Hospice Registered Nurse - Monroe County

St. Luke’s University Health Network•Stroudsburg, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse renders professional nursing services to assigned patients and families. The nurse assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates nursing care in accordance with the Team's Plan of Care and the agency's written programs and policies, with attention to each patient's special needs. The role is primarily based in Monroe County, with a schedule primarily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and some on-call and weekend work. The nurse carries primary responsibility for comprehensive nursing care, health teaching, guidance, and supervision for patients and families, considering psychosocial, environmental, spiritual, and financial needs. The role also contributes to interdisciplinary care planning, bereavement services, agency development, staff orientation and education, and effective, safe use of resources. Work takes place in an office and patient homes and includes travel to clinics or for office errands.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing.
Current, active license to practice nursing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Two years of experience as a professional nurse in nursing practice, or previous experience as a professional nurse in community health and/or hospice care.
Comprehensive knowledge of professional nursing theory and ability to apply it in a community health setting.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with patients, families, physicians, and related persons.
Ability to instruct nonprofessionals in care and treatment of people who are physically or emotionally ill.
Ability to prepare neat, timely, accurate, and concise records and reports.
Ability to accept and use supervision.
Ability to exercise tact, initiative, and good judgment when dealing with people.
Knowledge of community resources and interest in keeping abreast of nursing practice trends and developments.
Knowledge of hospice care principles and ability to apply them.
Knowledge of social service and counseling principles, especially as they relate to death and dying.
Good physical and mental health.
Ability to meet the stated heavy-work physical demands, including lifting and carrying, standing and walking, and frequent bending, stooping, crouching, and grasping.
Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to provide comprehensive nursing care, and finger and hand dexterity to handle delicate instruments and other equipment.
Ability to travel to clinics and/or office errands and work in patient homes and office environments, including exposure to extreme weather conditions, contagious disease, road and driving hazards, and domestic pets.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Responsibilities

Determine eligibility for admission, obtain financial and statistical data, and formulate an initial care plan based on the patient's condition.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to plan appropriate care and develop, implement, and evaluate bereavement plans for families and significant others.
Communicate with the patient's physician and/or hospice Medical Director orally and in writing as required by the patient's condition and agency policy.
Cooperate with the Volunteer Coordinator and provide counsel, advice, and training to hospice volunteers working with patients and families.
Keep informed of changes and trends affecting hospice care and professional nursing functions.
Participate in the bereavement program and supervise volunteers providing bereavement care.
Provide comprehensive nursing care, health teaching, guidance, and supervision to patients and families, considering psychosocial, environmental, spiritual, and financial needs.
Supervise patient care provided by LPNs and/or HHAs.
Maintain patient clinical records, reports, and written communications according to agency policy; ensure documentation is timely, accurate, and clear, and reflects care goals, plans, and relevant contacts with physicians and other agencies.
Contribute to agency development and operation by informing administration about changing community needs and resource gaps; orienting and guiding new staff; interpreting agency services to families and community groups; evaluating programs and personal services; contributing to staff development; and participating in in-service and group teaching as assigned.
Maintain confidentiality of materials handled within the Network/entity and ensure information is released appropriately.
Follow Network and departmental policies regarding employee, patient, and environmental safety, reporting, attendance, and dress code.
Demonstrate the Network's Service Excellence Standards of Performance and contribute to performance improvement in clinical care and outcomes, customer service, operations, processes, and safety.
Use resources effectively and efficiently and demonstrate financial responsibility and accountability.
Demonstrate age-appropriate competency in assessment, treatment, knowledge of growth and development, and communication.