On Call Nurse, VNHSC

General Summary of Duties: To provide professional nursing services during assigned night and/or evening weekend hours.

Supervision Received: Reports directly to manager (or coordinator) of extended hours or of weekend staff.

Supervision Exercised: None.

Typical Physical Demands: Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination. Requires standing, walking, and the ability to ascend and descend stairs. Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 30 pounds. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Requires working under stressful conditions. Requires some exposure to communicable diseases and/or bodily fluids.

Typical Work Conditions: Work is performed in patients' homes and in an office environment. Some exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, and medicinal preparations.

Essential Duties: (This list may not include all of the duties assigned.)

1. C4, F4: Makes scheduled visits and triages all calls during after-usual-business hours, as assigned..

2. C4, F4: Makes unscheduled, but necessary, home visits during extended hours.

3. C4, F4: Assesses patients' needs, provides appropriate plan of action, and assures patients' needs are addressed.

4. C3, F1: Reports significant patient calls and problems to the Supervisor of Clinical Services or other appropriate staff member by 8:00 a.m. each morning.

5. C4, F3: Responds to all calls for death pronouncements and remains with family members until body is released or until pastoral or other support is available.

6. C4, F4: Provides intermittent nursing service to patients and their families in compliance with state and federal regulations, incorporating the following:

a) A complete physical and psychosocial assessment, as appropriate.

b) Implementation of an appropriate care plan and therapeutic goals with the patient/family.

c) Evaluates patient safety on a 24-hour basis.

d) Collaboration with appropriate staff in management of patient care.

e) Ongoing evaluation of significant changes in the condition of the patient and or progress toward the therapeutic goals.

f) Instruction of patient/family in procedures or responsibilities they are assuming and optimum wellness practices

g) Planning for the patient's discharge from service.

7. C4, F4: Documents all services provided in the clinical record in accordance with state and federal regulations and Agency policy:

a) All records are complete, accurate, and done in timely fashion:

• admissions within 24 hours from first visit.

• subsequent visits within 24 hours.

b) Obtains physician verbal orders and complies with all reporting requirements.

c) Participates in coordination of care with other disciplines.

8. C4, F2: Establishes and evaluates the plan of care to be delegated to the Homemaker/Home Care Aide/Companion, orients and supervises the home care aide in accordance with state and federal regulations and Agency policy:

a) Develops written plan of care for the HMK/HCA/Companion and updates this plan as patient's condition warrants; plan of care must be reviewed every 62 days.

b) Obtains input from HMK/HCA/Companion regarding patient progress.

c) Prepares written performance evaluations of home care aides under his/her supervision at the request of the Home Care Aide Department.

d) Provides supervision of home care aides at a minimum of every two weeks or as required by payor source, as requested by Supervisory Clinical Services.

9. C3, F1: Develops and maintains sufficient professional skills to meet the needs of patient care: a) Attends a minimum of 12 hours of in-service per year.

b) Participates actively in self-appraisal and the formation of a plan of self-development.

c) Knowledgeable of Agency policies and procedures.

d) Seeks appropriate supervision.

e) Projects professional image through attitude and compliance with dress code.

f) Functions as a team member with consideration to all staff.

g) Provides agency with current copy of professional license.

h) Maintains CPR certification.

Ancillary Duties:



1. C3, F1: Performs other duties as necessary to support Agency programs as assigned by the Supervisor of Clinical Services as appropriate.

2. C4, F1: Performs other duties as necessary to support Agency programs as assigned by the Supervisor of Clinical Services, as appropriate.

a) Time worked is recorded regularly and accurately.

b) Personnel records are complete with but not limited to current professional licensee, auto and malpractice insurance.

HIPAA and Privacy: Properly direct any complaints and/or grievances as indicated per VNHSC policy. Comply with HIPAA regulations, specifically the Privacy and Security Rules. Protect personal health information (PHI), electronic personal health information (EPHI) and financial information by limiting the use and disclosure of health information and financial information to the minimum amount necessary with only those who must know how to get the job done. Follow the department's specific policies and procedures to protect health information. Help one another to ensure confidentiality at all times.

Knowledge, Skills, and Requirements: Knowledge of professional nursing theory and practice and the skills to practice and evaluate patient care. Knowledge of Agency policies, regulations and procedures to administer patient care. Knowledge of medical equipment currently used to provide patient care. Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions to establish a safe work environment. Skill in applying and modifying the principles, methods and techniques of professional nursing to provide ongoing patient care. Skill in identifying patient-related problems and recommending solutions. Skill in documentation in clinical records. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, families, physicians, co-workers, and the community. Ability to maintain quality control standards. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations. Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures. Ability to communicate clearly. Possess adequate transportation to carry out job requirements. Must show proof of satisfactory automobile insurance with minimum coverage to be $100,000/300,000 as determined by Agency policy for bodily injury and property damage when using automobile for transportation. Willingness to provide service in any part of agency geographic area, according to agency need.

Education: Graduate of a NLN approved school of nursing, associate or baccalaureate degree program.

Experience: One (1) year of recent medical/surgical nursing experience, additional experience in community health nursing preferred.

Certificate/License: Possession of a current license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Connecticut. Possession of an individual malpractice insurance policy.