Job Description

Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.

Job Summary

Utilizes the nursing process to provide hospice and palliative care to the terminally ill patient, regardless of their age, and supportive care to the patient's family. Adheres to all compliance and policy and procedure requirements of the organization including, but not limited to: licensure renewal, assigned training, employee health screenings, time and attendance policy, dress code policy, patient confidentiality, infection control, medication administration. Demonstrates knowledge of regulatory agency requirements (The Joint Commission, DHEC). Provides care within the scope of the SC Nursing Practice Act.

Essential Functions

• All team members are expected to be knowledgeable and compliant with Prisma Health's purpose: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.
• Assess patient physiological, psychosocial, developmental, environmental needs, and the families' need for supportive care; and based upon that assessment will offer input into the interdisciplinary Plan of Care
• Demonstrates the ability to perform a physical assessment based on the patient's age and developmental level.
• Performs a thorough pain and other symptom assessment and utilizes the symptom management medical authorization guidelines to guide care plan and interventions.
• Considers the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the patient/family when assessing client's needs.
• Documents assessment appropriately in the medical record in a clear and concise manner.
• Provides accurate assessment to physician in a timely manner.
• Develops a nursing plan of care and a CNA plan of care, as needed, that are individualized, seeking input from the patient and family.
• Monitors and updates the nursing and the CNA plans of care basing updates on changing patient status and changing family needs.
• Monitors the patient's/family's need for additional services and refers appropriately to other members of the hospice team.
• Assesses for and provides education to patient/family using verbal and written information.
• Develops a plan of care for the time of death that meets the express wishes of the patient/family.
• Competently performs appropriate nursing interventions with thorough and timely documentation in patient's chart.
• Demonstrates clinical competency and is knowledgeable regarding agency's clinical procedures.
• Reports assessment findings and changes in patient's condition to physician resulting in successful management of patient's symptoms, makes recommendation based upon sound nursing judgement.
• Utilizes standing orders and medical authorization guidelines to appropriately guide practice.
• Recognizes the family decision-making role and patient's right to self-determination.
• Demonstrates time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Utilizes appropriately the other members of the interdisciplinary team both as resources and as consultants.
• Oversees the CNA's performance of the interventions in Plan of Care according to requirements 100% of the time.
• Documentation reflects timeliness, completeness, clarity and accuracy. All documentation is complete by the workday.
• Demonstrates safe and effective nursing care, as defined by facility's policies and procedures.
• Initiates bereavement follow-up with patient's family, supporting the bereavement POC.
• Attends funeral, visitations or memorial services whenever possible.
• Attends scheduled bereavement program events, supporting those families served.
• Participates in review of quality data and makes recommendations for improvement
• Performs admission, evaluation visits and consultative services as requested
• Works on various projects and committees as requested
• Educates the public regarding end-of life issues.
• Assists with the orientation and training of students/new employees/Volunteers
• Evaluates the effectiveness of specific interventions and the resulting movement toward goals.
• Evaluates patient's response to any treatment and/or medication administered.
• Evaluates patient's disease progression and family's response to change.
• Evaluates patient's progress toward goals and achieved outcomes.
• Evaluates patient/family response to teaching.
• Evaluates family caregiver's potential and current ability to cope with the physical and emotional demands of their role in patient's care.
• Evaluates need for team conference or consultation.
• Provides consultation and discussion of the case at IDG Care Meeting.
• Evaluates cultural needs and/or developmental needs when evaluating the response to Plan of Care.
• Facilitates continuity of care with other team members and other agencies through accurate and timely exchange of information
• Communicates on a regular basis with all staff/volunteers regarding patient status
• Communicates with physicians and others, as needed, to coordinate and ensure quality care.
• Attends and participates in team meetings, briefings and other related activities.
• Provides ongoing communication with all Hospice team members. Initiates POC at time of death and notifies all appropriate persons/agencies. Completes all discharge paperwork.
• Documents all clinical findings, interventions, physician orders, changes in the Plan of Care telephone calls, team conferences and referrals clearly and in a timely manner.
• Participates as a member of the team supporting the mission and goals of the agency
• Participates in IDG care planning, offering insights and knowledge to other team members in a supportive manner
• Recognizes the value of the interdisciplinary approach to care utilizing/referring to the other team members appropriately
• Recognizes the influence of beliefs, and cultures on behaviors and accepts strengths and limitations in others for both clients and co-workers
• Works toward the resolution of interpersonal conflicts
• Uses words that express respect, patience and understanding in all interactions with others.
• Demonstrates the ability to maintain an effective nurse-patient/family relationship using clear professional boundaries.
• Offers and provides help when others are in need of assistance, information or direction
• Offers positive participation in staff meetings.
• Seeks opportunities to collaborate and to keep all team members informed
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities

• This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director or executive.

Minimum Requirements

• Education - Associate degree in Nursing
• Experience - One (1) year experience as a registered nurse. Experience in hospice or other home care services preferred

In Lieu Of

• In lieu of 1 year of registered nurse experience, will accept successful completion of the Prisma Health Nurse Residency Program or successful completion of a comparable residency from another organization.

Required Certifications, Registrations, Licenses

• Holds a current RN compact/multistate license recognized by the NCSBN Compact State or is licensed to practice as an RN in the state the team member is working.
• A valid driver’s license; an acceptable motor vehicle record, as defined by the Acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Chart; and proof of auto insurance.
• BSN preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking skills
• Problem solving skills
• Knowledge concerning the process of grief/loss process and able to demonstrates appropriate supportive interventions.
• Familiar with dept. policies and procedures and able demonstrates compliance with hospice standards of care.
• Communication skills. Ability to uses listening skills that indicate understanding and promotes accurate interpretation of others' concerns, motivation and feelings

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Location

Blount Memorial Hospital

Facility

Hospice - Eastern Tennessee

Department

Nursing Service

Share your talent with us! Our vision is simple: to transform healthcare for the benefits of the communities we serve. The transformation of healthcare requires talented individuals in every role here at Prisma Health.