GENERAL SUMMARY:
This position is responsible for providing quality patient care via the development, implementation, and evaluation of individual patient care plans.  Acts as the liaison between the Agency, patient, and their families.  Follows established professional standards of care in accordance with current applicable state, federal, and licensing guidelines and regulations, as well as Agency standards, to ensure the highest degree of quality resident care is maintained at all times. Act as the client advocate and assumes the authority, responsibility and accountability for the quantity and quality of the client care given on assigned case.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops, implements, and communicates plan of care that corresponds with the physician orders through assessment of patient’s needs, condition, environment, consultation with other health team members, at time of initial visit and updates plan of care regularly as necessary and documents and communicates this care according to agency procedures.  Provides for ongoing evaluation of client condition.
• Provides for the delivery of competent and quality nursing care to assigned clients in the home in alignment with licensure and care plan.  
• Maintains and monitors an ongoing case load of clients.  Ensures that client visits are being documented appropriately and proper care, according to the plan of care, is being administered.  Proactively communicates with other team members on assigned cases to ensure knowledge of client status and any changes in condition.
• Provides direction to LPNs and home health aides in accordance with current rules, regulations and guidelines established by the Ohio Department of Health and CMS Life Safety Code and ensure that personnel providing direct care to residents are doing so in accordance with the residents’ care plan and wishes.  Monitor assigned staff to ensure they are following established safety regulations and infection control techniques in the use of equipment and supplies.
• Completes accident/incident reports as necessary, report changes in condition and ensure appropriate documentation regarding such in the medical record.
• Provides patients and families with the knowledge and assistance to learn appropriate self care techniques.
• Regularly and consistently documents nurses’ notes in the resident case file in an informative and descriptive manner that reflects the care provided to the resident, as well as the resident’s response to that care.  Receives physician’s telephone orders and transcribe orders to resident chart, care plan, medication and treatment records.
• Communicates with Director of Nursing regarding supply inventory.  Makes recommendations for changes in supplies or necessary supplies.
• Participates in employee performance evaluations, determining shift staffing requirements and makes recommendations to supervisors concerning employee discipline, dismissals, transfers, etc.
• Participates in all required in-services.
• Review complaints and grievances made by the resident/family, making written and/or oral report to the nurse managers. Report all allegations of abuse and begin immediate investigation.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:  

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Current, active Registered Nursing Licensure (RN) in the state of Ohio.  

EXPERIENCE:
Experience with the elderly preferred.
At least 2 years previous experience in a home health care setting.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must have demonstrated Proficiency with OASIS and knowledge of coding.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate and listen to families, residents, visitors, staff and government agencies both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, families, and support agencies.
• Knowledgeable of nursing and medical practice and procedures as well as laws, regulations and guidelines pertaining to long-term care operations.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providing quality care.
• Ability to provide work direction and performance feedback.  
• Ability to incorporate new methods and principles into existing nursing practices and relay information concerning resident condition.
• Ability to interact with residents in a patient, tactful, a cheerful manner, as well as the ability to handle difficult and demanding people in a professional and effective manner.