Job Description

Job Location: 2600 JOHNSTON ST - LAFAYETTE, LA 70503
Position Type: Full TimeEducation
Level: 2 Year or Associate Degree
Travel Percentage: None
Job Category: NursingReports To: Clinical Supervisor
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Inpatient Unit RN is responsible as a member of the IDT to the IPU Supervisor and the attending physician for the provision of skilled nursing assessment, planning, and care to maximize the comfort and health of patients and families consistent with Hospice of Acadiana, Inc.'s policies and procedures and Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES
Patient Care
- Completes an initial, comprehensive and ongoing assessments of patient and family to determine hospice needs.
- Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).
- Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process.
- Assesses and evaluates patient's status by writing and initiating plan of care, regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs, and participating in revising the plan of care as necessary.
- Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.
- Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions.
- Includes the patient and the family in the planning process.
- Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures.
- Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician's plan of care.
- Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.
- Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan.
- Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient's efforts toward self- sufficiency and optional comfort care.
- Acts as Case Manager when assigned by IPU Coordinator and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.
Communication
- Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient's condition and care given.
- Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.
- Communicates with the physician regarding the patient's needs and reports changes in the patient's condition; obtains/receives physicians' orders as required.
- Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.
- Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate.
- Provides medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers.
- Works in concert with the interdisciplinary group.
- Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
- Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.
- Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice Interdisciplinary Group Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.
- Attends interdisciplinary team meetings.
Additional Duties
- Holiday shifts will be assigned in advance of which staff will be allowed to switch shifts, but not use PTO (in advance) notice.
- IPU RN will be assigned to work day or night shifts (12 hours/day).
- IPU RN will be assigned to work holiday shifts as per schedule with advanced notice. RN may be allowed PTO for that holiday when requested at the discretion of IPU Supervisor.
- Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.
- Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.
- Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in- service classes.
- Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.
- Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
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The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks or special projects, other than those stated in this description, by supervisors/Leadership Team. 

Qualifications
- Certifications/Licensure/Registration: Valid Louisiana RN License. Valid BLS CPR Certification. Valid CHPN (Hospice & Palliative Care Certification) preferred.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited academic institution.
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Experience: Two (2) years’ nursing experience as a practicing RN; inpatient hospice experience preferred.
- Possesses valid Louisiana Driver’s License and Automobile Liability Coverage.