Registered Nurse for Hospice Services

CHSGa•Newnan, GA

About The Position

The Registered Nurse provides professional nursing care to Hospice Services patients and identifies patient and family needs, providing supportive care in accordance with attending physician orders, the plan of care, and Hospice Services policies and procedures. The nurse manages a patient/family caseload through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation; coordinates care with physicians, interdisciplinary staff, and other hospice agencies; and maintains accurate, timely patient records. The role includes assessing patients within 48 hours of an admission order and collaborating on the comprehensive assessment within five calendar days of hospice election. The nurse develops and updates plans of care with the Interdisciplinary Group, provides nursing care focused on pain control and symptom management, and teaches, supervises, and counsels patients and families. The nurse also provides support at the time of death and during bereavement, participates in staff training and interdisciplinary conferences, supervises Certified Nursing Assistant plans of care, and shares in 24-hour, seven-day coverage for hospice patients and families.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing.
Currently licensed in good standing 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 certification.
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 function 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 structures.
Ability to communicate and present information clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, department heads, administrators, member organization leaders, and the public.

Nice To Haves

More than one year of RN experience is preferred.
Experience in Home Care or Hospice is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage a Hospice Services patient/family caseload through the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of the nursing process.
Coordinate care and resource use by communicating with attending physicians, Hospice staff, and other hospice agencies as needed.
Assess patients within 48 hours of an admission order and collaborate toward completion of the comprehensive assessment within five calendar days of hospice election.
Communicate regularly with the Patient Care Manager and attending physicians regarding the patient/family caseload.
Gather physical, psychological, social, and spiritual information affecting patient and family health status and incorporate it into the plan of care.
Maintain current, accurate patient records that clearly reflect problems, plans, actions, goals, and changes.
Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Group to develop comprehensive plans of care and goals within two days of the start of care and update them as needed.
Provide nursing care based on systematic assessment, with emphasis on pain control and symptom management.
Teach, supervise, and counsel patients and families about physical care and issues related to the patient's terminal condition.
Guide patients and families in preparing for and coping with anticipated physical and psychological events during the dying process.
Document observations, interventions, evaluations, and services on the day they are provided, and submit documentation in a timely manner.
Meet with Hospice nursing staff to review caseload issues, share support, and exchange feedback for professional growth.
Participate in Interdisciplinary Group conferences and facilitate discussion of caseload issues.
Supervise and document the Certified Nursing Assistant plan of care every 14 days; observe care onsite when concerns arise and report ongoing concerns to the Director of Hospice Services.
Inform the Director of Hospice Services of unusual or potentially problematic patient/family issues.
Cover for other primary nurses during on-call time or when requested by the Director of Hospice Services.
Share in providing 24-hour, seven-day coverage to Hospice Services patients and families.
Provide appropriate support at the time of death and during bereavement.
Participate in Hospice Services orientation and staff in-service training.
Participate in Hospice Services and community programs as requested.
Follow hospice policies and applicable state and federal regulations governing hospice care, 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 collaborative efforts.
Perform other duties as needed to ensure the success of the System.