved parties in home, SNF and RCFE setting.
Develops, reviews and revises the Collaborative Plan of Care with facility staff to delineate plan of care and assignment of roles and responsibilities.
Develops and maintains positive, respectful relationships with facility staff.
Promotes teamwork and cooperation between HSCC and facility staff.
Develops and maintains expertise in the culture and functioning of assigned facilities.
Demonstrates understanding of regulatory requirements of licensed facilities.
Demonstrates knowledge of General Inpatient protocols and procedures.
Information/Admission Visits
Meets with patients & families in all setting to explain services, answer questions and register patient as appropriate.
Completes evaluation assessments as needed.
Collaborates with Intake SW/RN to insure smooth referral/admission process.
Reviews intake data and clarifies potential issues prior to admission visit.
Presents hospice philosophy and scope of services clearly.
Explains funding parameters including HSCC and pt/family responsibilities.
Evaluates prognosis, pt/family goals of care, caregiving and funding.
Identifies potential hot spots and confers with hospice team as appropriate.
Completes admission process and paperwork accurately and efficiently.
Initiates HHA POC as appropriate.
Reviews medication profile with contract pharmacists.
Notifies Attending Physician of outcome of evaluation/admission.
Establishes and maintains positive relationships with all referral sources.
Develops and maintains effective working relationships with referring physicians.
Receives all inquiries and provides accurate information about hospice care in a professional and sensitive manner.
Documents all required information in a timely and organized fashion.
Screening process demonstrates compliance with admission criteria and appropriate. use of input from other sources.
Demonstrates good judgment in evaluation of patient appropriateness.
Completes information & admission visits & documentation per HSCC standards.
Participates in meeting department standards for response and admission.
REQUIREMENTS:
Require current California RN license, valid state drivers license and liability auto insurance.
Available 40 hours per week
Available to work weekends routinely
Required to attend regular meetings and in-services
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:
Prefer technical experience with ports, IVs, TPN, 2-3 years RN experience in hospice, oncology, medsurg, ICU or homecare and electronic medical record keeping. Previous experience working with end of life is desirable.
SKILLS REQUIRED:
Bilingual in English/Spanish encouraged but not required.
Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:
California State issued RN license.
Hospice Palliative Nurse Certification preferred
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http://hsccjobs.iapplicants.com/searchjobs.php
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