Hospice Registered Nurse

Job Description:

I. Position Summary

The Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice is designed to provide a Jewish Hospice service to terminally ill patients and their families in the greater Boston area. The philosophy of the Hospice is rooted in Hessed (loving kindness), and Kevod HaBeriyot (honoring life), but Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care is open to anyone regardless of religious affiliation; our mission is informed by Jewish values that are shared across many faith traditions and spiritual belief systems. 

Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice works collaboratively with patients and families in the final months, weeks, and days of life, with the goal of achieving optimum healing of body and soul when curing is no longer an option. This means helping the patient and family with: physical comfort, emotional and spiritual support, and companionship. The Hospice goal is to help every patient at the end attain a peaceful and pain free death and support the healing and bereavement of the family. 

As a member of the interdisciplinary group (IDG), the Hospice Registered Nurse provides professional nursing care to the Hospice's patients. Identify patient/family needs and provide supportive care in accordance with the attending physician's orders, the IDG plan of care and the Hospice's policies and procedures. The Hospice Registered Nurse provides care under the direction of the attending physician, the Hospice Medical Director, the Clinical Director, and in compliance with the state's Registered Nurse Practice Act.

II. Position Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for a patient visit or on-call schedule which includes the assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating phases of the nursing process. 
• Provides Hospice nursing care based on systematic assessment focusing on pain control and symptom management.
• Initiates communication with attending physicians, other Hospice staff members and other agencies as needed to coordinate care and use of resources for the patient/family.
• Assesses the patient and develops an individualized and comprehensive plan of care in partnership with the Interdisciplinary group and in accordance with Hospice regulations/guidelines. Routinely assesses patients response to plans of care and performs comprehensive assessments, hospice aide supervision, and coordination/oversight of hospice services provided in assisted living, LTC, SNF and hospital settings.
• Maintains regular communication with the Clinical Director to review assignments and with the attending physician/medical director concerning patient/family needs. 
• Obtains data on physical, psychological, social and spiritual factors that may influence patient/family health status and incorporates that data into the plan of care.
• Maintains up-to-date patient records so that problems, plans, actions and goals are accurately and clearly stated and changes are reflected as they occur in accordance with agency policy and Medicare regulations.
• Accurately documents assessment findings, observations, interventions and evaluations pertaining to patient care management and services provided in accordance with Hospice policy and procedures on the day services are rendered. Submits documentation in a timely manner.
• Teaches, supervises and counsels patients/families regarding physical care and comfort, and other problems related to the patient's terminal condition. 
• Provides guidance to patients/families to assist them in preparing for and coping with anticipated physical and psychological events throughout the dying process. Provides appropriate support at time of death and period of bereavement.
• Meets regularly with Hospice nursing staff to review problems or unique issues from caseloads, share professional support, and exchange feedback aimed toward enhancing professional growth.
• Participates in IDG conference as needed and facilitates discussion of issues from caseload for full staff discussion, consultation and evaluation.
• Supervises the Hospice Aide and the aide plan of care at least every fourteen (14) days and documents such supervision. If concerns are noted, observes the aide onsite providing care. If concerns are ongoing, reports to the Clinical Director of the need to repeat a competency evaluation with aide.
• Informs the Clinical Director of unusual or potentially problematic patient/family issues.
• Shares in providing 24-hour, seven-day a week coverage (evening and weekend on-call) to patients/families.
• Demonstrates working clinical knowledge and skills relative to hospice and end-of-life care, and a commitment to clinical excellence and ongoing training in the latest pain and symptom management interventions.

III. Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing, BSN preferred.
• Currently licensed in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Massachusetts.
• Must have no less than six months experience in acute care setting as an RN prior to home care assignment, or experience as required by state regulations. 
• Minimum of one year’s experience as an RN required. 
• Experience in Hospice is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and respond to the needs of patients and families in varied settings and to cope with emotional stress.
• Must be able to function in a practice environment with minimal direct supervision, accepting personal responsibility for maintaining a professional relationship with patients and their families.
• Must accept responsibility for maintaining clinical practice skills, learning and adhering to Hospice's policies and procedures on an on-going basis.
• Transports self to patient's home/facility in a reliable vehicle and has a valid Massachusetts driver’s license. May be working in multiple locations in a workday.

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