Director of Hospice and Palliative Care at Tomah Memorial Hospital – Tomah, Wisconsin

Tomah Memorial Hospital

EOE

JOB SUMMARY

The Director is under general supervision of the hospital Associate Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) and Chief Clinical Officer/Chief Nursing Officer (CCO/CNO). The Director will be responsible for preparation of budget and management of those funds appropriately, development of long-range plans in accordance with hospital and hospice/palliative care goals, preparation of policies and guidelines for their departments, maintain a high-quality service area and maintain a multidisciplinary Performance Improvement team within their departments. Works with other Nurse Directors, members of management, medical staff and other clinical areas in planning, promoting and conducting organization wide performance improvement activities. The Director also provides direct nursing care to patients, families, groups and communities by instituting evidence-based standards of care.

MAJOR JOB FUNCTION

1. Manages the hospice program through delegation of responsibility to personnel according to their abilities and defined responsibilities.
2. Establishes functions and qualifications for all personnel. Oversees staff compliance with personnel policies.
3. Determines staffing needs and staffing patterns according to program requirements with consideration for utilization of personnel at their maximum potential. Ensures hospice nursing and medical care are available 24 hours a day.
4. Appoints hospice staff members with administrative approval when or where appropriate.
5. Ensures staff orientation and on-going competence. With staff input and assistance, develops a yearly education plan for all staff and volunteers.
6. Evaluates, or delegates evaluation, of all staff on a biannual basis.
7. Plans to provide services to meet patient need and to maintain hospice financial viability.
8. Develops a budget and payroll/FTE with input from staff, CCO/CNO, and ACNO to meet projected need. Accounts for monthly variations in budget. Reviews services, billings and any aspects of the hospice program for cost savings.
9. Monitors compliance with contracts for DME, Pharmacy, and with facilities. Prepares timely proposals for renewal or termination of contract to CCO/CNO and ACNO.
10. Develops a hospice marketing program and plans yearly to include mailings, direct contact with referral sources, and presentations to facilities, community groups, and organizations.
11. Works with Hospice Volunteer Coordinator to promote hospice month, participation at health fairs, fundraising, and increased awareness through newspaper articles and events.
12. Assures compliance with authorized regulatory, licensing and inspecting agencies.
13. Is aware of and is familiar with Medicare, State, and JOINT COMMISSION hospice guidelines. Keeps current on any changes, memos, or alerts from these agencies and plans for program compliance. Reviews and acts promptly on reports or recommendations of the above agencies and keeps the hospital CCO/CNO and ACNO informed of all inspections
14. Has a mechanism in place to track compliance and acts promptly to correct any problems.
15. Supervises the quality improvement measures to assess the overall hospice program. Oversees that all QI information/data is tracked, trended, and reported both quarterly and annually and that efforts to improve quality are assigned, implemented, and evaluated.
16. Develops and implements hospice policy as needed.
17. Responds promptly and positively to hospice referral. Arranges for prompt admission if appropriate and are responsive and helpful with non-admission referrals.

Ensures physician and referral sources are updated as indicated.

Ensures continuity of care across all settings.

Verifies that the Team conducts ongoing assessments of patient and family needs, that the plan of care is current and appropriate, and that family is consulted regarding changes in the plan of care or setting.

Tracks and trends all areas of customer satisfaction and plans for improvement. Promptly responds to any patient or customer complaints and attempts to correct or resolve the problem.

Actively engages and participates in staff/employee satisfaction activities.

Demonstrates proficiency regarding the computer documentation of patient cares and any other related computerized patient information/documentation.

Displays behaviors, by actions and verbalization that reflect an acceptance of the hospice/palliative work standards. Maintains appropriate boundaries with patients and families and seeks direction when boundaries become blurred or questionable. Is open to change and a positive change agent. Takes ownership and responsibility for their actions, how they impact others and the provision of patient care, and respects the right of the entire team to have a welcoming, safe, and positive work environment.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

LEADERSHIP STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

As a LEADER of Tomah Health I agree to comply with the Standards of Behavior for all employees. I further understand that as a LEADER I am a role model and expected to perform my duties and responsibilities to the best of my abilities. I recognize that my leadership style will influence the behavior of those around me, and that I am accountable for the performance of my department or division. I will demonstrate my commitment to Tomah Health by adhering to the following:

1. TEAMWORK

My primary responsibility as a leader is to ensure that those I lead succeed, and my success is only possible if those I lead succeed.

My responsibility as a leader extends to the hospital as a whole, not a single department or group of departments.

PROFESSIONALISM

I recognize that I am held to a higher standard than those I am charged with leading.

I am an ambassador for Tomah Health, and I commit to representing the organization in a professional manner.

QUALITY

I will hold those I am charged with leading accountable for complying with the standards of behavior.

I commit to addressing underperformance in a prompt and professional manner.

WORK ETHIC

I commit to providing those I am charged with leading all the resources and support necessary to succeed.

I will promptly address those who are unwilling or unable to take advantage of those resources.

COMMUNICATION

I will foster open and honest communication within my department and with other departments of the hospital.

When communicating with others I will be direct, I will be an active listener, and I will promptly reply to email and voicemail messages.

ATTITUDE

I recognize the contributions of every staff member and every department to the success of the hospital.

I will approach every challenge or obstacle with an open and unbiased mind, and I commit to asking for assistance in dealing with difficult situations or problems when necessary

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Minimum of three years of supervisory or administrative experience in hospice or home health agency, or a master’s degree in business, health care, or related field with a minimum of two years experience.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
2. Excellent human relation skills as demonstrated by the ability to interface positively with all customers and employees.
3. Must acquire the knowledge and maintain established competency levels to perform job function.
4. By virtue of specialty training and/or continuing education is knowledgeable in the area of palliative care, i.e. pain control, psychosocial support, grief, death, loss.
5. Must have the ability to work with frequent interruptions, under stress, with minimal supervision, and to exercise initiative and judgment in analyzing, organizing, planning, prioritizing, scheduling and coordinating work with others.
6. Needs to possess as high level of intelligence, integrity, sense of responsibility and ability to comprehend and analyze details.
7. Acts as a role model, resource, teacher, innovator, and supervisor. Shows a willingness to obtain additional knowledge to make program refinements and improvements.
8. Computer/keyboard skills required. Must have the ability to operate in a Windows environment.
9. Must have access to insured vehicle and have current and valid WI Driver’s License.
10. Demonstrated ability in program administration including knowledge of health care policies and reimbursement practices.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, and talk and hear.
2. The Hospice Director is frequently required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The Hospice Director is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel or crouch.
3. The Hospice Director must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
4. Good hearing is necessary to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine discriminations in sound.
5. Visual acuity is needed to assess color changes and to verify accuracy of written materials.
6. May on rare occasions be required to work from home with duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Must understand and accept the possibility of exposure to inside environmental conditions, such as infectious/communicable diseases, noise, body fluids, blood and blood borne diseases, chemicals and/or chemical fumes, odors, gases, dusts, and physical injury/verbal abuse from an out-of-control patient. Frequent exposure to distressed patients, families or visitors. Must be able to function effectively under stressful situations. Position involves limited supervision. Expected to follow standard and Transmission-Based Isolation procedures. Position involves variable pace and pressure with frequent instances of high pace and pressure.