Registered Nurse - Hospice

OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB:

This position is responsible for providing nursing care in the Palliative Care Unit and teaching patients and families the skills necessary to care for themselves at home. This position is also responsible for meeting patient/family needs effectively and efficiently through all life stages and ages. This position also provides direction and oversight to other staff members regarding patent care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB: (other duties may be assigned)

Actively participate in patient care.

• Communicate information orally and written on a daily basis to physicians, patients, caregivers, and coworkers.
• Monitor and report changes in patient’s and caregivers conditions daily.
• Assist patients, caregivers and significant others with decision-making.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient’s personal, medical and financial information.
• Use order entry process as necessary i.e., Meditech, delta, use of computer documentation
• Initiate standing orders as necessary.
• Address teaching needs as needed with patients and families

Receive incoming Hospice/Home Health calls

• Advise caregivers, give emotional support, document responses
• Initiate/reorder medications as necessary.
• Update /Teach / Inform/ Utilize MD or HC staff as necessary.
• Document calls, orders, chart appropriately in computer system

Administer medication and treatment daily as ordered by physician with proper documentation.

• Follow the five patient rights: right medication, right patient, right route, right dose, and right time.
• Complete documentation immediately following medication administration in patient’s chart.
• Sign and date all documentation.
• Narcotic count at shift change
• Administration of respiratory treatments and medications after hours and off-shifts
• Proper administration of IM injections, SQ injections

Coordinate IV therapy.

• Ensure peripheral IV site and tubing is changed every 72 hours.
• Ensure Heparin/saline locks are changed every 96 hours.
• Document site and tubing changes on IV log sheet immediately following changes.
• Observe site for any signs of infiltration or infection and record on IV log sheet.
• Sign and date all documentation.
• Maintain 100% compliance with all Hospital policies and procedures.
• Use and access of mediports
• Use of TAR-IV/ blood administration document properly in Meditech or other computer program

Complete initial and on-going patient assessments to define individual patient needs.

• Review assessment data and identify patient problems.
• Develop patient plan of care and update daily.
• Maintain concise documentation in nursing notes of all patient care that is provided every shift or as needed.
• Complete nursing care plans daily.
• Evaluate patient response to therapeutic interventions and document in nursing notes.
• Document appropriately via computer system

Teach various techniques to patients, care partners, and other staff members as needed within scope of practice.

• Evaluate patient, care partner, and other staff member’s understanding of techniques by successful demonstration.
• Document procedure upon completion of demonstration.
• Offer pre/post testing with new techniques.
• Assist in identifying the educational needs of the Unit.

Coordinate patient discharge planning.

• Begin planning patient discharge upon admission.
• Complete discharge summary plan as outlined on physician discharge orders.
• Review discharge plans with patient and/or care partner.
• Ensure patient and/or care partner understands discharge instructions.
• Document discharge planning and patient and/or care partner understanding in patient chart legibly.
• Collaborate with staff, physicians, social worker, Nurse Liaison, Homecare Coordinator, and Homecare staff in determining issues and discharge disposition.

Coordinate staff use of equipment; dynamaps, SCD’s, IV pumps, BGM, whirlpool, hoyer lifts, bed alarms, chair alarms, feeding pumps, etc.

• Demonstrate proper use of equipment.
• Supervise staff in the use of equipment.
• Document proper use according to patient response.
• Education/Training/License/Certification:

Valid/current Pennsylvania Registered Nurse License required.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Certification required.

Certification in Palliative Care nursing within 2 years of hire, preferred

• Work Experience:

One year related experience is required.

• Driving Record:

If deemed a driver in your position, a valid Driver’s license and proof of insurance are required. Motor Vehicle Record checks will be performed upon hire, in addition to annually thereafter.