Registered Nurse

Hospice Nurse

Provides professional nursing services or supervises the provision of nursing services to hospice patients in accordance with accepted standards of practice and organizational guidelines. May perform nursing services in a variety of care settings and/or roles, including but not limited to case management, admissions or on-call.

Essential Functions:

• Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).
• Completes a comprehensive initial and ongoing assessment of: Patient and family/caregiver to determine hospice needs. The impact of the terminal diagnosis on the patients physical, functional, psychosocial and environmental needs, and activities of daily living, including: the risk for pathological grief, cultural and spiritual implications, and verbal and non-verbal communication patterns.
• Assists in developing, implementing, evaluating and updating the individualized plan of care; recommends revisions to the plan, as needed, based on acuity and patient/family/caregiver needs.
• Works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to prioritize and provide patient and family oriented hospice services.
• Communicates with the Physician, Social Worker and Spiritual Care Advisor to provide assessment information after the initial visit and with the clinical manager or designee to provide patient/family information, including unusual or potentially problematic issues, as needed.
• Provides end-of-life care including comfort care and symptom management according to NorthStar Care Community indicators. Provides support, follow up and education, and documents end-of-life comfort care and symptom management.
• Provides initial and ongoing patient/family instruction, education and support regarding the disease process, self-care techniques, end-of-life care, and issues of ethical concerns.
• Assesses the ability of caregivers to meet patients immediate needs upon admission and throughout care. Coordinates ordering durable medical equipment and supplies.
• Participates in quality assurance processes/programs, internal/external education/training, marketing and other activities that promote the mission of the organization. Using current processes and technology available, communicates complete and accurate information to attending physician(s), other team disciplines and other departments in a timely manner.
• Supervises, instructs and evaluates Hospice Aides in providing nursing care to patients, according to regulatory guidelines. Evaluates own need for professional, psychosocial and emotional support and uses identified system(s) to meet the need. Works collaboratively, actively participates in team functions and meetings; acts as a resource for orientees, when appropriate and/or requested.
• Responds to information requested by third party payers, calls clinical report to case managers as directed. As requested, participates in the development of care delivery goals, strategic planning, and in individual, team and organizational process improvement activities and in the development of protocols and standards for hospice practice. Utilizes allocated supplies and resources appropriately to ensure business outcomes are met. Adjusts to changes in workload and schedules based on changing team priorities. Adheres to organizational policies, procedures, code of conduct and all regulatory and legal requirements. Adheres to the C.A.R.E. Model of Service: courtesy, acknowledgment, response and empathy. Works to achieve certification in Hospice nursing (CHPN) preferred.

Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing with possession of a current license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the State of Michigan.
• Minimum of one (1) to two (2) years of varied nursing experience required; hospice experience and CHPN preferred.
• Ability to use technology (hardware and software) required of clinicians in their practice.
• Must be able to read, write and speak English fluently and be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing in internal and external relationships for all essential job functions.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, effective organizational, prioritization and follow-through skills, attention to detail, tact, dependability, emotional intelligence and the ability to maintain confidentiality and promote positive, constructive relationships with communication and collaboration at all levels.
• Must be able to cope with family/caregiver emotional stress, cultural diversity and be tolerant of individual life-styles.
• The physical demands of the position include: vision, effective speech and hearing for extensive telephone contact; repetitive motion; traveling; driving or riding in motor vehicle for extended periods; standing, sitting, walking, bending, reaching, and stretching; lifting up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted and the ability to assist in lifting patients using appropriate lifting techniques and/or devices. Proof of current tuberculin testing required. Patient contact will not be allowed until tuberculin clearance is documented. Must be able to work variable hours/shifts and/or days, including weekends. Must have the ability to occasionally work extended days, as necessary. Must have reliable transportation. Must be eligible to work in the United States.