Home Health & Hospice DON en Franklin County Medical Center

Description

Job Title: Home Health & Hospice DON

Department: Home Health & Hospice

Reports To: Administrator

FLSA Status: Exempt

Hours: 40/week

Shift: Days, with alternating call rotation

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Home Health & Hospice DON develops policies and procedures for home health, hospice, Area Agency on Aging (AAA), and private duty services. Organizes and allocates nursing and support staff to carry out the activities necessary to accomplish the nursing service and program objectives. Maintains agency/program compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and corrects any deficiencies. Projects the number, type, and use of personnel for the current and future needs of the agency. This position is deemed safety-sensitive and will adhere to all policies associated with this designation. The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this job.

• Organizes and administers all Home Health Programs, including Hospice and AAA programs
• Maintain program compliance with laws and regulations, as well as applicable hospital and Medical staff policies
• Organizes and serves as a member of the record review team in Home Health, Hospice, and related health programs
• Participation in developing and revising the department's policies, procedures, and general organization
• Arranges and takes part in the overall evaluation of the department’s program at intervals required by Medicare
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and patient care conferences weekly with the Home Health and Hospice teams
• Serves as a member of different Home Health and Hospice associations, attending their meetings as needed for educational purposes
• Acts as a liaison in other facilities, Nursing Homes, community agencies, and with local, state, and federal government departments to ensure proper utilization of the department's services
• Speaks at various engagements in the community to promote services
• Review department activities, problems, needs, and statistical data with board members at board meetings and individually
• Invites community knowledge of and participation in the department services through group and individual discussions, and provides information to the news media
• Submits a timely Home Health and Hospice budget to the CFO and operates the department within the approved budget through the authorization of expenditures 
• Oversee the collection of statistical data relating to Quality Improvement
• Leads, participates, and supports quality improvement initiatives
• Timely documentation, according to the current Franklin County Medical Center’s Timely Documentation Protocol, is required
• Maintain confidentiality by protecting sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information. Adhere to HIPAA privacy and security requirements
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols
• Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required to maintain Infection Control Standards as set by the facility
• Performs other related duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises the maintenance of accurate and complete patient records and the documentation of services for financial reimbursement
• Responsible for weekly patient assignments to all Nursing Staff, delegates as desired
• Attends and participates in Department Head Meetings
• Works full-time and is available at all times during operating hours, or delegates duties to a qualified nurse
• Recruit qualified individuals, and orient and supervise the activities of department personnel
• Coaches and disciplines staff as needed
• Assists in the development and revision of Job Descriptions
• Regularly gives timely personnel evaluations in a constructive manner
• Conducts staff meetings each month and helps to organize staff in-services
• Maintains staff records of in-service training with the assistance of each employee
• Create, update, and enforce department policies and procedures
• Plans and participates in staff development conferences and in-service education programs

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES

• An understanding of Medicare and Medicaid standards and regulations as they apply to Home Health and Hospice
• Considerable knowledge and skill in current practice, particularly as it relates to therapeutic and palliative care in the home or other facilities
• A service-minded work ethic with a drive to meet patient care needs and a positive, upbeat attitude when encountering ambiguity and change
• Ability to interact effectively with people who have widely differing backgrounds
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to manage multiple patients at a time
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization's electronic medical record, medical equipment, and other technologies
• Proficiency in faxing, emailing, and Google Suite
• Knowledge in nursing, healthcare safety, state and federal regulations, and regulatory processes
• Must be capable of supervising multiple aspects of patient care and individuals providing that care
• Must be able to hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergencies

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current License as a Registered Nurse in the state of Idaho, BSN preferred
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is optional
• Current Wound Care Certification required or willing to obtain within 12 months of hire
• Outcome and Assessment Information Sent (OASIS) certification required or willing or obtain within 6 months of hire
• Home Health and Hospice experience preferred
• Two years of Management Experience required 
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Regular and predictable attendance
• Expected to lift and utilize a full range of movement to transfer patients. Will also bend to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment. Typically includes items of varying weights, up to and including heavy items or patients
• Need to walk and assist with transporting/ambulating patients, as well as obtaining and distributing supplies and equipment. This includes pushing/pulling gurneys and portable equipment, including heavy items or patients
• Often required to navigate crowded and busy rooms (full of equipment, power cords on the floor, etc.)
• May be expected to stand in a stationary position for an extended period of time
• Must be able to access and navigate throughout the department within the organization's facilities
• Ongoing need for the employee to see and read information labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, and identify/operate equipment and supplies
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing necessary information, and other related tasks
• Must be able to travel in an automobile and move in and around patients’ homes 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• FCMC operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The operational needs of departments may require that you be available to work all shifts, including weekends and holidays, to meet the needs of patients.
• Potential exposure to blood, body tissue, fluids, contagious diseases, and hazardous waste.
• Occasional exposure to bodily injury, loud/unpleasant noise, unpleasant odor, and emotional or physical stress.
• May be required to work day or night in a confined environment or in varying temperatures.
• The employee works in the hospital setting. 
• Must be able to travel to and from patients' homes.
• May be required to travel to other facilities to obtain training as necessary.