Registered Nurse for Hospice Services

CHSGa•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Registered Nurse provides professional nursing care to Hospice Services patients, 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 nurse manages a patient and family caseload through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation, coordinating care with physicians, the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG), other Hospice staff, and other agencies as needed. The role includes timely patient assessments and comprehensive care planning, maintaining accurate and current records, delivering nursing care focused on pain control and symptom management, and teaching and counseling patients and families. The nurse also supports patients and families through the dying process and bereavement, supervises Certified Nursing Assistant care plans, participates in IDG conferences and staff training, and shares responsibility for 24-hour, seven-day coverage. The nurse follows applicable Hospice policies and state and federal regulations and contributes to collaborative work across the System.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Currently licensed in good standing to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of 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 learning and adherence to Hospice policies and procedures.
Extensive knowledge of healthcare and long-term care organizations and their structure.
Ability to communicate and present information clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
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.
Experience in Home Care or Hospice.

Responsibilities

Manage a Hospice Services patient and family caseload through the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of the nursing process.
Coordinate care and use of resources by communicating with attending physicians, Hospice staff, and other Hospice agencies as needed.
Complete the initial patient assessment within 48 hours of the admission order and collaborate on the comprehensive assessment within five calendar days of the patient's election for Hospice Care.
Communicate regularly with the Patient Care Manager and attending physician about the patient and family caseload.
Gather information about physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors affecting patient and family health, and incorporate it into the plan of care.
Maintain accurate, current patient records that clearly document problems, plans, actions, goals, and changes.
Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Group to develop a comprehensive plan 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 a focus 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 regularly with Hospice nursing staff to review caseload issues, provide professional support, and exchange feedback for professional growth.
Participate in IDG conferences and facilitate discussion of caseload issues for staff consultation and evaluation.
Supervise the Hospice Services Certified Nursing Assistant plan of care every 14 days and document the supervision; observe care onsite if 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 primary nurses' patients and families during on-call periods or when requested by the Director of Hospice Services.
Share in providing 24-hour, seven-day-a-week 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 programs.
Participate in Hospice Services and community programs as requested to promote professional growth and understanding of Hospice care.
Follow Hospice policies and applicable state and federal rules and regulations governing hospice care, and support policies concerning 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 System efforts.
Perform other duties as necessary to ensure the success of the System.