The Variable Staffing Night Nurse [VSNN] is a member of the Variable Staffing Team and, as such, participates in providing after hours staffing coverage including Nights On-Call Coverage, both Evening Admissions and Night Visit roles as well as Evening Shift coverage and Admissions.
The Variable Staffing Night Nurse [VSNN] is responsible for providing after hours support to patient / families admitted to hospice service. Working in collaboration with Triage, the VSNN responds to pt / family calls and intervenes appropriately, providing phone instruction / support or visit as assessed. Care provided is based on an the individualized Plan of Care developed by the IDT that reflects pt / family goals related of Safe & Comfortable Dying, Self-Determined Life Closure and Effective Bereavement.
The VSNN demonstrates : sensitivity and compassion for the issues involved with serving patients and families facing a terminal illness, death and bereavement; clinical competence in pain and symptom management; and fiscal responsibility in the planning and delivery of services.
Essential Responsibilities
Patient / family Care
- Recognizes the patient and family as the "unit of care" and IDT members
- Respects patient right to self-determination and acts as advocate within the context of the values and ethical standards of HSCC
- Demonstrates ability to meet pt / family where they are
- Offers / makes visits per agency policy
- Offers home visit at time of death
- Utilizes nursing process in providing primary care to pt / families, and professional patient management to facility staff
- Documents all care and care planning per agency policy
- Provides nursing interventions for pt / family as ordered by the physician and in accordance with the POC, safe nursing practice and the policies and procedures of HSCC
- Monitors management of pain and symptoms in collaboration with patient / family, facility staff, IDT and physician to achieve maximum comfort
- Administers medications and treatments as ordered prn
- Instructs and supports pt / family unit and facility staff re : symptom mgmt, patient care, disease process & death / dying
Admission Visits
Meets with patients & families in all settings to explain services, answer questions and admit patient as appropriateConducts info visits and discuss difficult treatment and / or symptom management issues to facilitate the admission processDevelops and implements an individualized, interdisciplinary Plans of Care for patients and familiesUses electronic medical record (EMR) systems effectively and efficiently to complete required documentation in a variety of patient care settingsOn Call
Works cooperatively with Variable Staffing Team members to provide after hours coverage for HSCC pt / families and staff of our facility partners.Participates in providing extra coverage for planned and unplanned absencesSecures current information on each patient prior to making callAssesses patient status via telephone responseFollows agency policy in determining whether to make / offer visit for patient / familyAssists, supports & educates patient and family through physical and emotional crisis utilizing all Variable Staffing Team after hours resources available; Social Workers, Chaplains, Hospice Aides, Administrator On Call.Assesses for and promotes caregiver confidence via telephone teaching or onsite visits.Obtains medications, medical supplies and equipment per pt need / physician order and HSCC policies and procedures when neededDemonstrates understanding of pharmacy-related policies & proceduresDisposes or instructs re : disposal of Schedule II medications at time of death per agency policyOpens, closes and revises POC per HSCC guidelinesDocuments all contacts, instructions and interventions in the electronic medical record per HSCC policies & proceduresDocuments all contacts, instructions and interventions provided per HSCC policies & proceduresCreates individualized POC based on the assessment of pt / family needs and goalsPOC addresses pt / family physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs a written POC that includes identified goals, interventions and outcomes and documentsSecondary Responsibilities
IDT Participation
Functions as a member of the HSCC IDT maintaining open & organized communication with hospice staff, volunteers and supervisorWorks collaboratively with IDT to develop common goals to meet the needs of the pt / familyCompletes and submits all documentation in accordance with policies and proceduresQuality Improvement
Meets all standards and requirement as indicated by licensing and accrediting agenciesCompletes and submits all documentation in accordance with policies and proceduresSubmits verification of current employment related documents per HSCC policies, procedures and licensing agenciesParticipates in activities that affirm, enhance and develop the highest quality standards for HSCCParticipates in developing standards for quality patient care within HSCCParticipates in Quality Assessment & Improvement activities as requestedSpecial Projects
Participates in special projects as requestedPerforms other related job duties as assigned by SupervisorCompliance
Ensures all HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and all other regulatory / compliance requirements are understood and followedSubmits verification of current RN licenseSubmits proof of auto insurance annually; keeps drivers license current and maintains a good driving recordEnsures TB checks are completed in a timely manner; at least annuallyRequirements
Require current California RN licenseValid state driver's license and liability auto insuranceAvailable to work weekends and holidays routinelyRequired to attend regular meetings and in-servicesSkills Required
Critical thinking and ability to function both independently and as a member of the Variable Staffing Team after hours support.Familiarity with electronic charting programs and / or demonstrated keyboard and computer skills sufficient to utilize electronic medical record charting.Education / Experience
Degree in Nursing from an accredited college1 year minimum of RN experience2-5 years RN experience in hospice, oncology, medsurg, ICU, ER, skilled nursing facilities or homecare preferredAcute care experience preferredHospice and / or home health experience preferredEnd-of-life and pain management experience preferredCertifications, Licenses, Registrations
California State issued RN license.Pass OIG / GSA review and all required background checksSkills Desired
Bilingual in English / Spanish encouraged but not required.Previous experience working with end of life is desirable.Physical Demands
Sufficient dexterity to utilize electronic record keeping systems, computers / keyboards and or laptops and other related equipmentAbility to travel to patient locations; includes ability to drive, negotiate stairs and walkways including uneven surfaces at private homes or facilitiesVision ability to read manual and electronic documentation, medications, charts, office related equipment, and instructionsHearing ability within normal range to elicit and detect pertinent information while communicating with patients and health teamSpeech to verbally communicate to assess and impart information concerning patient status; to complete patient / family teaching and to interact with health care teamWork Environment / Environmental Condition
Performs services in private homes and care facilities and will experience a variety of settings and situationsOffice work is performed in combination of private homes, care facilities and office environment.Job Posted by ApplicantPro