Registered Nurse (RN) Job Description
1. Complete an initial, comprehensive and ongoing assessments of patient and family to determine hospice needs. Provide a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).
2. Provide professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process.
3. Assess and evaluates patient’s status by:
A. Write and initiate plan of care
B. Regularly re-evaluate patient and family/caregiver needs
C. Participate in revising the plan of care as necessary
4. Use health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.
5. Develop a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions. Include the patient and the family in the planning process.
6. Initiate appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care.
7. Counsel the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.
8. Provide health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan.
9. Assist the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care.
10. Act as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Supervisor and assume responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.
Communication
1. Complete, maintain and submit accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given. Record pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.
2. Communicate with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtain/receive physicians’ orders as required.
3. Communicate with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.
4. Teach the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provide medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers. Work in concert with the interdisciplinary group.
5. Provide and maintain a safe environment for the patient.
6. Assist the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.
7. Work in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice Interdisciplinary Group Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.
Additional Duties
1. Participate in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy.
2. Ensure that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services
are available.
3. Supervise ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.
4. Assume responsibility for personal growth and development and maintain and upgrade professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-service classes.
5. Fulfill the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.
6. Actively participate in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
1. Registered nurse with current licensure to practice professional nursing in the state.
2. Maintains a current CPR certification.
3. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state or organization requirements and is in good working order.
4. Experience in the area of public health, home care, or hospice nursing is preferred.
5. Self directed and able to work with minimal supervision.
6. Management experience not required. Responsible for supervising hospice aides.
7. Demonstrates excellent observation, problem solving, verbal and written communications; nursing skills per competency checklist.
8. Shows ability to organize and prioritize workload independently.