Hope Community Resources, Inc. (Hope) has six "home-based" nurses who work shift hours to provide continual care in residential settings where it is required. The primary role of the home-based nurse is to provide direct nursing services using a multi-disciplinary team approach.

These nurses are experienced in making independent, individualized health assessments. They provide specialized care including chest physiotherapy, nebulizer therapy, tracheotomy care, and gastrostomy and jejunostomy care, as well as range-of-motion treatment. The nurses are responsible for assuring that all health related recommendations as stated in the Individualized Service Plan are completed. Some of these recommendations may be annual physical and orthopedic evaluations, annual visual or audio exams, physical theraphy and occupational therapy assessments, annual dental exams, gynecological exams and other evaluations as indicated. The nurses also provide monthly health summaries, annual medical reports and proactive input regarding health issues to the individual, their family and the support team.

Home-based nurses are responsible for following physicians' orders, distributing and ordering medications and procuring specialty supplies. They monitor the nutritional status of individuals and follow through with the physicians and dietician as needed.

Another important role the home-based nurse plays is that of a teacher. New staff are trained by these nurses to care for the individuals with whom they will be working. They provide individualized ongoing training to staff and monitor employee performance.