Hospice On-Call RN

About the Role

Responsible for serving as the central point of telephone triage for hospice patient and family related issues after business hours, weekends, and holidays. Provides clinical assistance, nursing care, instructions, and support to patients and families in their homes, nursing homes, and hospice contracted inpatient facilities. Assesses need and level of care, plans and coordinates care needs with appropriate agency staff and community resources.

This position supports the Village Hospice mission, values, and service/hospitality (PRIDE) expectations and completes training as required by policy.

Responsibilities

• Provides home and/or facility visits as needed for patient assessment, treatment, and support, including pronouncement of patient death, responding to referrals, admitting patients, and crisis management.
• Plans comprehensive service for patients and their families, develops and/or revises nursing care plans in conjunction with the patient’s physician.
• Completes phone triage for patient-related calls using clinical knowledge and judgment, ensuring problem resolution at the point of contact.
• Works cohesively with interdisciplinary team members to meet/exceed customer needs and maximize efficiencies.
• Represents the John Knox Village Hospice program professionally to all constituencies and the public.
• Maintains current knowledge of hospice and community programs/services.
• Completes appropriate care coordination notes for phone calls, visit notes, and other clinical documentation, ensuring all documentation is synched by 8:00 am the following day.
• Reports on-call activities to the Village Hospice team at the end of each call shift.
• Assists, provides, or arranges for delivery of medications and supplies needed after business hours, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Attends interdisciplinary team meetings following on-call period for full team discussion, consultation, and evaluation of patient/family needs.
• Acts as a preceptor in the orientation of new nursing staff as directed.
• Attends staff meetings and educational in-services per agency requirements.
• Performs care consistent with Village Hospice standards of practice and adheres to all safety regulations.
• Supervises and instructs LPNs in personal care to the patient.

Requirements

• Completion of an accredited School of Nursing.
• Licensed as an RN in Missouri and/or Kansas; must be willing to obtain licensure in the other state within 90 days of hire.
• Multi-state license from any nurse licensure compact state allowing practice in Missouri and Kansas is acceptable.
• Certified Hospice Palliative Nurse (CHPN) preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or ability to obtain prior to direct patient contact.
• Valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.

Qualifications

• Two years of recent experience as a professional nurse preferred, with at least one year in hospice.
• Experience triaging patient-related calls preferred.
• Strong telephone interviewing, assessment, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work in a field setting and make sound nursing judgments.
• Knowledge of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and their caregivers.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to and communicate with primarily the geriatric population.
• Intermediate computer software knowledge/skill level.
• Ability to assess data reflecting the client’s status and interpret appropriate information relative to age-specific needs.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English to complete reports, interpret Plan of Care instructions, and interact with clients, families, physicians, and staff.
• Professionalism, tact, and patience when communicating with patients, families, staff, and the public.
• Knowledge of regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including universal precautions and contamination prevention.
• Ability to plan and organize duties, manage multiple tasks, work under pressure, handle frequent interruptions, and work independently with minimal supervision.

Schedule

On-call coverage from Friday 4:30 PM to Monday 8:00 AM, including weekends and holidays. During business days, coverage begins at 4:30 PM until 8:00 AM. Weekends and holidays, coverage begins at 8:00 AM until 8:00 AM the following day. Seven nights on, followed by seven nights off.

Special Working Conditions

• Subject to outdoor elements while accessing a patient’s residence.
• Daily travel in the greater Kansas City metro area; must provide own transportation.
• May be exposed to infectious diseases.
• Required to function around individuals with challenged mental capacities.
• May be called upon to assist other departments in declared emergency situations.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Maximum occasional lift of 50 lbs from floor to waist level.
• Maximum occasional lift of 10 lbs from floor to shoulder.
• Maximum occasional carry of 5 lbs for 100 ft.
• Maximum occasional push/pull horizontal of 40 lbs at 36 in height for 100 ft.
• Maximum frequent push/pull horizontal of 10 lbs at 46 in for 100 ft.
• Maximum occasional grip force of 40 lbs; maximum occasional lateral pinch force of 15 lbs.
• Maximum occasional climb of 8 in.
• Frequent forward reach, bend, fine motor coordination, and sitting.
• Continuous standing and walking.