Registered Nurse (RN)

Job Title: Registered Nurse, RNThe 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 ResponsibilitiesCase Management and Supervision for Registered Nurse, RNFollows VITAS policies and standards and practices within the scope of the RN license and has knowledge of hospice eligibility requirementsReports any request to practice outside of scope of license to the manager/supervisorPerforms supervision of (VITAS employed and contracted) nursing tasks delegated to Hospice Aides, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (and contracted Registered Nurses) and Volunteers per the plan of careCompletes initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments including physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement in order to provide palliation of end-of-life symptomsAppropriately identifies/utilizes resources, referrals such as PT, OT, Home Health, Dietary, Pharmacy, Supplies, Home Medical Equipment, and other visits/consultsCompletes documentation at the time of the event and at the location of care unless otherwise directedProvides education and training to patients, families, caregivers and referral sources in the care of the patient, including pain managementParticipates in patient care meetings as assignedParticipates in weekly team meetingsProvides effective communication/shift reports through written, verbal, reporting and body languageParticipates in bereavement supportParticipates in the on-call rotation and/or provides shifts during non-business hours such as evenings, weekends and holidays based upon program-identified needsProvides visits/shifts in program coverage areaWorks with IDG to develop, coordinate, and follow the patients individualized plan of careObtains physician orders when necessaryProvides those services requiring substantial and specialized nursing skillEvaluates the outcome of servicesAppropriately delegates nursing tasks to Hospice Aides/Homemakers, Volunteers, and Licensed Practical/Vocational NursesFor activities other than those listed in section 19-13D69(d)(3) of the Connecticut Department of Public Health delegated to a Hospice/Homemaker, the RN will document in the clinical record that:All factors pertinent to the patient's safety, including the competence of the Hospice Aide/Homemaker have been assessedDetermination that this activity can be delegated safely to a Hospice Aide/HomemakerProvides nursing care including nursing tasks that may be delegated to other roles such as LPNs, HAs and VolunteersParticipates in and monitors patient and family care compliance activitiesProfessionally manages/coordinates the hospice plan of careProvides and follows infection control practicesDelivers care in accordance with the patients plan of care. Provides primary nursing care for inpatient and continuous care patients as assigned.Quality ImprovementParticipates in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program and related activities as assignedParticipation in Performance Improvement Project(s) (PIP)Gathering clinical data which is used for quality measuresProfessional DevelopmentDevelops and achieves professional growth goals and objectives personally and per Team Manager reviewsResponsible for attending orientation and regularly scheduled in-services/educational conferences as assignedParticipates in orientation of Hospice Aides, Volunteers and other IDG members as assignedParticipates in training activities internally within VITAS and externally as assignedProvides customer serviceMaintains focus on the patient and family experience of careServes as a patient and family advocateReports patient/family/customer complaints to Team ManagerParticipates in patient/family/customer conflict resolution as applicableRepresents the nursing profession, the VITAS site/location and VITAS overall in a positive mannerJob RequirementsHas reliable transportation with adequate insurance coverage for driver and passengers.Has telephone available (cellular or land line)Essential Functions/Physical DemandsThe physical demands for the Registered Nurse, RN described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of the Registered Nurse, RN, the employee is regularly required to:Assist in lifting and transferring patients, as required.Lift objects in excess of 20 poundsStand or walk in excess of one hour per dayTalk and hearSpecific vision abilities required for the Registered Nurse, RN include:Close visionDistance visionAbility to adjust focusThe Registered Nurse, RN will be required to sit and stoop, kneel, and crouch.Qualifications for the Registered Nurse, RNCurrently 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 consideredDirection ReceivedReports directly to the Team Manager.