Palliative Care Nurse - No Hospital Medicine Program

Position: PALLIATIVE CARE NURSE - NO HOSPITAL MEDICINE PROGRAM
Status: PRN - As Needed

Shift: To be determined based on needs / census. (8a-5p)

Exempt:
No

Summary:

The Palliative Care RN functions as the system facilitator responsible for the daily operational aspects of the Palliative Care Program. This RN utilizes the nursing process based on an expanded knowledge base of pathophysiology and pharmacology to assist with comprehensive health assessments, diagnosis, treatments, and management of acute and chronic health conditions. This person provides coordination and planning, organization, communication, and evaluation of all activities of the Palliative Care Program.

This person proactively identifies patients who are appropriate for palliative care and hospice services; assesses all palliative care and hospice referrals based on family patient/family goals to determine appropriate level and type of care for inpatient care or hospice services; provides information to patients/families regarding the palliative care/hospice benefit and ensures continuity of care between settings, physicians, & care team members;

participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team; monitors and reports outcomes, assesses/identifies barriers to palliative care and hospice services and works with interdisciplinary team members to address barriers; provides education to physicians, inpatient staff and the community on palliative care, hospice services and end of life care.

Other information:

1. Experience, Knowledge and Skill

1. Previous Experience

Required:

Minimum of 3 years nursing experience; clinical nursing care in acute hospital environment, oncology and/or hospice preferred. Palliative Care Certification Required or actively pursuing with an expected completion within 18 months of hire.

2. Specialized or Technical

Education Required:

The Palliative Care RN will be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and be currently licensed to practice nursing in Louisiana. Experience as a professional nurse in which clinical competence and supervisory competence has been demonstrated is required.

3. Manual or Physical Skill

Required:

4. Physical Effort

Required:

Strength:
Light Push:
Occasionally Pull:
Occasionally

Carry:
Occasionally Lift:
Occasionally Sit:
Occasionally

Stand:
Frequently Walk:
Frequently

Responsibilities:

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

1. Actively practices to deliver palliative and end of life care to patients in collaboration with the medical staff and other palliative care team members.

A. Perform bedside palliative care patient/family evaluation through the collection of information from all data sources, and formulates a holistic plan of care for the patient and family.

B. Proactively identifies appropriate palliative and hospice referrals within the hospital setting, assesses all palliative and hospice referrals based on the patient/family goals to determine which service and setting is most appropriate.

C. Provides recommendations and support for treatment and management of acute and

chronic health conditions.

D. Works in collaboration with the attending physician and clinical staff to manage patient

symptoms and provides education to physicians, inpatient staff, patient caregivers, and the community on palliative care and hospice services, pain and symptom management, and end of life care.

E. Consult with palliative care physician champion or designees as needed for services

provided.

F. Monitor the client's progress, provide for continuity in interventions over time and through systems, and modify care plan as needed.

G. Work with families to help them gain the knowledge they need in preparation for the possible worsening or death of their family member.

H. Documents care provided appropriately and timely in the medical record. Documents all patient/family encounters.

2. Facilitates all facets of care coordination for palliative care and hospice referrals.

A. Tracks patients with chronic issues, poor symptom control, frequent hospitalizations and prior palliative care referrals to initiate program services as appropriate in collaboration with the attending physician.

B. Works in collaboration with Case Management to facilitate referrals to alternate levels of care as appropriate.

C. Works in collaboration with Hospice services to provide information and transition patients into the service efficiently.

D. Work with patients and families to determine their understanding of the patient's condition and treatment options.

E. Implement patient and family education in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.

3. Plan, direct, and provide in-service education for medical staff and clinical staff members.

A. Instruct medical staff and clinical personnel in palliative and end of life care program techniques and procedures.

B. Identify educational needs of staff to facilitate appropriate level of support for palliative and end of life patients, and early referrals into programs.

C. Maintains and enhances current level of knowledge relative to professional practice.

D. Disseminates recent innovations and…