Triage RN

Community Hospice & Health Services•Modesto, CA

3d•$48 - $62•Onsite

About The Position

The Triage RN works under the supervision of the Patient Care Manager to provide skilled nursing assessment and care that supports the comfort and health of hospice patients and their families. The role identifies patient and family needs and provides supportive care in accordance with the plan of care and Community Hospice & Health Services policies and procedures. The position includes telephone triage, scheduled and crisis-response home visits, hospice admissions and evaluations, care coordination, documentation, and support for patients and families, including at time of death. The nurse also participates in meetings, in-services, orientation, and student supervision. The primary work environment is patients’ homes, and the position requires automobile travel. The role is regular full-time, with regularly scheduled 10-hour shifts; overtime, rotating weekends and holidays, and on-call time may be required. Part-time positions of 20–29 hours per week may occasionally be used if justified by department needs.

Requirements

At least one year of recent professional nursing experience within the last three years.
Current license to practice as a registered nurse in California, with timely renewal.
Valid California Driver’s License and current automobile insurance, with timely renewal.
Current CPR certification, maintained.
Ability to cope with the demands of the job and maintain healthy emotional boundaries.
Empathetic attitude toward the care and needs of terminally ill patients and their families.
Ability to work in a dynamic, rapidly changing environment.
Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to follow written directions and provide accurate, timely documentation.
Ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
Demonstrated ability to assess and respond to patient and family needs in varied settings.
Ability to cope with patients’ and families’ emotional circumstances and provide crisis intervention.

Nice To Haves

CHPN certification.

Responsibilities

Provide telephone triage for patient and family calls regarding symptom management, emotional support, and practical support; respond to calls within 15 minutes.
Perform scheduled home visits to assess needs, teach caregivers pain management, symptom control, and patient care skills, and provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support.
Document nursing visits and phone calls in the electronic medical record by the end of the shift.
Attend nursing department and All Staff meetings and required in-services; complete all required in-services and attend 80% of other mandatory in-services and meetings.
Read meeting minutes and obtain reports from the designated meeting attendee when unable to attend.
Follow organizational policies and procedures, including safety, infection control, privacy, confidentiality, and HIPAA requirements; maintain a current RN license and act within its scope.
Conduct nursing assessments and initial care planning before and during hospice admissions, including introducing hospice services and initial problem-solving meetings with patients and families.
Conduct hospice consults and evaluations, schedule them at the earliest mutually agreed opportunity, and document them on the Preadmission Contacts form.
Provide backup nursing visit support during crises or unusual needs; complete assigned home visits and documentation within one business day.
Communicate regularly with the Patient Care Manager about unusual or problematic patient and family issues affecting admissions or ongoing care.
Coordinate care and resources by communicating with attending physicians, hospice team members, and community agencies as needed.
Complete communication with triage by the end of the business day and leave a report for the assigned case manager by 9:00 a.m. of the first business day after admission.
Contact physicians as needed to update the plan of care and forward community resource referral requests to the assigned Social Worker within 24 hours of contact.
Complete accurate and timely initial assessment, plan-of-care, and admission documentation in the electronic medical record by the end of the shift.
Attend death events and provide appropriate support at the time of death.
Participate in organizational orientation and student supervision, make joint visits with students, and help teach the hospice concept.
Maintain a professional appearance and work area and interact courteously and professionally with patients, families, staff, guests, and community members.
Help maintain safe environments for patients, families, coworkers, and self; maintain required confidentiality and privacy.
Perform other assigned duties, including work in other areas to cover absences, relieve peak workloads, or meet organizational needs.