Hospice Registered Nurse (RN)

Job Description Summary

The registered nurse 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 community-based settings.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

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).

 Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process and as defined in the state Nurse Practice Act.

Assesses and evaluates 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

Initiates the plan of care and makes necessary revisions as patient status and needs change.

Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.

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.

Initiates appropriate preentive and rehabilitative nursing procedures.  Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician outlined 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 optimal comfort care.

Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Director and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.

Communication

Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given.  Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.

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 staff 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 conjunction 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 as requested.

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.

Registered Nurse with current licensure to practice professional nursing in the state of Indiana.

Must possess current CPR certification.

Minimum with two (2) years’ clinical experience and hospice care experience preferred but not required.

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.  Driving is required throughout hours worked.

Demonstrates excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, and basic math skills and/or 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.

Complies with accepted professional standards and practice.

Shows ability to organize and prioritize independently, make judgements based on assessments and data available, and act accordingly.  Must be flexible, innovative, and possess good interpersonal skills.  Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress and demonstrate emotional stability.

Be able to tolerate exposure to various elements including, but not limited to: odors, blood, body fluids and excrement, adverse environmental conditions and hazardous materials.

Ability to work as a member of the interdisciplinary group.

Ability to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values.

Knowledge of commitment to hospice philosophy of care.