Hospice Nurse RN

MyMichigan Health•Midland, MI

About The Position

The Staff Registered Nurse provides professional, comprehensive nursing care within the scope of agency services to patients requiring hospice care. The role uses the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation in accordance with nursing practice standards, physician orders, and agency policies and procedures. The nurse floats throughout the service area and provides symptom management for discomfort related to end-of-life care. The nurse regularly evaluates patient needs and caregiver abilities, coordinates care with the interdisciplinary team, initiates and revises care plans, and provides or arranges nursing services based on patient acuity and level of care. The position may coordinate care provided by a Licensed Practical Nurse and Home Health Aide, communicate changes in condition to physicians, and use community resources to support patient care. The nurse also documents services and maintains records, provides education to patients, caregivers, and colleagues, participates in agency activities and performance improvement, and completes assigned on-call, weekend, and holiday rotations.

Requirements

Associate degree in nursing.
Registered Nurse credential with Michigan qualification.
Basic Life Support certification from AHA within one month of hire or transfer.
Current and valid driver's license and vehicle insurance, with access to reliable transportation.
Strong critical-thinking skills and ability to function as part of a team.
Successful completion of agency orientation and competency programs.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and speak English.
Ability to recognize people's needs and concerns and maintain constructive interpersonal relationships.
Ability to work independently and demonstrate problem-solving and organizational skills.
Ability to drive under hazardous road conditions.
Ability to work in unpredictable home situations where exposure to communicable diseases may occur.
Ability to perform essential job functions with reasonable accommodation.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment, including latex materials or an appropriate substitute if required.
Ability to move freely about a facility with or without an assistive device and perform the functions of the job.
Vision and hearing sufficient to perform the role, with or without assistive devices.
Ability to sit, stand, and walk for long periods and frequently change posture, including stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
Ability to follow bloodborne pathogen and TB testing requirements.
Ability to handle multiple tasks, work independently and with others, maintain regular and predictable attendance, and stay awake.
Dexterity for handling, reaching, grasping, fingering, and feeling, potentially repetitively.
Ability to meet the medium physical demand level, including occasional lifting or carrying of 21–50 pounds, frequent handling of 20 pounds and/or walking, standing, pushing, or pulling, and constant handling of 10 pounds.
Ability to participate in weekend and holiday rotations and on-call duties.

Nice To Haves

One year of direct patient-care nursing experience; medical/surgical experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Understand hospice admission and recertification criteria and respond appropriately to patient conditions related to those criteria.
Assess patient needs at admission, including physical, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and environmental needs.
Regularly assess patient needs and caregiver abilities and communicate with team members to support patient and caregiver care.
Initiate and revise plans of care for assigned patients as needed.
Provide symptom management for discomfort related to end-of-life care.
Provide or arrange ongoing nursing visits based on patient acuity and level of care needed.
Coordinate patient care by evaluating outcomes, giving feedback to care team members, updating care plans, and making referrals as needed.
Coordinate care provided by an LPN and Home Health Aide when applicable.
Implement preventative and rehabilitative nursing procedures and use community resources to support patient care.
Notify physicians of changes in patient condition or care needs and obtain new orders as needed.
Document services and assist with maintaining patient records according to agency, professional, and program standards.
Provide patients, caregivers, and physicians with information about disease processes, end-of-life care, and ethical concerns.
Participate in the clinical team and coordinate care and priorities across disciplines.
Precept students and participate in orientation of new staff as assigned.
Participate in agency, community, and home health or hospice education and activities as assigned.
Attend staff meetings, in-service education, and other learning opportunities.
Maintain awareness of personal support needs and take appropriate actions to protect personal health and safety.
Comply with documentation requirements for personnel and activity records.
Follow agency policies and procedures and meet standards for timeliness, accuracy, and productivity.
Maintain confidentiality of client and agency information and adhere to agency standards for personal appearance and behavior.
Participate in weekend and holiday rotations and on-call duties.
Participate in the agency performance improvement process and assist with community education activities as requested.
Perform other duties as assigned.