JOB SUMMARY: The Registered Nurse (RN) plans, organizes and directs hospice care and is experienced in nursing, with emphasis on community health education/experience. The professional nurse builds from the resources of the community, to plan and direct services to meet the needs of individual and families within their homes and communities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

* Complete an initial, comprehensive and ongoing comprehensive assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs

* Provide a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es)

* Provide professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of the nursing process

* Assess and evaluate patient's status by:

* Writing and initiating plan of care

* Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs

* Participating in revising the plan of care, as necessary

* Initiate the plan of care and make necessary revisions as patient status and needs change

* Use health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis

* Develop a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporate palliative nursing actions

* Include the patient and the family in the planning process

* Initiate appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures

* Administer medications and treatments, as prescribed by the physician, in the physician's plan of care

* Counsel the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs

* Provide health care instructions to the patient, as appropriate, per assessment and plan

* Assist the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitate the patient's efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care

* Complete, maintain and submit accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient's condition and care given

* Record pain/symptom management and changes/outcomes as appropriate

* Communicate with the physician regarding the patient's needs and report changes in the patient's condition; obtain/receive physicians' orders, as required

* Communicate with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan

* Teach the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques, as appropriate

* Provide medication, diet and other instructions, as ordered by the physician, and recognize and utilize opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers

* Work in concert with the interdisciplinary group

* Provide and maintain a safe environment for the patient

* Assist the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care

* Work in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice interdisciplinary group to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver

* May be required to attend interdisciplinary group meetings

* Participate in on-call duties, as defined by the on-call policy

* Ensure that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available

* Supervise ancillary personnel and delegate responsibilities when required

* Assume responsibility for personal growth and development, maintain and upgrade professional knowledge and practice skills, through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-service classes

* Fulfill the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments

* Actively participate in quality assessment performance improvement teams

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

* Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing

* Must have at least one (1) year of acute care experience in an institutional setting

* One (1) year of experience in home care preferred

* Must have current licensure in the state

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

* Must demonstrate excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills

* Must possess excellent problem-solving skills and basic math skills

* Must demonstrate nursing skills per competency checklist

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

* Must be able to read and follow instructions, as required

* Must be able to travel, often without notice

* Must be flexible in work hours

* Must demonstrate a willingness to maintain a comprehensive working knowledge regarding information systems and applicable software programs

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

* Must comply with company policies, procedures and processes, in addition to Hospice rules and regulations

* Must be dependable and flexible in work schedule

* Must comply with harassment and discrimination policies

* Must foster good working relationships

* Must be able to read, write and speak in English

* Must possess and maintain current CPR certification

* Must be a licensed driver with licensed automobile that is insured, in accordance with organization/state requirements and is in good working order

* Must be willing to submit to a criminal background check prior to hire and annually thereafter

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

* Must be able to see color changes on a patient's skin; can listen to heart and lung sounds through a stethoscope; and feel skin temperature, as well as palpating pulses

* Must demonstrate vital sensory abilities including near vision, far vision, perceptual speed, visual color discrimination, depth perception and hearing sensitivity

* Must have finger dexterity, arm-hand steadiness, and manual dexterity

* Must be able to manipulate equipment in a safe and effective way and use tools that require motor functioning, such as blood pressure monitors and hemostats

* Must be able to communicate with patients, families and other health care workers

* Speech clarity, speech recognition and written expression are vital abilities for performing the job

* Must be able to lift heavy items on a frequent basis

* Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. with or without assistance and must be able to spend a prolonged amount of time standing, walking, bending and stretching

* Must possess the ability to deal with stressful situations as well as grieving families

* Must be able to be compassionate without becoming personally involved with the patients and their families

* Must be willing to participate in a drug/alcohol screen prior to hire, if involved in a work- related automobile accident and if reasonable suspicion is reported