N.J. Admin. Code § 10:53A-2.4

Current through Register Vol. 57, No. 1, January 6, 2025

Section 10:53A-2.4 - Standards for staffing

(a) The Medical Director of the hospice shall assume overall responsibility for the medical component of the hospice services.

(b) The hospice shall designate an interdisciplinary group or groups composed of, at a minimum, the following individuals who are employed by or under contract with the hospice and who provide and/or supervise the services offered by the hospice:

1. A physician (doctor of medicine or osteopathy);

2. A registered professional nurse;

3. A medical social worker (see N.J.A.C. 10:53A-3.4 for qualifications); and

4. A pastoral or other counselor.

(c) The interdisciplinary group shall be responsible for the following:

1. Participation in the establishment of the plan of care;

2. Provision or supervision of hospice services in coordination with the beneficiary's attending physician;

3. Periodic review and updating of the plan of care for each beneficiary receiving hospice services with the attending physician;

4. Establishment of policies governing the day-to-day provision of hospice services; and

5. In-service education for volunteer staff before he or she begins providing care for a hospice beneficiary.

(d) A hospice beneficiary, family members, and/or significant others shall participate in the formulation of the final plan of care.

(e) If the hospice has more than one interdisciplinary group, it shall designate, in advance, the group it chooses to execute the functions described above.

(f) The Medical Director or Director of Nursing of the hospice shall designate a registered professional nurse to coordinate the implementation of the plan of care for each beneficiary.

(g) Volunteer assistance is an integral part of hospice services. The hospice shall document and maintain a volunteer staff sufficient to provide administrative and patient care in an amount that, at a minimum, equals five percent of the total compensated patient care hours provided by all paid hospice employees and contracted staff regardless of the payment source.

N.J. Admin. Code § 10:53A-2.4

Amended by R.2003 d.320, effective 8/4/2003.
See: 34 New Jersey Register 2899(a), 35 New Jersey Register 3568(a).
In (b), substituted "employed by or under contract with" for "employees of" preceding "the hospice"; substituted "beneficiary" for "recipient" throughout.