The Home Health Registered Nurse provides comprehensive nursing care to patients in their homes, ensuring high-quality care and adherence to care plans. This role involves assessing patient needs, developing individualized care plans, and coordinating with healthcare providers and families to deliver optimal care. The ideal candidate will possess strong clinical skills, a commitment to patient-centered care, and the ability to work independently in a home setting.

Essential Duties

• Patient Assessments: Conduct thorough assessments of patients' health conditions in their homes, including physical, emotional, and social aspects.
• Care Planning: Develop, implement, and update individualized care plans based on patient assessments, physician orders, and patient needs. Set realistic goals and monitor progress.
• Direct Nursing Care: Provide direct nursing care, including administering medications, performing wound care, and managing medical equipment as required by the care plan.
• Patient and Family Education: Educate patients and their families about medical conditions, treatment plans, and home care techniques. Provide guidance on managing health conditions and promoting overall wellness.
• Coordination of Care: Collaborate with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure cohesive and effective care delivery. Communicate regularly with the care team to address any changes in the patient's condition.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient visits, care provided, and patient progress. Complete required paperwork for billing, compliance, and regulatory purposes.
• Emergency Response: Respond to patient emergencies and changes in condition, providing appropriate interventions and coordinating with emergency services if necessary.
• Progress Monitoring: Regularly evaluate patient progress, adjust treatment plans as necessary, and communicate changes to the home health care team to ensure coordinated care. Additionally, supervise and provide guidance to CNA and LPN’s to ensure that they adhere to the treatment plan, maintain productivity, and deliver effective patient care in alignment with established goals.
• Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Non-essential Duties

• Participate in home health care team meetings, case conferences, and continuing education to stay current with best practices in physical therapy and home health care.
• Assist with administrative tasks, such as ordering supplies or contributing to the development of patient education materials.
• Provide mentorship or support to Nursing students or new staff as needed.

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of one year of clinical nursing experience; home health care experience is preferred.
• Strong clinical assessment and patient care skills.
• Ability to develop and implement effective care plans.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to educate and support patients and families.
• Proficient in electronic health record (EHR) systems and documentation.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a home care setting.

Required Licensure/Education

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
• Current RN license in Illinois.
• CPR certification
• Valid driver’s license and personal auto insurance are required.
• *New Graduate RNs starting on or after 1/1/25 must earn Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) within 3 years of start date. 

Preferred Education

• BSN preferred*

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Alcohol, soap, germicidal disinfectants, chemotherapeutic agents 
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Exposure risk is fairly high; universal precautions are employed in the home care environment.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Exposure risk exists; universal precautions are employed. Any indication of the possible existence of TB would trigger increased precautions as well as further testing of the patient.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Verbal communication with patient and family.
• Vision: Visual observation required to provide patient care.
• Smell: Ability to use sense of smell is essential to assessment in the home environment.
• Hearing: Ability to communicate with patient and family is required.
• Touch: Tactile observations required.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to: 

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 4%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 30%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required 
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Lifting equipment - carry 25'- 150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays). Carry charts 25'-150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs. Carry fire extinguishers up or down 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 2
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. 
• Normal weight: 5lbs
• Pushing &pulling - 50-200 lbs: Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Typing in computer, omnicell, using pens to chart, drawing up meds in syringe and administration, starting IV's.

Leg Strength - up to 50 lbs: Occasionally- (repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: utilized in positioning beds during transport; x-ray, surgery or in an emergency situation from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.)

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:

Environmental Factors (Time Spent): 

• Inside hours: 6
• Outside hours : 2
• Temperature: Normal Range 
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average 
• Humidity: Normal Range 
• Atmosphere: Normal Range 

Special Hazards: Occasional circumstances when patients with potentially infectious illness may be encountered.

Protective Clothing Required: Protective gowns, masks, gloves, goggles used as appropriate.