Job Summary: Provides professional nursing services or supervises the provision of nursing services to hospice patients in accordance with accepted standards of practice and NorthStar Care Community guidelines. Performs advocacy and oversight of hospice services based on patient self-determination to assure patient and family/caregiver satisfaction.

Essential Functions:

• Completes initial history and assessment, documenting problem areas to be developed in the plan of care within twenty-four (24) hours of enrollment.
• Assists in developing, implementing, evaluating and updating the individualized plan of care and recommends revisions to the plan as necessary based on acuity and patient/family/caregiver needs.
• Completes initial and on-going assessment of the impact of the terminal diagnosis on the patient’s physical, functional, psychosocial and environmental needs and activities of daily living.
• Applies specific criteria for admission and re-certification to hospice care to establish appropriate levels of care and to assist the physician in determining the patient’s eligibility for hospice and determines scope and frequency of services needed based on acuity and patient/family needs.
• Documents patient care following established NorthStar Care Community standards of documentation practice, regulatory and licensure requirements, and submits documentation in accordance with NorthStar Care Community policy.
• Provides initial and ongoing patient/family instruction, education and support regarding the disease process, self-care techniques, end-of-life care, and issues of ethical concerns.
• Coordinates ordering durable medical equipment and supplies.
• Evaluates own need for professional, psychosocial and emotional support and uses identified system(s) to meet the need.
• Conferences with the Physician, Social Worker and Spiritual Care Advisor to provide assessment information after the initial visit and conferences with the Operations Manager or designee to provide patient/family information, including unusual or potentially problematic issues, as needed.
• Works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to prioritize and provide patient and family oriented hospice services.
• Acts as a resource for staff members and orients new staff as needed.
• Participates in internal and external education, training and other activities to develop and promote personal, professional and organizational goals and growth.
• Participates in agency and community programs to promote professional growth and understanding of hospice care.
• Adheres to established organizational Code of Conduct, policies and procedures, and all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Models the C.A.R.E. Model of Service: courtesy, acknowledgement, response and empathy.
• Works to achieve certification in pediatric hospice nursing (CHPPN), preferred.

Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing with possession of a current license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the State of Michigan.
• Pediatric nurses are required to have one to two (1-2) years of pediatric work experience, preferably one (1) of those years working with chronically/ terminally ill children.
• Certification in pediatric hospice nursing (CHPPN) preferred.
• Pediatric nurses are required to demonstrate knowledge of child development, pediatric diseases and disease processes, related grief issues and associated behaviors of parents/families and children dealing with chronic/life limiting illnesses.
• Ability to use technology (hardware and software) required of clinicians to use in their practice.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, effective organizational, prioritization and follow-through skills, attention to detail, tact, dependability, emotional intelligence and the ability to promote positive, constructive relationships with communication and collaboration at all levels with the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Must be able to coordinate several tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high degree of efficiency and accuracy.
• Must be able to cope with family/caregiver emotional stress, cultural diversity and be tolerant of individual life-styles.
• The physical and sensory demands of the position include: vision, effective speech and hearing for extensive telephone contact; repetitive motion; traveling; driving or riding in motor vehicle; standing, sitting, walking, bending, reaching, and stretching; lifting up to forty five (45) pounds unassisted and the ability to assist in lifting patients using appropriate lifting techniques and/or devices.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.