On Call Registered Nurse

Arkansas Hospice, Inc.•Pine Bluff, AR

19h

About The Position

The On-Call Registered Nurse is a member of the interdisciplinary team who provides skilled nursing interventions and supportive care in patients’ homes during weekend, evening, night, and holiday on-call shifts, in accordance with each patient’s hospice interdisciplinary plan of care. The role includes responsibility for home-based clients, assessment and coordination of care, response to patient and family needs, and accurate documentation. The position is paid on a salary basis for an 80-hour pay period and requires a rotating schedule of 7 out of 14 days in a pay period. The nurse must be available by pager or cell phone throughout on-call shifts and able to make patient visits as needed, regardless of current assignment. The position requires graduation from an accredited nursing school, an Arkansas RN license, at least two years of nursing experience including at least one year in hospice or home health, and a valid Arkansas driver’s license, car, and car insurance. A BSN is preferred. This is designated as a safety-sensitive position, requiring sustained alertness and concentration while handling confidential information, performing life-threatening procedures, monitoring or operating medical equipment, and working with medications or controlled substances.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
Minimum of two years of nursing experience, including at least one year in hospice or home health.
Licensed as a Registered Nurse in Arkansas.
Able to work a rotating schedule of 7 out of 14 days in a pay period.
Possess a valid Arkansas driver’s license, a car, and car insurance.
Knowledge of palliative care, especially symptom control associated with terminal illness.
Knowledge of holistic patient care and the nursing process as applied to hospice patients and families.
Knowledge and acceptance of hospice philosophy and principles of care.
Ability to organize and prioritize workloads to meet deadlines.
Ability to recognize positive and negative aspects of death and grief.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including communication with coworkers and other customers.
Ability to follow basic safety policies and procedures, use good judgment, and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work as a team player and demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience, and dedication.
Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain alertness and concentration for extended periods while performing safety-sensitive duties.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Responsibilities

Assume scheduled weekend, evening, night, and holiday on-call duty in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
Provide primary nursing responsibility for home-based clients by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the nursing process.
Communicate with attending physicians and/or the Medical Director about changes in patient or family status and coordinate hospice care.
Assess physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors affecting patient and family health and incorporate relevant information into the interdisciplinary care plan.
Maintain current, accurate patient records that clearly document problems, plans, actions, goals, and changes.
Monitor patients’ physical care and instruct caregivers, volunteers, and employed caregivers in providing comfort and emotional support.
Respond to medical or emotional crises and patient deaths, making home visits to provide direct care as appropriate.
Attend deaths, provide appropriate counsel, notify appropriate officials, and, when required, pronounce death and complete and sign the death certificate.
Complete admissions and required documentation accurately and promptly in the electronic medical record as needed.
Apply hospice philosophy and follow the agency mission, policies, procedures, and applicable hospice rules and regulations.
Triage caregiver and family concerns about patient needs, pain crises, end-of-life issues, and death.
Complete daily electronic medical record documentation according to agency policy.
Remain available by pager or cell phone throughout on-call duty and respond promptly.
Be available to make patient visits at any time during work shifts, regardless of triage or runner assignment.
Accept reassignment among on-call team duties as needed to ensure patient-care coverage.
Report to the Administrator-on-Call as needed.
Participate actively in the QAPI program.
Maintain strict confidentiality.
Provide excellent customer service, seek opportunities to assist patients, families, and coworkers, and demonstrate teamwork and cooperation.
Follow supervisory direction, seek additional information when needed, and work with minimal supervision.
Follow organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
Meet attendance and punctuality standards and notify the supervisor promptly of absences or lateness.
Attend required meetings and in-services and pursue additional professional development as appropriate.