Registered Nurse (RN)-Inpatient Hospice, PRN, Variable

Prisma Health•Seneca, SC

About The Position

Utilizes the nursing process to provide hospice and palliative care to terminally ill patients of any age and supportive care to their families in the Hospice House. Follows organizational compliance requirements and policies, including licensure renewal, assigned training, employee health screenings, time and attendance, dress code, confidentiality, infection control, and medication administration. Demonstrates knowledge of regulatory requirements, including The Joint Commission and DHEC, and provides care within the scope of the South Carolina Nursing Practice Act. Assesses patients and families, develops and updates individualized plans of care, provides education and nursing interventions, coordinates care with the hospice team and outside organizations, and documents clinical care. Supports patients’ and families’ wishes, including planning for the time of death and providing bereavement support. The role also includes admission and evaluation visits, consultative services, public education on end-of-life issues, and assistance with orienting and training students, new employees, and volunteers.

Requirements

Associate degree in Nursing.
Current RN compact/multistate license recognized by the NCSBN Compact State, or a license to practice as an RN in the state where the team member works.
No experience required.

Nice To Haves

Two years of acute care nursing experience preferred.
Experience in hospice or other home care services preferred.
BSN preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ physiological, psychosocial, developmental, and environmental needs, as well as families’ need for supportive care; assess pain and other symptoms and document findings.
Provide assessment information to physicians and contribute to the interdisciplinary Plan of Care.
Develop individualized nursing and CNA plans of care with input from patients and families, and monitor and update those plans as needs or patient status change.
Educate patients and families, assess their need for additional services, and make referrals to hospice team members.
Develop a plan of care for the time of death that reflects the patient’s and family’s expressed wishes.
Perform appropriate nursing interventions, use standing orders and medical authorization guidelines, and document care thoroughly and promptly.
Report assessment findings and changes in condition to physicians and make recommendations.
Recognize the family’s decision-making role and the patient’s right to self-determination.
Oversee CNA performance of the Plan of Care.
Evaluate intervention effectiveness and progress toward goals, including patient and family responses, disease progression, teaching outcomes, coping ability, and cultural or developmental needs.
Support families through bereavement follow-up, the bereavement Plan of Care, and participation in funeral, visitation, memorial, or bereavement program events whenever possible.
Coordinate continuity of care and exchange information accurately and promptly with team members, agencies, physicians, and others; attend and participate in team meetings and related activities.
Communicate with pharmacies, durable medical equipment vendors, material management, and insurance companies to help control agency costs.
Document clinical findings, interventions, physician orders, Plan of Care changes, calls, team conferences, and referrals.
Initiate the Plan of Care at the time of death, notify appropriate persons and agencies, and complete discharge paperwork.
Perform admission and evaluation visits and consultative services as requested.
Work on projects and committees as requested.
Educate the public about end-of-life issues.
Assist with orientation and training of students, new employees, and volunteers.
Perform other duties as assigned.