What are the responsibilities and job description for the Registered Nurse Hospice Inpatient NIGHTS position at VITAS Healthcare?
Case Management and Supervision
- Follows VITAS policies and standards (See VITAS Standards Manual) and practices within the scope of the RN license
- Reports any request to practice outside of scope of license to the manager/supervisor
- Supervision of (VITAS employed and contracted) nursing tasks delegated to Hospice Aides, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (and contracted Registered Nurses) and Volunteers per the plan of care
- Completes initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments including physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement
- Appropriately identifies/utilizes resources, referrals such as PT, OT, Home Health, Dietary, Pharmacy, Supplies, Home Medical Equipment, and other visits/consults
- Completes documentation at the time of the event and at the location of care unless otherwise directed
- Provides education to patients, families, caregivers and referral sources
- Participates in patient care meetings as assigned
- Participates in weekly team meetings
- Provides effective communication/shift reports through written, verbal, reporting and body language
- Participates in bereavement support
- Participates in the on-call rotation and/or provides shifts during non-business hours such as evenings, weekends and holidays based upon program-identified needs
- Provides visits/shifts in program coverage area
- Develops, coordinates, and follows the patient's individualized plan of care
- Appropriately delegates nursing tasks to Hospice Aides/Homemakers, Volunteers, and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses
- All factors pertinent to the patient's safety, including the competence of the Hospice Aide/Homemaker have been assessed
- Determination that this activity can be delegated safely to a Hospice Aide/Homemaker
- Connecticut -For activities other than those listed in section 1913D69(d)(3)of the Connecticut Department of Public Health delegated to a Hospice/Homemaker, the RN will document in the clinical record that:
- Provides nursing care including nursing tasks that may be delegated to other roles such as LPNs, HHAs and Volunteers
- Participates in and monitors patient and family care compliance activities
- Professionally manages/coordinates the hospice plan of care
- Provides and follows infection control practices
- Delivers care in accordance with the patient's plan of care
- Provides primary nursing care for inpatient and continuous care patients as assigned
Quality Improvement
- Participates in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program and related activities as assigned. This may include, but is not limited to
- participation in Performance Improvement Project(s) (PIP)
- Gathering clinical data which is used for quality measures
Professional Development
- Develops and achieves professional growth goals and objectives personally and per Team Manager reviews
- Responsible for attending orientation and regularly scheduled in-services/educational conferences as assigned
- Participates in orientation of Hospice Aides, Volunteers and other IDG members as assigned
- Participates in training activities internally within VITAS and externally as assigned
Customer Service
- Maintains focus on the patient and family experience of care
- Serves as a patient and family advocate
- Reports patient/family/customer complaints to Team Manager
- Participates in patient/family/customer conflict resolution as applicable.
- Represents the nursing profession, the VITAS site/location and VITAS overall in a positive manner
QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently licensed as a R.N. in the state where the VITAS program is located.
- A minimum of two years experience in hospice, home health, or community health experience in the last five years.
EDUCATION
- RN license
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATE
- EOE/AA M/F/D/V