Description

 Registered Nurse (RN) Admissions Team - PRN 

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Access Manager, the Registered Nurse serves as care manager for assigned patients. Responsible for identifying and coordinating patient/family needs and for providing preventive and supportive care to the terminally ill patient/ family unit. The hospice nurse utilizes assessment, intervention and teaching skills in caring for the patient/family unit.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Performs admissions activities in all areas of Alive Hospice services.
2. Performs initial physical, psychosocial and spiritual assessment of the patient and family.
3. Uses nursing process to establish and implement a hospice plan of care in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.
4. Anticipates the need for and initiates interventions to prevent complications, and to alleviate symptoms of physical and psychological discomfort to achieve maximum well being.
5. Provide skilled nursing care to patients.
6. Educates the patients/caregivers concerning plan of care, its goals and the implications of diagnosis and prognosis.
7. Educates and councils patients/caregivers in resource conservation techniques and skills to help maintain the patient at home.
8. Acts as a liaison between Alive Hospice and the patient's primary physician.
9. Evaluates the need for and arranges for home equipment, medication and supplies as appropriate per Alive Hospice policies/procedures.
10. Reports unusual and problematic patient/care giver issues to appropriate Access Manager and other IDT members.
11. Instructs, supervises and mentors the performance of CNT/HHA and other staff as designated by the Access Manager.
12. Attends patient deaths, utilizing Alive Hospice procedures. Provides support to patient's caregivers.
13. As agency needs dictate, provides coverage for after hours care or staffing crisis.
14. Complete all clinical documentation per Alive Hospice policy in a timely manner.
15. Participates in Interdisciplinary Care Planning Conference and team meetings as needed.
16. Collaborates with team members to assure appropriate, empathetic and effective patient/care giver support and care.
17. Notifies appropriate staff of status changes per Alive Hospice procedure.
18. Functions as case manager within patient care team collaborating with other members to reach desired patient outcomes.
19. Demonstrates good resource management and recognizes the implications of cost in relation to agency budget.
20. Communicates with physicians, medical directors and other health care providers regarding patient assessment and response to plan of care.
21. Serves as clinical preceptor for professional students as requested.
22. Recognizes and supports agency commitment to provide education and research opportunities to promote and enhance the specialty of hospice and palliative care.
23. Participates in rotation of week-end; after hours admissions as assigned.
24. Other duties may also be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Provides supervision for CNT/HHA in the home care setting. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, interpret and apply theories and concepts of professional clinical journals, texts and treatment plans. Ability to write documentation, which accurately depicts the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care. Able to write policy and professional correspondence to various healthcare entities. Ability to calmly, maturely and effectively communicate, educate and build a rapport with patients, families, other healthcare professionals and community members.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as dosage calculation and conversion, probability, simple statistical inference and algebra. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportion to practice, patient care, healthcare management problems. Ability to interpret laboratory and diagnostic data.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills. Ability to put into practice theoretical constructs of professional clinical discipline training and continuing education. Ability to determine status of patient/family and respond with appropriate interventions. able to prioritize and re prioritize based on patient need. Ability to provide appropriate crisis intervention. Ability to follow geographic and complex patient/family care directions. Ability to appropriately delegate, teach and monitor care of peers and practice extenders. Able to formulate hypotheses, use judgment and process to problem solve. Ability to apply assessment, planning implementation and evaluate skills to meet care needs.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Reliable transportation necessary. Professional maturity and the ability to respond calmly and effectively in stressful situations.

Communication and Relationship Skills: Exemplifies high level of written oral and listening communication skills, always respecting patient confidentiality.

Agency Policy and Philosophy: Communicates and supports agency mission and values in all professional interactions.

Continuing Education: Seeks to improve knowledge and skills relative to performance of job and personal growth.

Quality and Performance Improvement: Participates in new and continuing programs designed to monitor and improve quality and performance relevant to the mission and philosophy of Alive Hospice, Inc..

Teamwork: Functions consistently and collaboratively as an integral part of Patient Care Team and other teams (committees, etc.) bringing experience and education to contribute to optimal team functions and outcomes.

Ethics: Demonstrates a high level of work, personal and professional ethics.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Current Tennessee RN License. Prefer Hospice certification. If required to drive to carry out the duties of this position: current driver's license and automobile insurance as required by Tennessee State Law.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to drive an automobile.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to infectious diseases and use of an automobile. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, risk of radiation, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Usually in a patient's home.

Requirements

CONTINUING EDUCATION

The agency requires this position is required to complete 15 hours of continuing education per year covering topics that will contribute to improvements in carrying out the above responsibilities. Regulatory agencies may require some disciplines to have additional hours in order to be licensed or certified.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, including meeting the required competencies. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Registered Nurse with a current nursing license, BSN preferred. Ability to apply for TN license within 30 days of hire. Knowledge of or willingness to learn hospice care. Minimum one year nursing practice or equivalent experience required. Hospice, Oncology, or Home Health and/or long-term care preferred.

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