Nurse, Variable Staff - Per Diem

Hospice of Santa Cruz County•Santa Cruz, CA

About The Position

The Variable Staffing Nurse (VSN) is a member of the Variable Staffing Team and provides after-hours staffing coverage, including weekend day coverage, evening and night shifts, and holiday and PTO coverage for Case Managers, Visit Support Nurses, and Admission Nurses as needed. The VSN supports hospice patients and families after hours, responding to calls and determining whether to provide telephone instruction and support, telehealth, or an in-person visit. Care is guided by the individualized Plan of Care developed by the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and reflects patient and family goals related to safe and comfortable dying, self-determined life closure, and effective bereavement. The role requires sensitivity and compassion, clinical competence in pain and symptom management, and fiscal responsibility in planning and delivering services. The VSN also provides direct supervision for Hospice Aides. The nurse collaborates with Triage, Patient Care Managers, the Scheduling Coordinator, facility staff, physicians, and other IDT members. Responsibilities include assessing patient status, providing nursing interventions and education, managing medications and supplies, documenting care, and developing and revising Plans of Care. The VSN also participates in IDT and quality improvement activities and follows applicable agency, licensing, privacy, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Current California RN license.
Valid state driver's license and liability auto insurance.
Available to work four weekend days, nights, or evenings per month and alternate Christmas/Christmas Eve and Thanksgiving annually.
Attend regular meetings and in-services.
Degree in Nursing from an accredited college.
Two to five years of RN experience in hospice, oncology, medical-surgical nursing, ICU, ER, skilled nursing facilities, or home care.
Current BLS certification.
Pass OIG/GSA review and all required background checks.
Critical thinking skills and ability to work independently and as a member of the Variable Staffing Team after hours.
Familiarity with electronic charting programs or keyboard and computer skills sufficient to use electronic medical record charting.
Submit proof of auto insurance annually, keep driver's license current, and maintain a good driving record.
Complete TB checks in a timely manner, at least annually.

Nice To Haves

Acute care experience.
Hospice and/or home health experience.
End-of-life and pain management experience.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
Previous experience working with end of life.

Responsibilities

Provide after-hours, weekend, evening, night, holiday, PTO, and other coverage for hospice patients, families, staff, and facility partners.
Respond to patient and family calls; assess patient status by telephone and determine whether to provide telephone support, telehealth, or an in-person visit in accordance with agency policy.
Provide nursing care and interventions as ordered and in accordance with the Plan of Care, safe nursing practice, and agency policies and procedures.
Assess and manage pain and symptoms in collaboration with patients, families, facility staff, the IDT, and physicians to promote maximum comfort.
Administer ordered medications and treatments, and obtain medications, medical supplies, and equipment as needed and authorized.
Support and educate patients, families, caregivers, and facility staff on symptom management, patient care, disease processes, and death and dying.
Offer or make visits in accordance with agency policy, including a home visit at the time of death when appropriate.
Assess and promote caregiver confidence through telephone teaching, onsite visits, or telehealth visits.
Create, open, close, and revise individualized Plans of Care based on patient and family needs and goals, including physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs.
Document care, planning, contacts, instructions, and interventions in the electronic medical record in accordance with agency requirements; submit paperwork and time logs within required time frames.
Follow pharmacy policies and procedures, including disposing of or instructing on the disposal of Schedule II medications at the time of death.
Work cooperatively with Variable Staffing Team members and use available after-hours resources, including Social Workers, Spiritual Care Counselors, Hospice Aides, and the Administrator On Call.
Provide direct supervision for Hospice Aides.
Participate in IDT communication, care planning, problem solving, education, and meetings as appropriate.
Complete required documentation and employment-related verification, including current RN license, auto insurance, driver's license, and TB checks.
Participate in quality assessment and improvement activities, quality standard development, and special projects as requested.
Follow HIPAA privacy and security regulations, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and other regulatory and compliance requirements.
Perform other related duties assigned by the Supervisor.