General Purpose:
Primarily responsible for the efficient and effective delivery of hospice care in all settings, as well as the oversight and evaluation of such care with the goal of continuous improvement. Responsible for the hiring, orientation, training, and evaluation of qualified employees to provide patient/family care in accordance with applicable law and regulation, accepted standards of practice, as well as Company policies and procedures.
Licensure, Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
- Nursing: Bachelor’s Degree Required, Master’s Degree Preferred
- Active license to practice as an RN.
- One (1) – two (2) years of hospice experience as a Registered Nurse
- Three (3) years of hospice or related health care organization experience managing caregivers within the last five (5) years.
- Assumes the responsibilities of the Hospice Administrator in his or her absence.
- Primarily responsible to ensure that established processes are in place to screen, hire, orient, educate and retain a sufficient number of hospice employees to meet the care needs of the hospice patients/families.
- Primarily responsible for evaluating the care provided to ensure that it is in compliance with established policies and procedures; reflects accepted standards of hospice clinical practice; complies with law and regulation and contract provisions; as well as applicable government guidelines (e.g., CDC, OSHA).
- Ensures that effective processes are in place to provide:
- adequate and appropriate supervision of hospice employees;
- employee access to appropriately qualified supervisory staff during all hours of operations;
- oversight of and assistance to clinical supervisors;
- ongoing education of hospice employees about: regulations, guidelines, current standards of hospice and palliative care practice, policies and procedures and the quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) program and each employee’s role in such. • Assists the Hospice Administrator as assigned in the preparation and administration of the organization’s budget and the development and execution of strategic goals.
- Oversees the maintenance of patient/family records, statistics and reports for the purpose of evaluation of care and services provided, as well as compliance with applicable law and regulation, (including voluntary accreditation standards if applicable).
- Responsible for the adequate inventory of, and procedures regarding access to, drugs, biologicals, medical appliances and supplies to meet the care needs of the patients per the benefit provisions of the patient’s payor source and for the day-to-day delivery of care.
- Understands current trends and advancements in the delivery of hospice care and communicates such knowledge to appropriate members of the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) with the goal of improving efficiency and effectiveness of care.
- Regularly communicates with the Hospice Administrator regarding: compliance with regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures, standards of practice and the activity and results of the QAPI program; response to and resolution of complaints; and reports and analysis of occurrences and sentinel events.
- Actively participates as a member of the IDG.
- Attends mandatory in services and provides required documentation to keep employee file current.
- Participates in the Office’s Emergency Preparedness Program, as requested.
- Participates in hospice program activities: family celebration service (mandatory), volunteer bereavement, fundraising, and community activities.
- Serves as active member of Executive Committee.
- Has access, use and ability to disclose personal health information (“PHI”) necessary to fulfill the above duties and responsibilities and as defined by each organization.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:
- Knowledge of the scope of regulations, and standards of practice that apply to hospice care and the scope of services provided.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, retain and manage an effective team of health professionals of multiple disciplines, as well as paraprofessionals in the home and inpatient settings.
- Demonstrated multi-tasking ability and effective organizational skills in order to meet short deadlines with finite resources.
- Ability to supervise and direct professional and administrative employees.
- Computer proficiency including the ability to utilize software programs used by the organization.
- Knowledge of and commitment to the hospice philosophy of care.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Able to work as a member of the IDG.
- Able to effectively communicate with clinical and non-clinical employees, patients and family/caregivers.
- Able to effectively deal with change.
- Able to provide proof of current CPR certification.
- Able to provide proof of valid driver’s license if applicable.
- Able to provide proof of valid auto liability insurance if assignments(s) include driving vehicle.
- Meets applicable federal and state health requirements to provide patient care as appropriate.
- Meets the requirements of federal and/or state criminal and abuse background checks where applicable.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:
- Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment and may require occasional work to be performed in patient homes or inpatient settings such as hospitals or nursing homes.
- Occasional exposure to communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens and/or other potentially infectious or hazardous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions which may include the use of protective equipment (i.e., face masks, goggles, latex and/or non-latex gloves).
- Able to occasionally travel locally and out of town as needed.
- Able to constantly stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, kneel and reach freely.
- Able to constantly grasp with thumb in opposition to fingers of palm, i.e., manipulate pen, knobs or objects.
- Visual acuity, dexterity and hearing to perform required skills.
- Able to work flexible schedule including overtime and evening hours as needed.
- Medium physical activity that may require occasional lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling up to 50 lbs in order to carry out daily job functions and related activities that may be required.
