Registered Nurse For Hospice Services

CHSGa•Augusta, GA

About The Position

Affinis Hospice is seeking a Registered Nurse to provide professional nursing care to Hospice Services patients. The nurse identifies patient and family needs and provides supportive care in accordance with attending physician orders, the plan of care, and Hospice Services policies and procedures. The role involves managing a patient/family caseload, coordinating with physicians and the interdisciplinary team, and providing care focused on pain control and symptom management. The nurse also educates, supervises, and counsels patients and families, supports them through the dying process and bereavement, and maintains accurate, timely patient records. The position shares in providing 24-hour, seven-day coverage and may provide associate-nurse coverage for other nurses’ patients. The nurse works with minimal direct supervision and supports Hospice Services and System policies, training, and collaborative initiatives.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Current, good-standing license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in Georgia.
At least six months of RN experience in an acute care setting before a home care assignment, or experience as required by state regulations.
Current CPR.
Ability to meet Hospice employment conditions regarding health clearance and professional references.
Ability to assess and respond to patient and family needs in varied settings and cope with emotional stress.
Ability to work with minimal direct supervision and maintain professional relationships with patients and families.
Responsibility for maintaining clinical practice skills and ongoing adherence to Hospice policies and procedures.
Extensive knowledge of healthcare and long-term care organizations and their structure.
Effective oral and written communication and presentation skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, department heads, administrators, member organization presidents and leadership teams, and the general public.

Nice To Haves

More than one year of RN experience.
Home Care or Hospice experience.

Responsibilities

Manage a Hospice Services patient/family caseload through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care.
Coordinate care and resource use by communicating with attending physicians, Hospice staff, other agencies, and interdisciplinary group members.
Complete an initial patient assessment within 48 hours of the admission order and collaborate on the comprehensive assessment within five calendar days of hospice election.
Communicate regularly with the Patient Care Manager and attending physician about the caseload.
Assess physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors affecting patient and family health, and incorporate findings into the plan of care.
Maintain current, accurate patient records that clearly document problems, plans, actions, goals, and changes.
Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Group to develop a comprehensive care plan and goals within two days of the start of care and update them as needed.
Provide nursing care based on systematic assessment, with a focus on pain control and symptom management.
Teach, supervise, and counsel patients and families about physical care and issues related to the terminal condition.
Help patients and families prepare for and cope with anticipated physical and psychological events during the dying process.
Document observations, interventions, and evaluations on the day services are rendered, and submit documentation promptly.
Meet with Hospice nursing staff to review caseload issues, provide professional support, and exchange feedback.
Participate in IDG conferences and facilitate discussion of caseload issues for consultation and evaluation.
Supervise the Hospice Services Certified Nursing Assistant plan of care every 14 days and document the supervision; observe care onsite when concerns arise and report ongoing concerns to the Director of Hospice Services.
Inform the Director of Hospice Services about unusual or potentially problematic patient and family issues.
Provide associate-nurse coverage for other nurses’ patients during on-call periods or when requested by the Director of Hospice Services.
Share in providing 24-hour, seven-day coverage to Hospice Services patients and families.
Provide support at the time of death and during bereavement.
Participate in Hospice Services orientation, staff in-service training, and requested Hospice and community programs.
Maintain familiarity with Hospice policies and applicable state and federal rules and regulations, and support policies regarding patient and family care.
Promote the System’s image and reputation through servant leadership and direct, open communication.
Contribute to committees, workgroups, project management, and other System collaborative efforts.
Perform other duties necessary to ensure the success of the System.