Weekend On Call Hospice RN

Ogeechee Area Hospice Inc.

Position Description

Full Time Homecare After Hours/On Call Registered Nurse

The On-Call Registered Nurse reports to the Director of Clinical services (or designee) and is available after regular business hours to manage phone calls from patients and families, provide visits in a timely manner, provide care to patients and families and respond to requests for evaluations and admissions. The After Hours/On Call RN serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team and uses experience, knowledge, judgment and skill in providing nursing care to terminally ill patients. Such patients primarily reside in homes, nursing homes, and/or assisted living facility settings. The RN is responsible for identifying patient/family needs and assisting in the provision of evidence based nursing care in accordance with the physician’s order and patient’s plan of care. The RN demonstrates commitment to the mission and values of Ogeechee Area Hospice.

This is a salaried position. (See personnel manual regarding PTO).

Expectations:

• Evening on-call hours begin at 5pm Friday through Monday Morning at 8:30 am
• Phone calls to the on-call nurse cease at 8:30 am from the answering service. However, on call work time that is initiated before 8:30am should be completed and is considered within the responsibilities of this position.
• All documentation of PRN visits should be completed within 8 to 10 hours of the visit.
• Documentation of work activities during on-call time is considered within the responsibilities of this position.
• Symptoms and/or other issues can often be managed by instructing the patient and/or caregivers via telephone. In the event that symptoms do not improve/subside after such instruction, it is the expectation that a visit will be initiated by the on-call RN.
• Responsibilities from day shift may carry over to the on-call RN when necessary.
• After hour referrals should receive follow-up by the on-call RN. Visits should be initiated to patients that are in need of immediate follow-up.

Qualifications:

• B.S. degree from an accredited school in nursing preferred; Certification in Hospice & Palliative Nursing preferred.
• Possesses current license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the state of Georgia.
• Minimum of two years of work experience as a professional registered nurse with a minimum of one year hospice experience.
• At least one year of field experience managing complex cases within an interdisciplinary team in Hospice
• At least one year of medical/surgical experience in an acute care setting.
• Demonstrates high-level assessment skills and problem analysis skills in addressing patient symptoms.
• Experience and continuing education in leadership and management in a hospice setting.
• Knowledge of State and Federal Regulations related to Hospice Care
• Ability to foster effective working relationships between diverse groups and individuals
• Well-developed organizational & time management skills, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to operate computerized clinical documentation systems.
• Excellent communication skills

Physical Demands Necessary for Role Functions:

• Physical exertion including walking, lifting, pulling, step climbing and flexible hours. Must be able to regularly stand, walk, reach, stoop, kneel and use medical equipment.
• Requires the mobility to ambulate or lift a patient with or without the assistance of devices in excess of 75 pounds using proper body mechanics.
• Must have close vision, distance vision and depth perception with corrective lenses if needed.
• The employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• Requires moderate amount of computer work throughout the work schedule.
• Must be able to drive approximately 200 to 500 miles per week.

Work Environment:

The position requires a schedule of, at least, 4 full nights each week of after-hours on-call time. Work exposure consists of commonly used chemicals in the office work area and home care sites. Work exposure also consists of requiring safety measures and standard precautions which include but are not limited to: communicable diseases, blood and other body fluids, needles and other medical equipment and animals. This position does require driving an automobile.

Role Functions

• Is available by phone at all times during the on-call work hours.
• Returns calls to patient/families within 15 minutes.
• Has a response time to an after- hours patient visit of no more than 60 minutes.
• Anticipates, prevents and treats undesirable symptoms or secondary symptoms.
• Is diligent and timely in problem solving when addressing a patient’s negative symptoms.
• Demonstrates skill in telephone discussions to ascertain pertinent issues.
• Demonstrates clinical assessment skills, problem analysis skills and knowledge of clinical interventions necessary to develop tailored interventions to the identified problems of each patient in need.
• Teaches appropriate interventions, medications, effects and side effects to patient, caregiver, volunteers and others as appropriate.
• Adheres to agency protocols and recognized standards of care in the symptom management of patients. Contacts the patient/caregiver to track the outcome of any pharmacological change due to pain or other symptoms within a reasonable time-frame.
• Initiates a PRN visit when instruction via telephone have not been successful – after 2ndcall of concern from patient/caregiver.
• Demonstrates compassionate and sensitive, yet candid discussions with caregivers and/or patients, in order to assist them with end of life issues
• Explains hospice care and discerns understanding and informed consent of a competent patient or caregiver of the incompetent patient during after-hours admissions.
• Completes admission paperwork and routes to the appropriate personnel within 24 hours of an admission.
• Assists in determining the need to change the level of care being provided for hospice patients based on assessment and collaboration with attending physician and/or hospice medical director.
• Documents patient care and communication related to care in a complete and accurate manner, maintaining up to date medical orders at all times on assigned patients.
• Demonstrates competence during a patient’s final hours and during the death pronouncement Phase
• Reports on-call activities at the end of the call shift and specifically notifies rotating nurse on call, administrator on-call, or Home Care Manager of issues that need immediate follow-up.

General Standards

• Maintains and/or updates as required all licensure and certification requirements appropriate to the job as required by policy and/or law.
• Annually completes by the due date the required health assessment including TB Skin test if applicable.
• Participates in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by immediate supervisor and agency policies. In addition, accepts personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities, and attends mandatory educational programs.
• Participates in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by immediate supervisor and agency policies. In addition, accepts personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities, and attends mandatory educational programs.
• Adheres to the agency’s standards of conduct and personnel policies.
• Adheres to the agency’s dress code; both general and discipline specific.
• Carries out duties and responsibilities of the position in a manner, which exemplifies excellent customer service and respect for coworkers.
• Has no more than five (5) unscheduled episodes of absence per fiscal year.
• Is consistently on time for duty.
• Follows established procedures when requesting scheduled time off or notifying the supervisor of unscheduled absences.

This position is a salaried position. The above is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive statement of all duties, responsibilities or requirements of this position and does not limit the assignment of additional duties at the discretion of the supervisor.

I have received, read and understand the conditions set forth in the above position description.

Employee Signature _______________________________ Date: ______________

Supervisor Signature _______________________________ Date: _____________

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: On the road