Certification Programs Offered by Hospice of the Bluegrass

HPNA Nurse & Nursing Assistant Certification
CPR
Advance Care Planning

HPNA- Nurse & Nursing Assistant Certification

Background and Purpose

The Hospice and Palliative Nurse Association (HPNA) works with the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NBCHPN) to promote a certification process that advances quality in the provision of end of life care. The NBCHPN® has successfully fulfilled the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) accreditation requirements for the advanced certified hospice and palliative nurses program and also has fulfilled the reaccreditation requirements for the certified hospice and palliative nurses program. Both accreditations are valid through February 2012

Who May Take the Exam ? It is suggested that persons work in end-of-life care at least 2 years prior to sitting for the certification exam. Hospice of the Bluegrass is committed to helping staff advance their knowledge and skills in hospice care. Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and Nursing Assistants are encouraged and funded to write the certification exam. If you are interested in writing the certification exam, please talk with the nursing supervisor at your site.

Preparation & Review

Review classes are scheduled annually to help staff prepare for the exam. Another way to prepare for the exam is by using the Registered Nurse Self Assessment Exam (SAE) practice tool to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. The cost of the practice online exam is $30. (For every test that is purchased a portion of the cost will be donated to Hospice and Palliative Nurse Foundation.) The SAE is one of several mechanisms to assist you in your studies, along with the detailed content outline and reference list located in the Candidate Handbook, as well as other educational materials available for purchase through the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA). Copies of these materials are also in each of the hospice libraries and are available to be checked-out for study purposes. Review classes are open to those not employed by HOB on a space-available option. Please contact Tanya Freiberg at (859) 276-5344 ext 66815 to inquire.

Registration

For questions contact Tanya Freiberg (859) 276-5344 ext 66815.

CPR

CPR classes are available for all staff and volunteers at no cost.  Classes include adult, child and infant CPR information.  Classes are taught by American Heart Association instructors.  Those who successfully complete the class, skill demonstration and written exam are given a wallet card verifying certification.  The American Heart Association program’s certification must be renewed every 2 years.

All nurses who work with Hospice of the Bluegrass are required to maintain basic CPR certification.  We utilize the American Heart Association’s BLS program for instruction.  Classes are scheduled at each site as needed.  Please ask your site director for the certified instructor at your site or contact Tanya Freiberg at 859-276-5344 ext 66815.

Advance Care Planning

• Kentucky Living Will
  Classes are available for staff, health care professionals and community persons about the process of completing the Kentucky Living Will document.  Please call to schedule a class for any size group.  There is no cost for a 1-2 hour session.  Classes can be geared toward
  -how to facilitate a conversation about advance care wishes -how to actually complete the Kentucky document -or – let us know your needs and we will be happy to develop a class for you.
  
  

  The Kentucky Living Will document is available at no cost online at www.ky.gov or stop by any Hospice of the Bluegrass office and ask for a free copy.  Each state in the nation has its own living will document.  Each is available at no cost by visiting the NHPCO web site.

  Kentucky's State Attorney has developed a helpful and detailed instruction packet to help in completing the document.  This packet is available online at www.ky.gov or call Tanya Freiberg at 859-276-5344 ext 66815 and we will mail one to you.

• Respecting Choices
  

  Hospice of the Bluegrass has five staff who are certified to teach the Respecting Choices ® program.  If your organization wishes to have staff certified as facilitators please call for details.  The facilitator’s class is 16 hours of didactic, small group activities.  Handouts and support materials are provided.  Role playing is an important part of this learning process.  The cost of the certification classes is $500 (+ travel) for a certified instructor to come to your site for the 2 day workshop. 

  Please call with questions or to schedule a class:  Tanya Freiberg, (859) 276-5344 ext 66815.