Hospice Nurse RN

Staff Registered Nurse

The Staff Registered Nurse provides professional and comprehensive nursing care within the scope of agency services. The target patient population for this position are those requiring Hospice services. Activities of this position are patient/client focused and utilize the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation in accordance with nursing practice standards, physician orders, and agency policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

(15%) Understands criteria for admission and recertification to hospice care and takes appropriate actions in response to patient/client conditions related to these criteria.

(10%) Upon admission, assesses patients/clients needs including physical, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and environmental.

(45%) Regularly assesses patients/clients needs and caregiver abilities and communicates with other team members as needed to ensure optimal patient and family/caregiver care.

(30%) Initiates plan of care for assigned patients/clients and revises and adapts as necessary.

Other duties and responsibilities:

• MyMichigan Health is a technology driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows. An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health.
• Provides symptom management for discomfort related to end of life care.
• Provides nursing care (or arranges for services through specialized staff) through ongoing visits to a group of patients/clients, based on acuity and level of care needed.
• Coordinates patient/client care by evaluating outcomes and providing on-going feedback to others involved in care relative to patient/client status and changes needed on patient/client care plan including referrals to other services as needed.
• May coordinate care provided by a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and a Home Health Aide. Implements preventative and rehabilitative nursing procedures and utilizes community resources for optimum patient care.
• Notifies physician of changes in patient/client condition and care needs and obtains new orders as needed.
• Utilizes Agency documentation system to record services provided according to agency, professional, and program standards.
• Assists in maintenance of patient/client records.
• Provides patients/clients/caregivers/physicians with the necessary information regarding the disease process and end of life care issues deal with issues of ethical concern.
• Participates in the clinical team in providing patients/clients/caregivers with information required by regulatory agencies.
• Functions as part of multi-disciplinary team in coordinating care and prioritizing needs.
• Acts as a preceptor to provide educational visit opportunities for students and will participate in orientation of new staff as assigned.
• Participates in Agency, community and/or home health/hospice organization education and activities as assigned and appropriate.
• Participates in staff meetings, in-service education programs, and other opportunities for learning.
• Maintains awareness of own needs for support and takes appropriate actions to ensure own health and safety.
• Complies with documentation requirements for employee personnel and activity records as defined in Agency policy.
• Carries out work according to Agency policies and procedures in such a manner as to appropriately reflect Agency standards for timeliness, accuracy, and productivity.
• Maintains confidentiality of client and Agency information.
• Adheres to the Agency standards related to personal appearance and behavior.
• Participates in weekend and holiday rotations and on-call duties as identified in personnel policies.
• Participates in Agency performance improvement process.
• Assists in Agency community education activities as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Certifications and Licensures

Credential: BLS: Basic Life Support Equivalent Experience: Within 1 month of hire or transfer Qualification Source: AHA

Credential: DRIVERSLIC: Drivers License Credential: RN: Registered Nurse Credential: VEH INS: Vehicle Insurance Credential: FINGERPRIN: Fingerprinting

Required Education

Education: Associates Degree Education Specialization: NRG

Other Information

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING AND SKILLS:

• Access to reliable transportation and must possess a current and valid driver's license and insurance.
• One year of direct patient care nursing experience prefer med/ surg experience.
• Must have strong critical thinking skills.
• Able to function as part of a team.
• Successful completion of Agency orientation and competency programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing and speak the English language.
• Ability to recognize needs and concerns of people and maintain constructive interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrating problem solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to drive under hazardous road conditions.
• Ability to work where employee may be exposed to communicable diseases in unpredictable home situations.
• Ability to perform essential job functions with reasonable accommodation.

Physical/Mental Requirements and Typical Working Conditions

• Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as, trauma, grief and death.
• Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for your position.
• Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined in the job description.
• Overall vision and hearing is necessary with or without assisted device(s).
• Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching.
• Some exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material. Must follow MyMichigan Health bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, get along with others, work independently, regular and predictable attendance and ability to stay awake.
• Overall dexterity is required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering and feeling. May require repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis.
• Physical Demand Level: Medium. Must be able to occasionally (0-33% of the workday) lift or carry 21-50 lbs., frequently 34-66% of the workday 20 lbs. and or Walk/Stand/Push/Pull of Arm/Leg controls and constantly (67-100% or the workday) 10 lbs.