RN Inpatient Unit PRN (33743)

Columbus Hospice of GA & AL•Columbus, GA

5d•$35 - $40•Onsite

About The Position

Provide individualized nursing care in accordance with Hospice philosophies and standards; provide education to patients and families; conduct ongoing assessments throughout shift to effectively provide symptom management; count and accurately administer medications. Takes all reasonable precautions to maintain privacy and non-disclosure of any confidential information about patients, other staff members, and the general operations of Columbus Hospice.

Requirements

Associate's degree from two-year college or technical school, and one-year experience or training
Valid Georgia Registered Nurse License or Compact RN License - required
CPR Certification
Influenza vaccine during influenza season (Nov. - March) required
Valid Drivers License preferred
Car Insurance per Columbus Hospice policy
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents
Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints
Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to professional students, medical students, employees, families and patients, and external customers

Nice To Haves

Hospice and Palliative Care RN certification preferred

Responsibilities

Provide individualized nursing care in accordance with Hospice philosophies and standards
Provide education to patients and families
Conduct ongoing assessments throughout shift to effectively provide symptom management
Count and accurately administer medications
Supervise and direct patient care activities to the CNAs and LPNs, ensure that all assigned duties are completed
Directly supervise nurses and CNAs in patient care (if assigned as Charge Nurse)
Act on physicians orders
Use nursing judgment to assess PTs for critical changes, medication administration
Assessment of: Patient- Both initial and ongoing, and of patient and family needs to include physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs
Accurate administration of medications; orders medications appropriately; counts controlled medications at shift change
Develop a comprehensive nursing and team care plan in conference with the other members of the Interdisciplinary Team; updating the care plan weekly or more frequently if needed
Seek optimal symptom and pain control for the patients through attentive and thorough examination and follow up
Keep the attending physician apprised of patients status and request appropriate changes in care in accordance with established guidelines
Coordinate with the Volunteer Coordinator in assigning, directing, and supporting volunteers
Seek appropriate spiritual support for the patient/family through patients personal clergy or hospice chaplain
Provide necessary on-going information, and teaching to the patient/family including hospice protocol, emergencies, and on-call procedures
Solicit help from other members of the team as well as other agencies or organizations as appropriate
Help patient/family to prepare for the death of the patient; maintain hope; encourage pre-planning
Encourage family to actively participate in the patients care. Explain the need to destroy drugs after death occurs
Support the family and volunteers with closure through the death process
Accurate and timely recording of all phases of the patients care to include re-certification and physicians orders
Participate in weekly IDTM meetings: to include documenting on IDTM sheets any changes or problems
Supervise LPNs, CNAs; in absence of managers supervise Team Assistants, Housekeeping, and Dietary
Will participate in shift report for continuity of care; reporting pertinent changes and patient information to the oncoming shift
Coordinates patient care by making staff assignments for RNs and CNAs (if assigned Charge Nurse)
Available to direct, advise and support staff in patient care decisions related to the plan of care and hospice philosophy (if assigned Charge Nurse)
Make rounds on all patients a minimum of two (2) times during the 12 hour shift (if assigned Charge Nurse)
Communicate with staff throughout the shift for updates on special patient issues or concerns (if assigned Charge Nurse)
In absence of Nurse Manager, coordinate admissions and discharges (if assigned Charge Nurse)
Communicate with Administrator on Call regarding problems or concerns that occur on the weekend and cannot wait until the next business day (if assigned Charge Nurse)
Assign CNA duties and ensures compliance (if assigned Charge Nurse)
Effectively oversee staff productivity in absence of Nurse Manager. Assigns extra tasks such as cleaning/organizing medication room: cleaning kitchen cabinets/drawers; cleaning break room, reading education articles from the Education Notebook; etc (if assigned Charge Nurse)
Assure that staff follows the rules and policies of the hospice house (if assigned Charge Nurse)
Coordinate coverage on unit to ensure that all staff receives a meal break (if assigned Charge Nurse)
After-hours charge nurse is responsible for security of building: making sure all doors in hallways, kitchen and patient rooms are locked (if assigned Charge Nurse)
Direct fire drills and actual emergencies. Make sure that all staff knows what steps to take for patient safety (if assigned Charge Nurse)
Maintain a patient caseload and provides services per plan of care
Participate in hospice training as required, to include 15 hours of CEUs/year and competency check per policy
Attend and/or participate in one Memorial Service per year
Participate in performance improvement activities
Participate in Joint Commission accreditation processes of Columbus Hospice and surveys by regulatory and other accrediting agencies
Attend mandatory in-service education and staff meetings
Take all reasonable precautions to maintain privacy and non-disclosure of any confidential information about patients, other staff members, and the general operations of Columbus Hospice
Represent the company in a positive and professional manner at all times with others, e.g.,co-workers, management, vendors, and customers
Complete all job responsibilities in a thorough and complete manner, utilizing good judgment in all aspects of the job
When unsure of a directed task or any part of job responsibilities, proactively seek the assistance of immediate supervisor
Ensure job responsibilities are met, including attendance requirements and prompt arrival at work
Assist with special projects, as requested
All other job duties as may be assigned