Afterhours Registered Nurse

Heartland Hospice•Raleigh, NC

About The Position

The After Hours Registered Nurse provides direct care to hospice patients and support to their families after normal business hours on an on-call basis. The RN manages an interdisciplinary group that includes Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, and support staff, and case manages assigned patient clinical records. The role includes after-hours availability, telephone triage, clinical support, care coordination, admission-related coordination, triage follow-up, visit synchronization, and other activities that support continuity of care and operational needs. The schedule is a weekend day shift, with possible routine visits during normal business hours. The RN assures care is delivered and documented in accordance with each patient’s Plan of Care, assesses patients, and helps develop and implement care plans with the physician and interdisciplinary team. The RN educates patients, families, and caregivers about identified needs, including medication administration, dressing changes, oxygen administration, hospice philosophy, and care of terminally ill patients. The position coordinates physical, psychosocial, educational, emotional, spiritual, and bereavement support; communicates with physicians and families; and maintains accurate clinical records and quality, regulatory, and policy compliance. The role also includes supervisory visits with team members at least monthly, staff scheduling oversight, participation in quality improvement activities and staff meetings, and completion of required company training. This is a safety-sensitive position. Work takes place in patients’ homes or institutional settings and in an automobile, with potential exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials.

Requirements

Registered Nurse.
At least one year of RN experience in acute care hospital, oncology, long-term care, hospice, or home health; school internships and clinical hours may be considered in individual cases.
Current license to practice nursing in the state of employment.
Complete required onboarding, orientation, competency validation, and ongoing competency requirements for the After Hours RN role.
Current CPR certification.
Current automobile insurance and a valid driver’s license.
Have and maintain transportation for work.
Ability to effectively operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper.
Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families and an understanding of hospice and the special needs of hospice patients and families.
Knowledge of the roles of disciplines providing hospice services and of community resources.
Excellent patient assessment skills and good oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge of documentation, program management, general nursing practice, managed care principles, regulatory guidelines, and management principles.
Sensitivity to end-of-life issues and the ability to support patients and families during a crisis.
Ability to perform varied tasks flexibly without loss of efficiency or composure.
Ability to communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Workplace maturity, cooperation, flexibility, and tact in dealing with coworkers and hospice team members.

Responsibilities

Provide direct patient care to hospice patients and support to their families after normal business hours on an on-call basis.
Manage an interdisciplinary group of Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, and support staff.
Case manage assigned patient clinical records and provide after-hours telephone triage, clinical support, care coordination, admission-related coordination, triage follow-up, and visit synchronization.
Assure that the highest quality of care is provided and documented in accordance with the Plan of Care.
Perform initial and ongoing patient assessments.
Help develop and implement the Hospice Plan of Care with the physician and other members of the Interdisciplinary Group.
Educate patients, families, and caregivers about Plan of Care needs, including medication administration, dressing changes, oxygen administration, hospice philosophy, and care of terminally ill patients.
Work with the Interdisciplinary Group to coordinate physical, psychosocial, educational, emotional, spiritual, and bereavement services for patients and families.
Maintain primary professional management of each patient and act as a liaison among the physician, patient and family, and hospice team.
Report changes in patient condition to the Attending Physician and Hospice Physician.
Maintain contact with patients’ families and significant others to provide information, support, and continuity of care.
Maintain accurate and updated medical records, including interdisciplinary notes, Plans of Care, assessments, and other pertinent information.
Review and follow up on assigned clinical records to ensure quality services, standards of practice, and compliance with policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Practice infection-control measures and standard precautions.
Perform routine supervisory visits with and of all other team members at least monthly.
Monitor staff scheduling.
Maintain knowledge of pain and symptom management during the dying process.
Participate in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Program.
Attend staff meetings, complete required annual company training, and perform other assigned activities.
Promote the company’s core values consistently.

Benefits

Competitive pay
401(k) with company match
Career advancement opportunities
National and local recognition programs
Teammate Assistance Fund
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for full-time associates
Generous paid time off and seven paid holidays for full-time associates
Wellness programs, including telemedicine, diabetes management, and joint and spine concierge care, for full-time associates
Education support and tuition assistance for full-time associates
Company-paid life and long-term disability insurance for full-time associates
Voluntary benefits, including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage, for full-time associates