Hours are 8:30-4:30

Position Summary:

The registered nurse plans, organizes and directs hospice care. Experienced in nursing, with emphasis on community health education/experience.

Essential Job Functions:

• Completes initial, comprehensive and ongoing assessments of patient and family to determine hospice needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).
• Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of the process.
• Assesses and evaluates patients status and symptom management by writing and initiating a plan of care, regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs, and participating in revising the plan of care if necessary.
• Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.
• Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis, and incorporates palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and the care giver in the plan of care.
• Initiates appropriate preventative and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physicians plan of care and/orders.
• Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.
• Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment plan.
• Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patients efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care as needed.
• Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Management and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.
• Completes, maintains, and submits accurate and relevant clinical documentation regarding patients condition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate in the EMR at bedside.
• Communicates with Blue Ridge Hospice provider regarding the patients needs and reports changes in the patients condition; obtains/receives and documents physicians orders as required.
• Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.
• Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provides medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families /caregivers. Works in concert with the interdisciplinary group.
• Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
• Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.
• Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice Interdisciplinary Group Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.
• Attends interdisciplinary group meetings.
• Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy, when assigned.
• Coordinates arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.
• Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.
• Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in- service classes.
• Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.
• Respects confidentiality and privacy of patients, caregivers, and fellow team members. Communicates in a respectful and courteous manner.
• Minimizes non-productive time and fills any periods of low census and/or slow periods with activities and cross-training that will enable Blue Ridge Hospice to meet the future needs of the organization.
• Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
• Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state or organization requirements and is in good working order. Must be willing to travel the entire service area.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Registered nurse with current VA licensure to practice professional nursing in the state.
• Maintains a current CPR certification.
• Minimum of two years experience, at least one of which is in the area of public health, home care, or hospice nursing is preferred.
• Self- directed and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Responsible for supervising hospice aides.
• Demonstrates excellent observation, problem solving, verbal and written communications; nursing skills per competency checklist.
• Shows ability to organize and prioritize workload independently.
• Critical Care experience preferred
• Must be able to handle high acuity patients with continual medication changes.
• Must have an understanding of pain management
• Must have ability to closely interact with people and be able to identify both physical and emotional discomfort
• Must have ability to display an even disposition in face of crisis situations.