Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide direct patient care and supervise care provided in the patient care unit setting

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current NC license as a registered nurse
• Minimum 2-3 years’ nursing experience required 
• Active patient contact or completion of a nursing refresher course within the past 3 years
• CPR certification

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of and commitment to the hospice philosophy of care
• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule
• Willingness to work with patients/families regardless of race, color, creed, age or sexual orientation. Must respect their beliefs and philosophy with an attitude of openness and receptiveness

TRAINING-Initial And Ongoing:

• Complete Hospice volunteer/staff training program
• Complete Hospice orientation program
• Obtain 12 hours of continuing education per year, including mandatory safety in-service
• Attend minimum of six staff meetings per year
• Attend assigned team meetings every two weeks
• Maintain CPR certification

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in orienting new team members, as requested
• Participate in quality improvement program
• Adhere to strict confidentiality 
• Adhere to safety policy and practices
• Complete employee time record accurately per policy
• Cooperate with all government agencies and outside auditors
• Assist with updating policies and procedures, as appropriate
• Complete annual TB screening
• Assure all license, certifications, continuing education information and any other required documentation are submitted to human resources and kept current
• Maintain up-to-date documentation required and specified in Hospice policy and procedure
• Perform other duties assigned by supervisor
• Conduct admission assessments
• Establish plan of care for new patients incoordination with interdisciplinary team
• Follow and update plan of care established by the interdisciplinary team with goals defined by the patient/family and the hospice team
• Assure nursing services (treatment of symptoms, preventive measures, etc.) are provided according to the plan of care, as indicated 
• Make assignments and supervise patient care provided by volunteers and staff members
• Continually reassess patient needs, making changes in plan of care as indicated
• Notify physician and appropriate staff members of change in patient condition 
• Make referrals to other services as needed in coordination with social worker
• Provide patient/family with information concerning the disease process, the dying process, the regimen of treatment, and alternative methods of care
• Respond to questions honestly and realistically 
• Help the patient/family to make informed choices 
• Promote independence and responsibility throughout the course of the disease
• Actively listen to patient and family concerns 
• Support individual coping mechanisms
• Provide services at the time of death
• Notify staff of patient death in accordance with policy 
• Assure medications are administered accurately, on a timely basis and in accordance with physician’s orders
• Respond promptly to all emergency situations
• Maintain constant vigilance over patients, insuring necessary safety precautions are taken
• Follow all infection control procedures 
• Supervise nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, and volunteers on duty 
• Assure facility is secured per safety policies and procedures after hours and on weekends
• Assure facility environment is appropriate to promote privacy and solace for all patients
• Assure patient/facility laundry is appropriately cleaned and restocked

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Speech and hearing skills necessary for telephone interaction and face to face contact
• Visual acuity to read chart and physician’s orders
• Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time
• Manual dexterity to establish IV sites, manipulate tubing, and other patient care supplies
• With assistance, ability to lift and support an average of 150 pounds
• Ability to sit as required to perform duties 
• Ability to pull/push, and bend frequently
• Ability to squat, kneel, climb, and balance

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have an automobile with required insurance coverage and state driver’s license (if driving while on duty)