Licensed Practical Nurse (Hospice)

Working title: Licensed Practical Nurse (Hospice)

Classification title: LPN                                    

Division: Home Health & Hospice

Program: Hospice

Reports to: Senior Director of Hospice 

FLSA status: Non-Exempt; Full time

Schedule: Monday-Friday

Wage Range: $28.70 to $35.66 hourly; depending on number of years of transferrable experience and internal equity

RiverStone Health:

Serving the Yellowstone County community and south-central Montana for nearly 50 years, RiverStone Health is an essential provider of personal and public health services. Health, Education, Leadership and Protection – HELP is what we do.  From medical, dental and behavioral healthcare; home care and hospice; public health services like immunizations, WIC, health promotion and restaurant inspections; and educating the next generation of health professionals, our expertise spans all ages and stages of life. 

Underlying principles of access, affordability, compassion and quality in all interactions, RiverStone Health improves life, health and safety for all of the communities we serve.

Hospice Overview:

The RiverStone Health Hospice Services care for terminally ill patients who want to receive comfort-oriented care rather than continue to seek a cure. Hospice care emphasizes quality of life. Care and grief support services are provided wherever home is. Most hospice patients receive care in their home, or the home of a relative or friend.  Hospice care can also be provided in nursing homes or other facilities.  Working together with patient and family, our team of hospice professionals and volunteers help relieve physical symptoms and decrease psychological, social, emotional, or spiritual distress of patients and their caregivers. Our 24 hour on-call nursing services are available to meet urgent needs.

Job Summary:

The Licensed Practical Nurse, LPN will perform selected nursing and personal care, support and training for hospice patients, family and caregivers based on the established plan of care.  The LPN will provide intermittent nursing care in various residential properties, personal care homes and assisted living facilities. The primary duties include assessing the patient’s home environment, providing care and instruction, and communicating observations and changes to the team members.   

Essential Functions/Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

Nursing Services 95%

• Provides quality and safe delivery of hospice services according to the plan of care and under the direction of a registered nurse, RN, which may include:

  • Wound/Decubitus care requiring aseptic technique

  • Catheter care including irrigation treatment and catheter changes that are free of complications

  • Administering care, treatments, medication in compliance with physician’s orders

  • Injections

  • Bowel program treatment

  • Medication management

  • Appropriate health teaching

• Performs personal care services as directed by nursing as per the plan of care.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to patients of all age groups–must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development through the life span, possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status, and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s needs. 
• Maintains universal precautions guidelines and safety measures according to RiverStone Health policies and procedures
• Documents care provided for the patient encounter in the electronic medical records (per documentation standards) in a timely manner. Must document/chart observations, activities and other data related to the clinical condition of the patient and patient care
• Communicates with and supports caregiver regarding the patient’s condition and relieves caregiver if required
• Informs primary RN or Nursing Supervisor in a timely manner of any changes noted in the patient’s condition or needs.
• Communicates a report to the appropriate health care team members for the continuation of care, including reporting any changes in patient’s condition to the physician and family as needed.
• Attends case conferences as scheduled whether in-person, telephonically or electronically.
• Maintain knowledge of and compliance with current Medicare/Medicaid, state regulations and rules, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance and accreditation regulations for home health services
• Contributes to the provision of quality process through performance improvement techniques that demonstrates positive outcomes in patient care.
• Ability to lift and/or maneuver patients;
• Ability to exercise critical thinking skills, independent professional judgment and work as a team member
• Maintain and enhance professional growth and development through attendance in orientation, continuing educational offerings as well as organizational educational programs as requested.
• Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications including electronic medical record.
• Demonstrates interpersonal, cognitive, and technical competencies and standards of care consistent with the programs and organization’s mission, values, and series.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Ability to help cover needs and visits in home health as assigned.
• Candidates must be willing to participate in a rotating on-call shift schedule, to ensure patient care needs are available after hours, weekends, and on holidays.

Non-Essential Functions/Other duties as assigned                                        5%

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of RiverStone’s mission and goals.

Education and Experience:

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a State accredited Licensed Practical Nursing Program

• Any combination of experience and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with hospice patients

• Experience working with underserved population

• Experience working in a customer service environment

• Minimum two years nursing experience

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Licensed as a Practical Nurse in the State of Montana;

• Valid State of Montana Driver’s License and vehicle insurance (if Hospice, Home Care, and Public Health)

• Current BLS certification

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Computer literacy, in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Ability to maintain a calm and positive demeanor during difficult interactions.

• Ability to display non-judgmental and empathetic listening skills.

• High degree of detail-oriented skill level.

• Knowledge and understanding of protected sensitive patient health information (HIPAA) and confidentiality.

• Ability work collaboratively to maintain a positive work environment.

• Ability to prioritize and perform a wide range of tasks under pressure of continuous interruptions.

• Ability to perform job duties with integrity and innovation to ensure completion and a high level of quality.

• Ability to understand and adhere to required administrative policies and procedures.

• Excellent communication skills to ensure efficiencies and quality customer services.

Customer Service Excellence: 

• Doing things right the first time

• Making people feel welcome

• Showing respect for each customer

• Anticipating customer needs and concerns

• Keeping customers informed

• Helping and going the extra mile

• Responding quickly

• Protecting privacy and confidentiality

• Demonstrating proper telephone etiquette

• Taking responsibility for handling complaints

• Being professional

• Taking ownership of your attitude toward Service Excellence.

Supervision: 

• None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: 

• Required to stand, walk and sit; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls; reach with hands and arms.
• Regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch and lift up to 25 pounds frequently and 50 pounds occasionally; expected to ask for help from a colleague or utilize a lift when assistance is needed.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to travel and use own personal vehicle. Expected to drive a vehicle which requires sitting, seeing and reading signs, traffic signals, other vehicles, etc. Travel occurs in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
• Risk of needlestick injury is possible. 
• Position is regularly exposed to biological pathogens and contagious diseases where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and special precautions must be taken due to reduce exposure and mitigate risk.
• Will be exposed to home environments that may include allergens such as smoke, pets, etc.
• Create and maintain a safe/secure working environment by adhering to safety, security, and health requirements. Integrate injury, illness, and loss prevention into job activities by attending any necessary training and implementing best practices.

Freedom to Act & Decision Making:

• Uses independent judgement

• Work is structured by public health regulations and established medical practices.

• Decisions directly affect the quality of services provided to the public.

Communications & Networking:

• Contacts occur both inside and outside RiverStone Health and typically are for the purposes of rendering services to patients to gather information and provide education and instruction.
• Communication with others is a critical element of the position because the purpose of the contact may be to negotiate matters involving significant issues of importance.
• Communicate and coordinate with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interagency operations and activities.

Budget & Resource Management:

• Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and management of resources pertaining to the program budget.