Weekend On Call RN

Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation•Warren County, NJ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a part-time exempt position covering every weekend, from Saturday 8:30 AM through Monday 8:30 AM. The role involves explaining and coordinating patients' rights and advanced directives, as well as the Medicare Hospice Benefit. The RN will perform ongoing physical and psychosocial assessments, follow established care plans, and collaborate with the team leader or primary nurse on new diagnoses and care plan changes. Responsibilities include instructing and supervising hospice aides/LPN staff, assisting patients/families with durable medical equipment and supplies, and observing/recording signs and symptoms of disease processes. The RN will communicate with physicians, families, and other health team personnel regarding patient condition and needs, provide patient/family teaching, and facilitate patient/family self-direction. Medication administration and documentation, as well as providing support during the 'at-home respite' program, are also key duties. Chart documentation must be completed and filed within one workday. The role requires incorporating the physiological and developmental age of patients into the care plan, maintaining infection control practices, and strictly adhering to patient confidentiality. Participation in required in-service education programs and meetings, and compliance with the dress code policy are expected. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Strong nursing assessment and documentation skills.
Clinical knowledge to support the dying process.
Ability to serve as a resource to patients and families during times of high stress and volatility.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to comprehend the spoken and written English language, to communicate with clarity both verbally and in writing.
Well organized to manage patient/family needs, provide clinical and oversight of the inpatient Hospice operation.
Proficiency in operating a computer; including a working knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and an electronic medical record.
Diploma, Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing; BSN preferred.
Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of New Jersey; licensure in Pennsylvania if practicing in PA.
Minimum one-year adult, pediatric or medical/surgical clinical experience.

Nice To Haves

BSN preferred.
CPR certification preferred.
Prior home care or hospice experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Explains, interprets, and coordinates patients' rights and advanced directives; explains Medicare Hospice Benefit when indicated.
Performs ongoing physical and psychosocial assessment of Hospice patients.
Follows established plan of care for each patient and reports observations to team leader or primary nurse.
Collaborates with primary nurse with regards to new nursing diagnoses and need for changes in plan of care.
Instructs and supervises the activities of hospice aides/LPN staff.
Assists patient/family in obtaining durable medical equipment and supplies essential to care.
Observes and records signs and symptoms of disease process.
Communicates with the physician, the family and other health team personnel, and others to report changes in the patient's physical and/or emotional condition and identify patient needs.
Performs patient/family teaching; utilizes teaching tools and handouts; documents all teaching and patient response.
Facilitates and supports patient and family self-direction and independence.
Prepares and administers medications according to policy and documents same.
Provide support and relief for the primary care person while participating in Hospice 'at-home respite' program and provide direct care to the patient.
Completes chart documentation and returns and files same within one workday.
Documents vital signs, measurements, nursing interventions, treatments and patient responses; completes flow sheets, narratives, and verbal orders, as per agency policy.
Communicates with the Nursing Supervisor and other health team members in the planning, implementing, evaluating and coordinating of services to the patient and family in order to insure completeness and continuity of services.
Incorporates the physiological and developmental age of patients into the overall plan for the delivery of patient care.
Maintains appropriate infection control practices.
Holds in strictest confidence all patient information and discloses information and data only to persons authorized by patient/family/representative or Hospice personnel.
Participates in all required in service education programs and meetings.
Demonstrates compliance with the dress code policy by appearing well groomed, wearing ID badge while on duty and maintaining a professional appearance.
Performs other duties as assigned.