Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Nurse

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 the Registered Nurse, RN, which involves following VITAS policies and standards, practicing within the scope of the RN license, and having knowledge of hospice eligibility requirements. The RN reports any request to practice outside of scope of license to the manager/supervisor. The RN performs supervision of nursing tasks delegated to Hospice Aides, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, and Volunteers per the plan of care. The RN completes initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments including physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement in order to provide palliation of end-of-life symptoms. The RN appropriately identifies/utilizes resources, referrals such as PT, OT, Home Health, Dietary, Pharmacy, Supplies, Home Medical Equipment, and other visits/consults. The RN completes documentation at the time of the event and at the location of care unless otherwise directed. The RN provides education and training to patients, families, caregivers and referral sources in the care of the patient, including pain management. The RN participates in patient care meetings as assigned and in weekly team meetings. The RN provides effective communication/shift reports through written, verbal, reporting and body language. The RN participates in bereavement support. The RN participates in the on-call rotation and/or provides shifts during non-business hours such as evenings, weekends and holidays based upon program-identified needs. The RN provides visits/shifts in program coverage area. The RN works with IDG to develop, coordinate, and follow the patients individualized plan of care. The RN obtains physician orders when necessary. The RN provides those services requiring substantial and specialized nursing skill. The RN evaluates the outcome of services. The RN appropriately delegates nursing tasks to Hospice Aides/Homemakers, Volunteers, and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses.

The RN participates in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program and related activities as assigned. This may include participation in Performance Improvement Project(s) (PIP) and gathering clinical data which is used for quality measures. The RN develops and achieves professional growth goals and objectives personally and per Team Manager reviews. The RN responsible for attending orientation and regularly scheduled in-services/educational conferences as assigned. The RN participates in orientation of Hospice Aides, Volunteers and other IDG members as assigned. The RN participates in training activities internally within VITAS and externally as assigned. The RN provides customer service, maintains focus on the patient and family experience of care, serves as a patient and family advocate, reports patient/family/customer complaints to Team Manager, participates in patient/family/customer conflict resolution as applicable, and represents the nursing profession, the VITAS site/location and VITAS overall in a positive manner.

The job requires reliable transportation with adequate insurance coverage for driver and passengers, and a telephone available (cellular or land line).

The physical demands for the Registered Nurse, RN, include assisting in lifting and transferring patients, lifting objects in excess of 20 pounds, standing or walking in excess of one hour per day, talking and hearing, and specific vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. The RN will be required to sit and stoop, kneel, and crouch.

Qualifications for the Registered Nurse, RN, include being 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, and equivalent experience or licensure may be considered.