Registered Nurse (RN)

Job Title: Registered Nurse (RN)

The Registered Nurse, RN, is a member of the interdisciplinary team who work together to meet the physical, medical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs of hospice patients and families facing terminal illness and bereavement. The Registered Nurse, RN, is designated to provide coordination of care, ensure continuous assessment of each patients and family's needs and implementation of the interdisciplinary plan of care.

Job responsibilities include:

• Case management and supervision for Registered Nurse, RN
• Follows VITAS policies and standards and practices within the scope of the RN license
• Reports any request to practice outside of scope of license to the manager/supervisor
• Performs supervision of nursing tasks delegated to Hospice Aides, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses and Volunteers
• Completes initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments including physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement
• Identifies/utilizes resources, referrals and completes documentation at the time of the event
• Provides education and training to patients, families, caregivers and referral sources
• Participates in patient care meetings, weekly team meetings and bereavement support
• Participates in the on-call rotation and provides shifts during non-business hours
• Works with IDG to develop, coordinate, and follow the patients individualized plan of care
• Obtains physician orders when necessary and provides nursing care including nursing tasks that may be delegated
• Participates in and monitors patient and family care compliance activities
• Professionally manages/coordinates the hospice plan of care and provides and follows infection control practices

Quality improvement responsibilities include:

• Participates in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Program and related activities
• Gathers clinical data which is used for quality measures

Professional development responsibilities include:

• Develops and achieves professional growth goals and objectives
• Attends orientation and regularly scheduled in-services/educational conferences
• Participates in orientation of Hospice Aides, Volunteers and other IDG members
• Participates in training activities internally within VITAS and externally
• Provides customer service, reports patient/family/customer complaints and participates in patient/family/customer conflict resolution
• Represents the nursing profession, the VITAS site/location and VITAS overall in a positive manner

Job requirements include:

• Reliable transportation with adequate insurance coverage for driver and passengers
• Telephone available (cellular or land line)

Essential functions/physical demands include:

• Assist in lifting and transferring patients, lift objects in excess of 20 pounds, stand or walk in excess of one hour per day, talk and hear
• Close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, sit and stoop, kneel, and crouch

Qualifications for the Registered Nurse, RN include:

• Currently licensed to practice nursing in the state where the VITAS program is located
• A minimum of two years of nursing experience in hospice, home health, or community health in the last five years
• Equivalent experience or licensure may be considered

Direction received:

Reports directly to the Team Manager.