Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse in a Home care setting is a professional nurse who coordinates and directs the home care patient’s care based on individual patient needs. The Primary Nurse is responsible for independent management of the Home Health patient population requiring the use of advanced assessment, teaching and decision-making skills. The nurse is responsible for ensuring that appropriate referrals to other services are made, interdisciplinary conferencing takes place regularly, and
appropriate documentation is completed. Relevant knowledge and experience is consistently applied to new patient
populations.
Home Health Registered Nurses provide a variety of tasks during patient visits depending on the specific plan of care and type of patient. They often have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Assess and chart observations of the patient’s condition at each visit.
- Complete evaluation tasks, including reviewing medication and vital signs.
- Administer Physician-prescribed medication.
- Dress or redress wounds and assess the healing progress.
- Provide education to patients and families on proper home health care procedures and strategies.
- Coordinate with Physicians and other individuals in the patient’s care plan.
- Keep the patient comfortable through palliative care.
- Recommend tools or devices that may improve the quality of life for the patient.
A successful Home Health Registered Nurse uses a variety of soft skills and clinical knowledge to provide the most comprehensive care. These skills can include:
- Strong interpersonal skills that allow them to get to know their patients, build personal rapport and establish trust to provide high-quality care while increasing patients’ enjoyment and comfort
- Initiative so they can make independent decisions when required and accept direction and requests from patients.
- Ability to act swiftly in emergencies and work efficiently
- Flexibility and patience to work in a variety of living environments
- Knowledge of clinical skills including changing bandages, giving tube feedings, administering shots and setting up and monitoring IVs