Registered Nurse (RN)

PRIMARY FUNCTIONThe Registered Nurse, RN, is a member of the interdisciplinary team who work together to meet the physical, medical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs of hospice patients and families facing terminal illness and bereavement. The Registered Nurse, RN, is designated to provide coordination of care, ensure continuous assessment of each patients and family's needs and implementation of the interdisciplinary plan of care.JOB RESPONSIBILITIESa. Case Management and Supervision for Registered Nurse, RN1. Registered Nurse, RN, follows VITAS policies and standards (See VITAS Standards Manual) and practices within the scope of the RN license and has knowledge of hospice eligibility requirements2. Registered Nurse, RN, reports any request to practice outside of scope of license to the manager/supervisor3. Registered Nurse, RN, performs supervision of (VITAS employed and contracted) nursing tasks delegated to Hospice Aides, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (and contracted Registered Nurses) and Volunteers per the plan of care4. Registered Nurse, RN, completes initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments including physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement in order to provide palliation of end-of-life symptoms5. Registered Nurse, RN, appropriately identifies/utilizes resources, referrals such as PT, OT, Home Health, Dietary, Pharmacy, Supplies, Home Medical Equipment, and other visits/consults6. Registered Nurse, RN, completes documentation at the time of the event and at the location of care unless otherwise directed7. Registered Nurse, RN, provides education and training to patients, families, caregivers and referral sources in the care of the patient, including pain management8. Registered Nurse, RN, participates in patient care meetings as assigned9. Registered Nurse, RN, participates in weekly team meetings10. Registered Nurse, RN, provides effective communication/shift reports through written, verbal, reporting and body language11. Registered Nurse, RN, participates in bereavement support12. Registered Nurse, RN, participates in the on-call rotation and/or provides shifts during non-business hours such as evenings, weekends and holidays based upon program-identified needs13. Registered Nurse, RN, provides visits/shifts in program coverage area14. Registered Nurse, RN, works with IDG to develop, coordinate, and follow the patients individualized plan of care15. Registered Nurse, RN, obtains physician orders when necessary16. Registered Nurse, RN, provides those services requiring substantial and specialized nursing skill17. Registered Nurse, RN, evaluates the outcome of services18. Registered Nurse, RN, appropriately delegates nursing tasks to Hospice Aides/Homemakers, Volunteers, and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nursesa) Connecticut: For activities other than those listed in section 19-13D69(d)(3) of the Connecticut Department of Public Health delegated to a Hospice/Homemaker, the RN will document in the clinical record that:i. All factors pertinent to the patient's safety, including the competence of the Hospice Aide/Homemaker have been assessedii. Determination that this activity can be delegated safely to a Hospice Aide/Homemaker19. Registered Nurse, RN, provides nursing care including nursing tasks that may be delegated to other roles such as LPNs, HAs and Volunteers20. Registered Nurse, RN, participates in and monitors patient and family care compliance activities21. Registered Nurse, RN, professionally manages/coordinates the hospice plan of care22. Registered Nurse, RN, provides and follows infection control practices23. Registered Nurse, RN, delivers care in accordance with the patients plan of care.i. Provides primary nursing care for inpatient and continuous care patients as assigned.b. Quality Improvementa. Registered Nurse, RN, participates in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program and related activities as assigned. For the Registered Nurse, RN, this may include, but is not limited to:b. Registered Nurse, RN, participation in Performance Improvement Project(s) (PIP)c. Registered Nurse, RN, gathering clinical data which is used for quality measuresc. Professional Developmenta. Registered Nurse, RN, develops and achieves professional growth goals and objectives personally and per Team Manager reviewsb. Registered Nurse, RN, responsible for attending orientation and regularly scheduled in-services/educational conferences as assignedc. Registered Nurse, RN, participates in orientation of Hospice Aides, Volunteers and other IDG members as assignedd. Registered Nurse, RN, participates in training activities internally within VITAS and externally as assignede. Registered Nurse, RN, provides customer servicef. Registered Nurse, RN, maintains focus on the patient and family experience of careg. Registered Nurse, RN, serves as a patient and family advocateh. Registered Nurse, RN, reports patient/family/customer complaints to Team Manageri. Registered Nurse, RN, participates in patient/family/customer conflict resolution as applicablej. Registered Nurse, RN, represents the nursing profession, the VITAS site/location and VITAS overall in a positive mannerJOB REQUIREMENTSa. Registered Nurse, RN, has reliable transportation with adequate insurance coverage for driver and passengers.b. Registered Nurse, RN, has telephone available (cellular or land line)ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands for the Registered Nurse, RN described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of the Registered Nurse, RN, the employee is regularly required to:1. Assist in lifting and transferring patients, as required.2. Lift objects in excess of 20 pounds3. Stand or walk in excess of one hour per day4. Talk and hearSpecific vision abilities required for the Registered Nurse, RN include:1. Close vision2. Distance vision3. Ability to adjust focusThe Registered Nurse, RN will be required to sit and stoop, kneel, and crouch.QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE REGISTERED NURSE, RN1. Currently licensed to practice nursing in the state where the VITAS program is located.2. A minimum of two years of nursing experience in hospice, home health, or community health in the last five years.3. Equivalent experience or licensure may be consideredDIRECTION RECEIVEDReports directly to the Team Manager.