Registered Nurse; RN-Hospice Outpatient Blount , Hospice

Job Summary

Utilizes the nursing process to provide hospice and palliative care to the terminally ill patient, regardless of age, and supportive care to the patient's family. Adheres to all compliance and policy and procedure requirements of the organization, including licensure renewal, assigned training, employee health screenings, time and attendance policy, dress code policy, patient confidentiality, infection control, and medication administration. Demonstrates knowledge of regulatory agency requirements (The Joint Commission, DHEC) and provides care within the scope of the SC Nursing Practice Act.

• Assess patient physiological, psychosocial, developmental, environmental needs, and the families’ need for supportive care; and based upon that assessment will offer input into the interdisciplinary Plan of Care.
• Perform a physical assessment based on the patient’s age and developmental level.
• Perform a thorough pain and other symptom assessment and utilize the symptom management medical authorization guidelines to guide care plan and interventions.
• Consider the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the patient/family when assessing client’s needs.
• Document assessment appropriately in the medical record in a clear and concise manner.
• Provide accurate assessment to physician in a timely manner.
• Develop a nursing plan of care and a CNA plan of care, as needed, that are individualized, seeking input from the patient and family.
• Monitor and update the nursing and CNA plans of care based on changing patient status and family needs.
• Monitor patient/family need for additional services and refer appropriately to other hospice team members.
• Assess for and provide education to patient/family using verbal and written information.
• Develop a plan of care for the time of death that meets the express wishes of the patient/family.
• Competently perform appropriate nursing interventions with thorough and timely documentation in patient’s chart.
• Demonstrate clinical competency and knowledge regarding the agency’s clinical procedures.
• Report assessment findings and changes in patient’s condition to physician, resulting in successful management of patient’s symptoms and making recommendation based upon sound nursing judgement.
• Utilize standing orders and medical authorization guidelines to appropriately guide practice.
• Recognize the family decision‑making role and patient’s right to self‑determination.
• Demonstrate time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Utilize appropriately the other members of the interdisciplinary team both as resources and as consultants.
• Oversee the CNA’s performance of the interventions in Plan of Care according to requirements 100% of the time.
• Documentation reflects timeliness, completeness, clarity and accuracy; all documentation is complete by the workday.
• Demonstrate safe and effective nursing care, as defined by facility’s policies and procedures.
• Initiate bereavement follow‑up with patient’s family, supporting the bereavement POC.
• Attend funeral, visitations or memorial services whenever possible.
• Attend scheduled bereavement program events, supporting those families served.
• Participate in review of quality data and make recommendations for improvement.
• Perform admission, evaluation visits and consultative services as requested.
• Work on various projects and committees as requested.
• Educate the public regarding end‑of‑life issues.
• Assist with the orientation and training of students/new employees/volunteers.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of specific interventions and the resulting movement toward goals.
• Evaluate patient’s response to any treatment and/or medication administered.
• Evaluate patient’s disease progression and family’s response to change.
• Evaluate patient’s progress toward goals and achieved outcomes.
• Evaluate patient/family response to teaching.
• Evaluate family caregiver’s potential and current ability to cope with the physical and emotional demands of their role in patient’s care.
• Evaluate need for team conference or consultation.
• Provide consultation and discussion of the case at IDG Care Meeting.
• Evaluate cultural needs and/or…