Hospice Registered Nurse PRN

Compassus•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse models Compassus values and promotes its philosophy, using the 6 Pillars of Success as a foundation. The nurse upholds the Code of Ethical Conduct and fosters positive working relationships within the company and with external stakeholders. As an interdisciplinary team (IDT) member, the nurse provides routine and emergency assessments, including admissions responsibilities, as well as educational and evaluative services to meet the needs of patients and families. The nurse helps patients and families maintain comfort and coping, flexes their schedule to meet agency staffing needs, and provides after-hours emergency support. On-call responsibilities are part of the role. The role includes case management and coordination of routine and emergency hospice care, collaborating with the IDT, physicians, and other care team members to address clinical and psychosocial needs and ensure continuity and quality of care. The nurse educates patients and caregivers, monitors responses to interventions, documents care, and helps prevent unwarranted hospitalizations by addressing needs in the home and responding proactively and reactively to crises. Compassus describes a culture of compassion, respect, appreciation, career growth, mentorship, professional development, innovation, recognition, and belonging. The organization offers competitive pay, flexible time off, tuition reimbursement, and wellness programs.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor's degree in Nursing.
Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in the state or states of employment.
Current CPR certification.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including calculations involving rates, ratios, and percentages.
Ability to read and interpret business and professional publications, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals; and present information and respond to questions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English.
Ability to understand and articulate the integrated healthcare-at-home philosophy.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including regular standing and walking, manual dexterity, and lifting or moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Ability to meet the visual acuity requirements of the role, including close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of nursing practice or equivalent experience.
Hospice, oncology, home health, and/or long-term care experience.

Responsibilities

Complete routine and emergency patient assessments in accordance with departmental policy.
Provide clinical and psychosocial services as indicated by the plan of care through case management.
Record observations, treatments, and other pertinent information.
Communicate with the IDT, Medical Director, and attending physician about measures to alleviate symptoms, and monitor responses to interventions.
Provide physical and emotional care to support patients and families during crises, in coordination with the psychosocial team.
Help prevent unwarranted hospitalizations by meeting patient and family needs in the home and responding proactively and reactively during crises.
Manage routine and emergency patient care.
Collaborate with the IDT on clinical and psychosocial interventions and coordinate hospice care to ensure appropriateness, continuity, and quality.
Update the plan of care for the IDT.
Communicate and document plan-of-care changes to the Hospice RN Case Manager or Hospice Director of Clinical Services.
Help identify when intervention from other IDT members is needed and communicate patient and family needs to the IDT.
Educate patients and caregivers about patient care, disease progression, the dying process, symptom control, and wound care.
Keep the physician and Medical Director informed about patient needs and condition.
Ensure documentation is available at the bedside.
Notify other IDT members of physician concerns and suggestions.
Submit required documentation and paperwork to contracted facilities after visits.
Complete and submit IDT narratives, time logs, and all required documentation by 10 a.m. the following day.
Flex schedule to meet agency staffing needs and provide after-hours emergency support, including on-call coverage.
Perform other duties as assigned.