Registered Nurse - RN - Staff Hospice

Job Summary

Responsible for the delivery of patient care in accordance with acceptable standards of care in various care settings including patient homes, hospitals, long term care facilities, assisted living facilities and retirement communities in the hospice service area.

Collaborates with other professional disciplines and members of the hospice interdisciplinary team to ensure effective and efficient patient care delivery and the achievement of desired patient outcomes.

Utilizes knowledge of patient's age, gender and cultural diversity into the provision of patient care. Contributes to the provision of quality nursing care through performance improvement processes that demonstrate positive outcomes in patient care.

Provides supervision of the Hospice aides. Provides on-call coverage for the hospice program.

Minimum Job Qualifications

Licensure or other certifications : Georgia RN licensure. Current BLS certification.

Educational Requirements : Associates Degree

Minimum Experience : Minimum of one (1) year of clinical nursing experience.

Other :

Preferred Job Qualifications

Preferred Licensure or other certifications : CHPN.

Preferred Educational Requirements :

Preferred Experience : Experience with emphasis on care of terminally ill patients, adults in acute care medical and surgical areas / home care.

Additional experience with children and infants desired. One (1) year hospice experience.

Other :

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong clinical nursing and assessment skills

Ability to understand, interpret and adhere to regulations, agency policy / procedure and accreditation standards

Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills

Skill in documenting clinical care in software system via laptop computer

Able to work independently and as a member of a team

Heavy travel throughout service area; must have own automobile, proof of valid driver's license, and current auto insurance with a minimum of $100,000 liability.

Hours may be extended to meet the needs of the agency. Twenty-four (24) hour on-call assignment as scheduled.

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

Admits patients to the hospice program. Assesses the appropriateness of patient admission to the hospice program based on state, federal and regulatory requirements, hospice admission criteria and in consultation / coordination with attending physician and hospice medical director.

Completes the admission visit utilizing specialized format of the agency and within specified time frame. Performs complete and thorough assessment.

Collaborates with the attending physician, hospice Medical Director, referral source, and hospice intake department.

Delivers nursing care according to the standards of care defined within the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards of Clinical Practice and Standards of Hospice Nursing Practice and Professional Performance.

Performs routine, admission, death pronouncement, continuous care, and on call visits as assigned and / or as needed by patient / significant others.

Implements the interventions identified in the plan of care and evaluates response to interventions in relation to expected outcomes.

Supervises the hospice aide and LPN in accordance with State and Federal regulations and agency policy and procedure. Provides education and instruction patient and / or caregivers appropriate to the learning ability / level of the patient and / or caregiver.

Assesses, instructs and refers as indicated to ensure a safe environment for the patient.

Documents care in accordance with medical documentation standards and in accordance with agency policy, standards and timelines.

Completes patient charting in accordance with agency policy and procedure and within specified timeframes 100% of time. Charts concisely and legibly.

Does not utilize unacceptable abbreviations. Documents in a manner that facilitates the determination of expected outcomes and plan of care, including interventions and response to interventions.

Completes necessary paperwork / procedures for the appropriate payor to ensure proper reimbursement in accordance with agency policy and procedure.

Collaborates and communicates with the patient / family, Primary Nurse, Patient Care Coordinator, Physician, Referral Source, and Hospice Interdisciplinary Team to ensure optimal coordination of care for each patient / family and to participate in the development and monitoring of the plan of care to ensure effective patient case management.

Acknowledges and honors the patient and significant others as vital members of the health care team. Communicates accordingly in assessing and establishing their needs and goals.

Delivers care in a manner that preserves and protects patient autonomy, dignity and rights. Consults with Attending Physician / Medical Director / health care providers for patient care, especially difficult to control symptoms of hospice patients.

Recommends / assists the Primary Nurse in coordinating all aspects of care for patients and their families by appropriate communications with various IDT members and referrals to appropriate community agencies / resources as indicated.

Notifies interdisciplinary team members of changes in patients' condition / support system / environment and changes made in specific duties in the hospice aide's assignment related to the patient's needs.

Coordinates changes in level of care and care setting as indicated and in accordance with physician orders and agency policy.

Area / Unit Specific Essential Tasks and Responsibilities-On Call Hospice RN

Provides on call coverage after normal business hours. Responds appropriately to pages / calls from Hospice office, NGMC operator or Administrator on call concerning needs of patient, family, significant others, physician, referral sources.

Handles calls with excellent customer service, compassion and clinical and interpersonal expertise. Verbally offers to make visit to each current hospice / significant other call for assistance, including when assigned to be on-call.

Always provides visits when appropriates. If unable to assist an individual in need, offers to find someone who can. Visits within required time frames established by agency.

Demonstrates good judgment and analytical ability in response to calls. Inspires confidence from callers and co-workers, remaining well informed and prepared at all times.

Demonstrates caring and maintains calm and effective behavior during stressful situations. Responds appropriately to new referrals received while on call.

Considers factors relating to safety, effectiveness, performance improvement, and cost in planning and delivering patient care.

Participates in peer chart review and other Quality Assessment / Performance Improvement activities as directed. Documents and processes all variances, medication errors, adverse drug reactions and infection surveillance in accordance with agency policy and procedure.

Evaluates care from a cost effectiveness perspective and utilizing hospice philosophy of care. Understands hospice Medicare / Medicaid / payor benefits and delivers care in accordance with benefit and plan of care.

Maintains responsibility for communication and professional development and growth. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings, staff meetings and educational programs when indicated or obtains information through review of minutes, handout materials, video / audio tapes of sessions.

Completes all required education within specified time frames. Seeks out education required to maintain clinical and regulatory expertise and knowledge.

Completes required competencies within specified time frames. Observes established dress guidelines, visibly wearing the photo / name identification badge.

Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with OSHA regulations, organization's safety policies and risk management program.

Physical Demands

Weight Lifted : Up to 50 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

Weight Carried : Up to 20 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

Vision : Moderate, Constantly 66-100%

Kneeling / Stooping / Bending : Frequently 31-65%

Standing / Walking : Frequently 31-65%

Pushing / Pulling : Frequently 31-65%

Intensity of Work : Frequently 31-65%

Job Requires : Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding, Driving

Working at NGHS means being part of something special : a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.