Description

Position Summary:
The registered nurse plans, organizes and directs hospice care. Experienced in nursing, with emphasis on community health education/experience. The registered nurse builds from the resources of the community to plan and direct services to meet the needs of the individual and families within their homes and communities.
Essential Job Functions:
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 process.
3. Assesses and evaluates patients status by writing and initiating a plan of care, regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs, and participating in revising the plan of care if necessary.
4. Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.
5. Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and the physician in the physicians plan of care.
6. Initiates appropriate preventative and rehabilitave nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physicians plan of care and/orders.
7. Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.
8. Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment plan.
9. Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patients efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care as needed.
10. Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Management and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.
11. Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical documentation regarding patients condition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate in the EMR at bedside.
12. Communicates with the physician regarding the patients needs and reports changes in the patients condition; obtains/receives and documents physicians orders as required.
13. Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.
14. 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.
15. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
16. Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.
17. Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice Interdisciplinary Group Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.
18. Attends interdisciplinary group meetings.
19. Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy, when assigned.
20. Coordinates arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.
21. Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.
22. 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.
23. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.
24. Respects confidentiality and privacy of patients, caregivers, and fellow team members. Communicates in a respectful and courteous manner.
25. Minimizes non-productive time and fills any periods of low census and/or slow periods with activities and cross-training that will enable you to meet the future needs of the organization.
26. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
27. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state or organization requirements and is in good working order. Must be willing to travel the entire service area.
28. Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
1. Registered nurse with current VA licensure to practice professional nursing in the state.
2. Maintains a current CPR certification.
3. Minimum of two years experience, at least one of which is in the area of public health, home care, or hospice nursing is preferred.
4. Self- directed and able to work with minimal supervision.
5. Responsible for supervising hospice aides.
6. Demonstrates excellent observation, problem solving, verbal and written communications; nursing skills per competency checklist.
7. Shows ability to organize and prioritize workload independently.
Physical/Sensory/Cognitive Requirements: The requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
1. Must be able to continuously stand and walk, frequently squat, climb stairs, bend to the floor, reach over the shoulder, kneel, twist, sit, lift patients, and remain in uncomfortable positions for prolonged periods of time.
2. Must have visual acuity enough to continuously note changes in patient condition (breathing, color, and skin integrity) and to read a thermometer, sphygmomanometer dial, and other instruments.
3. Must have hearing acuity enough to auscultate BP, hear verbal instructions and communication from clients, respond to emergency alarms, and answer the telephone.
4. Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift, position, and/or transfer patients. Able to lift supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and/or crouching. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills
5. Must be able to lift to 50 pounds.

Qualifications