Areas of Specialty

Post Acute Care Services

Home Health

Home Health Services staff members care for all types of patients, both medical and surgical; many wounds, newly diagnosed diabetics, post-joint replacement care, etc. Nurses need to be autonomous as they carry a primary case load and do case management, dressing changes, blood draws (veni puncture) and IV infusion therapy. Work hours are 0800-1630, but always 24-hour call person.

Some staff work 12-hour positions, working 0930-2200. Other programs include home hospice, psych, cardiac rehab, pedi and perinatal and home infusion. Good assessment skills are a must and two years of medical/surgical experience are required. Services are offered at two office locations (Springfield and Decatur). Students are welcomed at both locations; the number depends on other departments (Home Health also takes medical students, residents and St. John’s nursing students). Usually, no more than five students total are accepted for all disciplines each day in Springfield and no more than two to three students total, all disciplines each day in Decatur.

Hospice

The inpatient Hospice Unit provides end-of-life care to terminally ill patients and their families. The unit has a relaxed, open environment with family orientation to allow for final closure. The unit operates 24/7 with unlimited visitation. Family presence is encouraged. The nursing care focuses on pain and symptom management, along with psychosocial and spiritual care for the patient and family.

Transitional Care Unit

The Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at St. John’s is a 30-bed certified skilled nursing unit. Patients needing additional rehabilitation services (PT, OT, speech therapy) and those needing long-term IV antibiotics, wound management or other skilled care needs are transferred to TCU. The average length of stay is 11 days, with many patients staying a shorter period of time. A team approach to care is provided nursing and rehab staff, activity facilitator, dietitians, social workers and pharmacists.

 

 

For more information

email ann.randol@st-johns.org