RN Case Manager | NJ, Newton

• Explains, and interprets and coordinates patients' rights and advanced directives; explains Medicare Hospice Benefit when indicated.
• Performs ongoing physical and psychosocial assessment of Hospice patients.
• Follows established plan of care for each patient and reports observations to team leader or primary nurse.
• Collaborates with IDT with regards to new nursing diagnoses and need for changes in plan of care.
• Instructs and supervises the activities of hospice aides/LPN staff.
• Assists patient/family in obtaining durable medical equipment and supplies essential to care.
• Observes and records signs and symptoms of disease process.
• Communicates with the physician, the family and other health team personnel, and others to report changes in the patient's physical and/or emotional condition and identify patient needs.
• Performs patient/family teaching; utilizes teaching tools and handouts; documents all teaching and patient response.
• Facilitates and supports patient and family self-direction and independence.
• Prepares and administers medications according to policy and documents same.
• Provide support and relief for the primary care person while participating in Hospice 'at-home respite@ program and provide direct care to the patient.
• Completes chart documentation within 48 hours.
• Documents vital signs, measurements, nursing interventions, treatments and patient responses; completes flow sheets, narratives, and verbal orders, as per agency policy.
• Maintains a caseload with productivity in compliance with agency standards.
• Communicates with the Nursing Supervisor and other health team members in the planning, implementing, evaluating and coordinating of services to the patient and family in order to insure completeness and continuity of services.
• Rotates through the on-call system as scheduled for scheduled revisits.
• Incorporates the physiological and developmental age of patients into the overall plan for the delivery of patient care.
• Maintains appropriate infection control practices.
• Holds in strictest confidence all patient information and discloses information and data only to persons authorized by patient/family/representative or Hospice personnel.
• Participates in all required in service education programs and meetings. Participates in 9 out of 12 nursing meetings annually.
• Demonstrates compliance with the dress code policy by appearing well groomed, wearing ID badge while on duty and maintaining a professional appearance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Strong nursing assessment and documentation skills.
• Clinical knowledge to support the dying process.
• Ability to serve as a resource to patients and families during times of high stress and volatility.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to comprehend the spoken and written English language, to communicate with clarity both verbally and in writing.
• Well organized to manage patient/family needs, provide clinical and oversight of the inpatient Hospice operation.
• Proficiency in operating a computer; including a working knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and an electronic medical record.

KAREN ANN QUINLAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION