Registered Nurse

SUMMARY 

The Registered Nurse provides skilled nursing care for assigned hospice patients. The RN works cooperatively with the other members of the Interdisciplinary Hospice Team. The RN provides intermittent visits or shifts of care, performs prescribed medical treatments, provides nursing observations, provides teaching regarding the expected course of the disease, care techniques and other health measure to the patient, family, or primary care giver, and participates in the care plan.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Patient Care

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 illnesses.
2. Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process.
3. Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by:
   1. Writing and initiating plan of care
   2. Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs
   3. Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary
4. Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.
5. Uses equipment and supplies effectively and efficiently.
6. Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and the family in the planning process.
7. Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care.
8. Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.
9. Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan.
10. Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care.

Communication

1. Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.
2. Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required.
3. Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.
4. 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.
5. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
6. Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.
7. Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice Interdisciplinary Group Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.
8. Attends interdisciplinary group meetings.

Additional Duties

1. Responsible for providing oversight to the LVNs in the Post-Acute Care’s Medication Reconciliation Program.
2. Responsible for timely completion of the medication reconciliation of Allied members post discharge.
3. Work with the Medication Reconciliation Program manager to monitor daily, weekly completion rates and meet regularly with the Director of Post-Acute Care to report progress. 
4. Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy.
5. Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.
6. Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.
7. 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.
8. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.
9. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.

QUALIFICATIONS  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Registered nurse with current license to practice professional nursing in the state.
2. Maintains a current CPR certification.
3. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state/or organization requirements and is in good working order.
4. Minimum of one year experience in hospice, home health, or community health experience. 
5. Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision.
6. Management experience not required. Responsible for supervising hospice aides.
7. Demonstrates excellent observation, problem solving, verbal and written communications; nursing skills per competency checklist.
8. Shows ability to organize and prioritize workload independently.
9. 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.
10. Must be flexible and available on the weekends if needed.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE  

• Minimum of BA/BS degree

• Minimum of one year experience in hospice, home health, or community health experience.