Hospice of the Valley is a national leader in hospice care and has been serving the Phoenix metropolitan area since 1977. A mission-driven, not-for-profit organization, Hospice of the Valley employs compassionate, skilled professionals who are committed to excellence, enjoy teamwork and contribute daily to our mission and culture of caring. Team members experience a friendly, supportive atmosphere, leadership support, autonomy, flexibility and the privilege of doing meaningful, rewarding work.

Position Profile
The RN will provide expert dementia education and support to patients/families/caregivers involved in the Supportive Care for Dementia Program, with the goals of supporting comfort and quality of life for both persons with dementia and their care partners.  

Responsibilities

• • Provides expert palliative dementia care education and support in consultation with the Supportive Care for Dementia Director/Medical Director.
  • Develops and maintains in-depth state-of-the-art knowledge base about dementia care.
  • Provides on-site and telephone consultation with families and other caregivers concerning patient care techniques and solutions to behavioral problems. Answers questions, provides resources and serves as resource for any complex dementia related issues.
  • Skillfully discusses advance care planning with responsible parties to minimize hospitalization and nursing home placement if appropriate.
  • Reviews medications with Medical Director to support excellent medication management and avoid polypharmacy.
  • Provides effective patient/family/caregiver teaching.
  • Assesses current patient/family/caregiver understanding. Identifies specific information patient/family/caregiver are requesting and the extent of information they want to obtain. Identifies who and how information is to be delivered; speaks with patient or family/caregiver first or everyone together at once.
  • Shares information and provides teaching that is relevant, timely and congruent with patient/family/caregiver goals of care. Provides education related to disease process, caregiver self-care techniques, advanced directives. Refers to appropriate resources for additional information and support.
  • Educates community, facility staff, hospice staff, nursing home and hospital staff on topics of palliative dementia care, delirium, end of life decision making for persons with dementia.
  • Demonstrates compassionate presence, non-judgmental acceptance, sensitivity and empathy. Remains open and approachable in all interactions. Uses active listening skills and open ended questions to identify what the patient/family/caregiver understands and to encourage expression of needs, concerns, ideas, feelings and expectations. Identifies and validates feelings.
  • Adjusts actions based upon the situation and the response of the patient and family/caregiver.
  • Demonstrates a calm demeanor, maintains composure and displays thoughtful and considerate responses regardless of situation
  • Maintains appropriate professional boundaries. Sets aside one’s personal beliefs, feelings and judgments to sensitively care for patients and families.
  • Provides emotional support to patients and families regarding crisis intervention, conflict resolution, adjustment to illness disability and loss.
  • Provides psychosocial intervention in accordance with program goals; reinforces plans and goals as necessary. 
  • Creates timely and accurate documentation.
  • Utilizes resources effectively and efficiently.
  • Maintains and enhances professional skills.
  • Adheres to high standards of personal and professional conduct.

Minimum Qualifications

• • Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
  • Experience working in a healthcare setting which includes persons with dementia is preferred.
  • Knowledge base of dementia including causes, symptoms, and management of dementia and family support strategies.
  • Understanding of community resources for persons with dementia including those related to financial benefits.
  • Understanding of ALTCS, Medicare, and other insurance benefits relevant for older adults in Maricopa County.
  • Demonstrated understanding of issues of terminal illness; death and dying; loss and grief.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information.
  • Valid Arizona driver’s license and insured automobile. 

Preferred Qualifications

• • Spanish-speaking skills desirable although not required.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information.
  • Ability to adapt to unpredictable situations in patient care setting.
  • Excellent critical thinking/problem solving skills. Ability to effectively anticipate needs and problems. Ability to recognize capabilities and utilize others/resources to optimize patient care.
  • Ability to manage time well and perform assigned duties with attention detail, accuracy and follow-through with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to deal with confidential information in a professional manner.
  • Proficient computer skills.

Hospice of the Valley is an equal employment opportunity employer. EOE/M/F/D/V