Hospice RN

Patient Care

• Completes an initial, comprehensive and ongoing comprehensive assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs.
• Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).
• Utilizes all elements of nursing process and as defined in the state Nurse Practice Act.
• Affirms the need to reassess patient and family/caregiver needs regularly.
• Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions.
• Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician's plan of care.
• Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.
• Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan.
• Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care.
• Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Supervisor and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.
• Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given.
• Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required.
• Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.
• 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.
• Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
• Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.
• Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice interdisciplinary group to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.
• Attends interdisciplinary group meetings.

Additional Duties

• Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy.
• Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.
• Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.
• 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.
• Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.
• Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.

Position Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• One (1) to two (2) years of recent acute care experience in an institutional setting, and one (1) to two (2) years of recent experience in home care.
• Current licensure in State.
• Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.
• Bachelor’s degree, with one (1) year of hospice care experience preferred but not required.
• Manages hospice aides.
• Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, basic math skills; nursing skills per competency checklist.
• 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.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan- 100% match up to 4%
• No vesting period
• Paid Time Off (PTO)- Accrual of PTO starts immediately
• Flexible Work Schedule with Work/Life Balance
• Stillwater University for learning and development