RN, Hospice- PRN

Hospice Brazos Valley•Brenham, TX

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The RN, Hospice position involves providing comprehensive nursing care to patients in a hospice setting. This role requires administering medications and treatments, performing nursing care according to patient needs and the plan of care, and communicating changes in patient condition to physicians and other personnel. The position also involves teaching and counseling patients and families, updating the plan of treatment, participating in in-service programs, and conducting initial nursing evaluations. Key responsibilities include re-evaluating nursing needs, developing and updating the plan of care, providing specialized nursing services, initiating preventative and rehabilitative procedures, making staff assignments, coordinating services, preparing termination statements, supervising licensed practical nurses and home health aides, and conducting on-site supervision of patient care. The role also includes observing and reporting patient reactions to treatments and drugs, communicating service needs to the Director of Nurses, orienting and training nursing personnel, certifying patient eligibility for hospice services, serving as a primary case manager, functioning as a patient advocate, and taking clinical calls as needed. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and employees may perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

RN license in state of Texas
2 years of clinical experience
Home Health or Hospice preferred
Valid driver’s license
Auto insurance
Reliable transportation

Nice To Haves

BSN or MSN preferred

Responsibilities

Administer prescribed medications and treatments according to law and as permitted within the scope of the individual’s license.
Perform nursing care according to the needs of the patient and as indicated in the written plan of care.
Inform the physician and other personnel of changes in the patient’s condition and needs.
Prepare clinical and/or progress notes, for each visit or contact, and incorporate them into the clinical record.
Teach, supervise and counsel the patient and family members regarding the nursing care needs and other related problems of the patient at home.
Initiate and update the plan of treatment as established by the physician.
Participate in in-service programs.
Make the initial nursing evaluation visit to assess the nursing needs of the patient including all physical, functional, ADL, psychosocial, spiritual, communication, risk for pathological grief, cultural and environmental needs upon admission related to the terminal illness.
Re-evaluate nursing needs based on the patient’s status and condition.
Develop, implement, and update the plan of care as needed.
Provide specialized nursing services, which may include treatments, diagnostic and preventive procedures.
Initiate appropriate preventative and rehabilitative nursing procedures for the patient=s care and safety.
Make staff assignments based on specific patient needs, family capabilities, staff training and experience, and degree of supervision needed.
Assist in coordinating all services provided.
Prepare termination of services statements.
Supervise and consult with licensed practical nurses as necessary.
Provide written instructions for personal care aides and home health aides to ensure provision of required services written in the plan of care.
Supervise aides in the patient’s home as necessary, and be readily available for consultation by telephone.
Conduct on-site supervision of patient care provided by the home health aide at least every 14 days to assess relationships and determine whether goals are being met, as defined in policy for Supervision (policy #275).
Observe signs and symptoms and promptly report to the physician reactions to treatments and drugs and changes in the patient’s physical or emotional condition.
Communicate with the Director of Nurses the need for a continuation or discontinuation of nursing services for the patient.
Conducts supervisory evaluations of patient care provided by the licensed practical nurse on-site at least every 30 days and documents such supervision.
Orient and provide on-the-job training to other nursing service personnel.
Certify in writing for the physician and payer that the patient meets criteria for hospice services.
Serve as primary case manager to coordinate services for each patient assigned to case load.
Function as patient advocate in all decisions affecting patient.
Take clinical call as needed.