Inpatient Registered Nurse

Hospice of Lake Cumberland•Somerset, KY

About The Position

As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the Inpatient Registered Nurse assumes primary responsibility for the care of a patient and family caseload. The nurse assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care, serving as case manager and providing direct patient care to maintain the highest possible comfort and quality of life. The role includes work in hospice and homecare settings, coordination with patients, families, physicians, hospice staff, other agencies, and the interdisciplinary team, and participation in on-call coverage providing care twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The nurse must be able to access patients’ homes independently and must have no lifting restrictions; light duty is not available for nurses. The position is supervised by the Director of Clinical Services.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
Current Kentucky nursing license.
Minimum of one year of experience in an acute setting.
Ability to access patients’ homes independently.
No lifting restrictions; lifting is a vital function of the role, and light duty is not available for nurses.

Nice To Haves

Two years of varied work experience as a professional nurse preferred.

Responsibilities

Assume the role of case manager and provide direct patient care to maintain the highest level of comfort and quality of life.
Work within the standards of the Nurse Practice Act.
Explain the philosophy, purpose, scope, and role of Hospice to patients and families.
Complete initial assessments of patients and home care needs.
Prepare and implement treatment plans for patients and families in collaboration with them and other interdisciplinary team members.
Order needed medications, supplies, and equipment.
Instruct caregivers in the proper use of medications, supplies, and equipment, and in basic skills for caring for patients at home.
Visit assigned patients at least weekly; assess pain and physical and emotional conditions; and implement symptom-management interventions as indicated.
Provide a safe patient care environment, including drug and sharps disposal and use of universal precautions.
Provide direct patient care as required, following Hospice policies and procedures.
Continually evaluate care provided by caregivers and the interdisciplinary team.
Document observation of Home Health Aide care delivery every two weeks.
Maintain current patient records that accurately reflect problems, actions, goals, and changes.
Provide appropriate support at the time of death.
Serve as a liaison between patients and families, other care providers, and interdisciplinary team members.
Obtain and record physician orders for medications and treatments, and communicate them to other staff as appropriate.
Initiate communication with physicians, hospice staff, and other agencies to coordinate patient and family care and use of resources.
Maintain ongoing communication with the attending physician about patient and family care needs and responses to interventions.
Participate as an interdisciplinary team member in meeting the needs of the total patient population.
Attend weekly interdisciplinary team meetings and facilitate discussion of caseload issues for staff discussion, consultation, and evaluation.
Participate in the on-call schedule to provide twenty-four-hour, seven-day-a-week coverage.
May provide bereavement support by attending funeral or visitation services.
Cooperate in other organizational requirements and activities that contribute to Hospice’s overall success.
Communicate work schedule information and time-off needs to the Director of Clinical Services.
Participate in Hospice of Lake Cumberland orientation and in-service training programs for professional and volunteer staff.
Participate in community programs as requested to promote understanding of Hospice.
Participate in organizational committees and special projects as assigned.
Demonstrate familiarity with Hospice policies and State and Federal regulations governing Hospice care.