RN Hospice Overnight

Dunes Hospice•Valparaiso, IN

About The Position

The registered nurse plans, organizes, and directs hospice care, drawing on nursing experience and community health education or experience. The nurse uses community resources to plan and direct services for individuals and families in their homes and community-based settings. The schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. The role includes assessing patients and families, planning and providing professional nursing care, administering prescribed medications and treatments, supporting comfort and self-sufficiency, and coordinating care with physicians, caregivers, and the hospice interdisciplinary group. The nurse documents care and patient outcomes, provides education and counseling, helps maintain a safe care environment, and participates in on-call duties, quality improvement, and continuing education.

Requirements

Current Indiana license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
Current CPR certification.
At least two years of clinical experience.
Licensed driver with an automobile insured according to state and/or organizational requirements and in good working order; driving is required throughout working hours.
Excellent observation, verbal and written communication, problem-solving, basic math, and nursing skills as assessed by a competency checklist.
Ability to organize and prioritize independently, make judgments based on assessments and available data, and act accordingly.
Ability to be flexible and innovative, with good interpersonal skills.
Ability to cope with mental and emotional stress and demonstrate emotional stability.
Ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary group and accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values.
Compliance with accepted professional standards and practice.
Ability to tolerate exposure to odors, blood, body fluids and excrement, adverse environmental conditions, and hazardous materials.
Ability to walk or stand for prolonged or considerable periods; lift, position, or transfer patients; lift supplies and equipment; and reach, stoop, bend, kneel, or crouch considerably.
Visual acuity and hearing sufficient to perform required nursing skills.

Nice To Haves

Hospice care experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Complete initial, comprehensive, and ongoing assessments of patients and families to determine hospice needs, including physical assessments and illness histories.
Provide professional nursing care using the nursing process and in accordance with the state Nurse Practice Act.
Assess and evaluate patient status; write and initiate plans of care; regularly reevaluate patient and caregiver needs; and revise plans as needed.
Use health assessment data to determine nursing diagnoses and develop care plans with goals and palliative nursing actions, involving patients and families in planning.
Initiate appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures.
Administer medications and treatments prescribed by the physician and outlined in the plan of care.
Counsel patients and families on nursing and related needs, and provide health care instructions as appropriate.
Assist patients with activities of daily living and support self-sufficiency and optimal comfort care.
Complete, maintain, and submit accurate clinical notes, including documentation of pain and symptom management changes and outcomes.
Communicate patient needs and changes in condition to physicians, and obtain or receive physician orders as required.
Coordinate care plans with community health-related staff and work with the hospice interdisciplinary group.
Teach patients and caregivers self-care techniques and provide physician-ordered medication, diet, and other instructions; identify opportunities for health counseling.
Provide and maintain a safe environment for patients and help ensure continuity of care with families, caregivers, and team members.
Work with the family or caregiver and hospice interdisciplinary group to address patients’ and families’ emotional needs.
Participate in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy.
Ensure arrangements are available for equipment and other necessary items and services.
Supervise ancillary personnel and delegate responsibilities when required.
Maintain and develop professional knowledge and practice skills through continuing education and in-service classes.
Fulfill requested or accepted case assignments.
Participate in quality assessment and performance improvement teams and activities.