Registered Nurse; RN

The Registered Nurse, RN, is a member of the interdisciplinary team who work together to meet the physical, medical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs of hospice patients and families facing terminal illness and bereavement. The Registered Nurse, RN, is designated to provide coordination of care, ensure continuous assessment of each patient’s and family’s needs and implementation of the interdisciplinary plan of care.

Primary Function

The Registered Nurse, RN, is a member of the interdisciplinary team who work together to meet the physical, medical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs of hospice patients and families facing terminal illness and bereavement. The Registered Nurse, RN, is designated to provide coordination of care, ensure continuous assessment of each patient’s and family’s needs and implementation of the interdisciplinary plan of care.

Job Responsibilities

• Case Management and Supervision for Registered Nurse, RN
• Registered Nurse, RN, follows VITAS policies and standards and practices within the scope of the RN license and has knowledge of hospice eligibility requirements
• Registered Nurse, RN, reports any request to practice outside of scope of license to the manager/supervisor
• Registered Nurse, RN, performs supervision of nursing tasks delegated to Hospice Aides, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses and Volunteers per the plan of care
• Registered Nurse, RN, completes initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments including physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement in order to provide palliation of end-of-life symptoms
• Registered Nurse, RN, appropriately identifies/utilizes resources, referrals such as PT, OT, Home Health, Dietary, Pharmacy, Supplies, Home Medical Equipment, and other visits/consults
• Registered Nurse, RN, completes documentation at the time of the event and at the location of care unless otherwise directed
• Registered Nurse, RN, provides education and training to patients, families, caregivers and referral sources in the care of the patient, including pain management
• Registered Nurse, RN, participates in patient care meetings as assigned
• Registered Nurse, RN, participates in weekly team meetings
• Registered Nurse, RN, provides effective communication/shift reports through written, verbal, reporting and body language
• Registered Nurse, RN, participates in bereavement support
• Registered Nurse, RN, participates in the on-call rotation and/or provides shifts during non-business hours such as evenings, weekends and holidays based upon program-identified needs
• Registered Nurse, RN, provides visits/shifts in program coverage area
• Registered Nurse, RN, works with IDG to develop, coordinate, and follow the patient’s individualized plan of care
• Registered Nurse, RN, obtains physician orders when necessary
• Registered Nurse, RN, provides those services requiring substantial and specialized nursing skill
• Registered Nurse, RN, evaluates the outcome of services
• Registered Nurse, RN, appropriately delegates nursing tasks to Hospice Aides/Homemakers, Volunteers, and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses
• Connecticut:
  For activities other than those listed in section 19-13D69(d)(3) of the Connecticut Department of Public Health delegated to a Hospice/Homemaker, the RN will document in the clinical record that all factors pertinent to the patient’s safety, including the competence of the Hospice Aide/Homemaker have been assessed and determination that this activity can be delegated safely to a Hospice Aide/Homemaker

Job Requirements

• Registered Nurse, RN, has reliable transportation with adequate insurance coverage for driver and passengers
• Registered Nurse, RN, has telephone available

Essential Functions/Physical Demands

The physical demands for the Registered Nurse, RN described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Assist in lifting and transferring patients, as required
• Lift objects in excess of 20 pounds
• Stand or walk in excess of one hour per day
• Talk and hear

Specific…