Weekend On-Call Registered Nurse – Hospice, Full-Time

SUMMARY 

The On-Call registered nurse plans, organizes and directs hospice care and is experienced in nursing, with an emphasis on community health education/experience and comfort care.  The professional nurse builds from the resources of the community to provide services to meet the needs of individuals and families within their homes and communities. Note: Weekend On-call begins Thursday evening ending Monday. Specific times and other details given at interview.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES 

Patient Care 

1.    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). 

2.    Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of the nursing process. 

3.    Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by: 

A.   Contributes to the plan of care. 

B.   Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary 

4.    Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis. 

5.    Contributes to the care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and  incorporates palliative nursing actions.  Includes the patient and the family in the planning process. 

6.    Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures.  Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician inthe physician’s plan of care. 

7.    Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs. 

8.    Adhering to the organization’s documentation and care procedures and standards of personal and professional conduct. 

9.    Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan. 

10. Assists the patient and/or caregiver/family with the activities of daily living, provision and education, and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward maintaining independence for as long as possible and optional comfort care. 

11. RN will act as Case Manager until a Case Manager is assigned by Clinical Supervisor or designee and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned patient. 

Communication 

1.    Completes, maintains, and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given.  Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate. 

2.    Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required. 

3.    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. 

4.    Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient. 

5.    Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care. 

6.    Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice Interdisciplinary Group Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver. 

Additional Duties 

1.    Is responsible for all on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy. 

2.    Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available. 

3.    Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required. 

4.    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. 

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description. 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS 

1.    Registered nurse with current licensure to practice professional nursing in the state. 

2.    Graduate of National League for Nursing accredited school of nursing. 

3.    Maintains a current CPR certification. 

4.    Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state or organization requirements and is in good working order. 

5.    Minimum of two years’ experience, at least one of which is in the area of public health, home care, or hospice nursing is preferred. 

6.    Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision. 

7.    Management experience not required. Responsible for supervising home health aide if weekend visits are assigned to the aide.  

8.    Demonstrates excellent observation, problem solving, verbal and written communications; nursing skills per competency checklist. 

9.    Shows ability to organize and prioritize workload independently. 

10.   Homecare/Homebase (PointCare) EMR system knowledge preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment 

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

1.  Prolonged or considerable walking or standing.   

2.  Able to lift, position, and/or transfer patients.   

3.  Able to lift supplies and equipment.   

4.  Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and/or crouching.   

5.  Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills. 

At Nurses On Wheels, we strive to provide excellent care for individuals of all ages and in all stages of life. Our goal is to help you maintain the highest quality of life in the comfort of your own home. We understand the importance of family and we do our best to treat your family like our own. We are here to support, listen, and respond to your care with compassion and understanding.