You will reclaim a rewarding nursing career when you join our energetic interdisciplinary team of experts in end of life care whose daily mission is focused on the privileged care of patients and their family. Travel autonomously across the Panhandle of West Virginia and see the difference you make in the health care experience for patients facing their life’s final chapter. Life is too short to waste time questioning the value of the care only you can provide!
General Statement of Duties: Provides nursing care to patients and families based on assessed needs reflected in the plan of care.
Level of Responsibility: Reports to Nurse Manager.
Status: Non-exempt
Schedule: Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm and back up on call rotation
Duties and Responsibilities: \*Denotes essential job functions.
- Assesses physical, safety and psychosocial needs of patients and families as they relate to nursing problems for developing and updating the plan of care.
- Provides direct nursing care as directed by the plan of care, respecting patient/family autonomy.
- Establishes and maintains good working relationships with the patient and family, the attending physician, coworkers and outside agencies.
- Establishes and revises the nursing and hospice aide components of the plan of care with team collaboration and the consent of the patient and family and updates as appropriate.
- Educates patients/family regarding the progression of disease, pain and symptom management, safety, physical components of care, stages of dying, and hospice philosophy.
- Documents assessment, nursing interventions and patient/family teaching according to guidelines reflecting the plan of care. Documents all other patient related information.
- Registered Nurses assess need for hospice aide services, develop aide plan of care and update aides as needed. Registered Nurses supervise aide care and document the hospice aide supervision biweekly.
- Functions as part of an inter-disciplinary team recognizing, reinforcing, and enhancing the role of all disciplines within the team. Communicates with team to provide for continuity of care.
- Provides updates to physicians as required.
- Serves as a resource to physicians on pain and symptom management.
- Reports abuse and neglect to proper authority following organizational procedures.
- Participates in providing 24 hour-per-day, 7 days- a-week on call coverage to patient/families as needed. Participates in back up call coverage as needed.
- Provides phone triage, assesses patient needs, and makes visits as needed.
- Available by phone for duration of shift: communicates with triage nurse or answering service if out of reach.
- Crisis Care - Provides direct nursing services to patients and families during a time of crisis when additional nursing care is required. Gives end of shift report to appropriate staff member.
- Assists with staffing of the Inpatient Facility as needed.
- Enrolls patients in the hospice program as needed.
- Participates in nursing staff meetings, in-services, and staff development to develop and maintain hospice expertise.
- Provides educational opportunities for professional students or new employees as assigned.
- Demonstrates competency as hospice nurse.
- Meets visit average standards established by the organization.
- Complies with the employee standards.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education & Experience:
- Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the patient and family, the attending physician, coworkers and outside agencies.
- Current West Virginia eNLC Registered Nurse license is required.
- Minimum of one year nursing experience, home health or medical surgical nursing in an inpatient setting preferred.
- Provides own transportation, and a license to drive with current liability insurance. Driving record meets Hospice’s insurance company standards.
- Computer proficiency required.
Physical Qualifications:
- Ability to transport self to office and patient care settings throughout the service area.
- Ability to walk from car to patient’s room in their care setting and perform essential job functions.
- Ability to lift and move patients and equipment. Able to lift 50 pounds.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English language.
- Ability to hear normal conversation in person and via phone.
- Ability to read normal or condensed print.
- Ability to use a computer
- Ability to withstand odors.
Equipment Used: Telephone, computer, office equipment, and medical equipment and supplies in order to provide patient care.