Registered Nurse

Hospice Nurse

*$3,000 Sign On Bonus!* 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 patient’s 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 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.
• Assess 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.