Level of Responsibility: Reports to Access Nurse Manager

Status: Non-Exempt

REGISTERED NURSE – Full Time – Monday - Friday 8:30am-5pm with Saturday rotation

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. * Enrolls patients in the hospice program, as needed. Explains the benefits and challenges of

the palliative approach to patient care. Explains how the hospice care program aligns with

their goals and can address their problems.

1. * Assesses physical and safety needs of patients and families as they relate to nursing

problems for establishing the plan of care.

1. * Consults with hospice Medical Director or designee regarding hospice eligibility and

medical appropriateness of patient and covered medications for admission for hospice

services. Documents consultation with supporting medical data in patients’ electronic

record.

1. * Establishes and maintains good working relationships with the patient and family, the

attending physician, coworkers and outside agencies.

1. * Provides nursing interventions for problems associated with pain, nausea/vomiting,

constipation etc. and patient/family teaching, according to guidelines reflecting the plan of

care. Documents initial medication profile.

1. * Educates patients/family regarding the progression of disease, pain and symptom

management, safety, physical components of care, stages of dying, and hospice philosophy.

1. * Initiates the nursing components of the plan of care with the consent of the patient and

family.

1. Assists patient in the completion of Advance Directives as needed.
2. * Documents nursing assessment and all other patient related information.
3. * In consultation with Access Nurse Manager assists with phone triage, assessment of patient

needs, and patient visits, as needed.

1. Communicates with appropriate care team to provide for continuity of care.
2. Provides updates to physicians and pharmacies.
3. * Serves as resource to physicians on pain and symptom management.
4. Reports abuse and neglect to the appropriate authority following organization policy.
5. * Participates in providing 7 day-a-week on call assessment coverage to patients/families.

Available by phone for duration of shift.

1. Assists with staffing at the Inpatient Facility if needed.
2. Participates in nursing staff meetings, in-services, and staff trainings to develop and

maintain hospice expertise.

1. * Demonstrates competency as hospice nurse.
2. * Meets visit average standards established by the organization.
3. Complies with the employee standards.
4. Other duties as assigned.