Job Type
Full-time
Description
Provides direct palliative care to terminally ill patients and their families while functioning within a medically approved plan of care. Demonstrates proficiency in triaging patient emergencies both in person and on the phone while effectively communicating patient needs and concerns to the correct member of the hospice team.
Accountability :
Reports to the Director of Nursing
Requirements
Essential Job Functions :
- Fosters and maintains an effective working relationship between co-workers, patients, and other professional members of the community
- Follows an individualized Plan of Care established by the interdisciplinary team for each patient
- Manages overall care to assigned patients encompassing coordination of all hospice disciplines
- Assists the hospice interdisciplinary team in establishing and maintaining the individualized plan of care and treatment goals for each assigned patient
- Gathers, reports, and analyzes patient care data and implements care accordingly
- Capable of giving adequate report on patient's condition to the Hospice Medical Director, members of the interdisciplinary team, other nurses and supervisors as needed
- Immediately reports any changes to the Hospice Medical Director and interdisciplinary team
- Reports unusual conditions, observations and pertinent information to the physician or Director of Nursing
- Understands / provides basic principles of palliative care / pain management within the Scope of Practice
- Complies with all documentation policies / procedures
- Completes appropriate documentation in a legible and timely manner
- Utilizes appropriate chain of command
- Supervises and delegates duties to Certified Nurse Aides and Licensed Practical Nurses
- Participates in Interdisciplinary Team Meetings and other Performance Improvement Activities
- Pronouncement of Death with previously established physician orders; RN may pronounce death
- Calls coroner and / or patient's mortuary of choice and completes process related to removal of body from location of death
- Provides intervention and support as needed related to terminal illness and loss
- Provides emotional and spiritual support and makes appropriate referrals to other team members
- Assesses and address depression and fear associates with terminal illness
- Facilitates communication among patient, family, and hospice team
- Identifies caregiver strain which may necessitate respite care relief, and or support
- Educates and assist the patient and family to complete Advance Directives upon patient / family request
- Provides personal care as assigned by the Interdisciplinary Team, Hospice Physician and Director of Clinical Operations which may consist of, but not limited to :
- Nursing assessment / reassessment
- Medication management, administration, and teaching
- Providing comfort measures
- Insertion / maintenance / removal of foley catheters
- Insertion / maintenance / removal of various IV catheters for pain control / comfort
- Application / adjustment of oxygen, IV, NG, G-Tube and other invasive lines as ordered by the physician.
- Vital signs (B / P, T, P, R)
- Assists with ambulation / transfers
- Follows the State of Nevada Nurse Practice Act during all patient care activities
- Follows policy and Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice for clinical care
- Other duties as assigned
Specific to Job Position :
Adheres to patient rights, abuse reporting and confidentiality policiesAttends scheduled staff meetings and / or in-service trainingAdheres to departmental dress code requirements related to uniform, personal grooming, and other attireDemonstrates reliability by making every attempt to report to work on time, providing proper notification for absences or tardiness and participating in required meetingsDemonstrates ability to problem-solve and make decisions by assessing situations and considering alternatives, seeking guidance and direction as necessary, utilizing proper chain of commandDemonstrates effective time management skills by coordinating activities to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency, willingness to adjust or revise work schedules as requestedAssumes responsibility for on-going personal development and continuing educationStays current with all mandatory agency and regulatory requirementsCompletes assigned projects within specified time framesPhysical / Safety Requirements :
Must have the strength and endurance required for standing, walking, lifting, bending, and pushing on a consistent basis up to 50 lbs.Must utilize appropriate durable medical equipment as needed in a safe mannerUses appropriate body mechanics for safe patient careCategory 1 for potential exposure to blood / body fluids. (Requires the performance of procedures or other tasks in the work routine that involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, or a potential for spills or splashes of them. Protective measures should be used while engaged in Category 1 tasks with exposure potential.)Must utilize appropriate PPE as neededFollows the designated plan of action in the event of a fire or other emergency / disasterWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, work-related stresses, and driving hazardsThis individual may be required to drive to meetings with clients, health care professionals or patients' homesThe noise level in the work environment is usually minimalThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to meet the work environmental and physical demands listed above.
Qualifications and Experience :
Must be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse by the State Board of Nursing in the State of NevadaPrefer 1 year experience as a registered nurse in hospice, home health or geriatric careMust successfully complete a background check pursuant to NRS 449.188 and NRS 179A.100 along with a pre-employment drug screen and physical, TB testing, previous employment and reference checking, and an MVR (may include verification of education)Must read, speak, write, and understand the English languageCPR / First Aid certification is requiredMust be able to handle frequent interruptionsMust be able to cope with emotionally charged situations encompassing, patients, families, and other caregiversMust be available for prescheduled on-call hours, weekends, and holidaysMust have reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and current auto insuranceBenefits : Paid Time Off
Paid Sick Time
Paid Company Holidays
HMO EE only Medical Insurance - NO Cost
Matching 401k
Company Paid Life Insurance
Uniforms