Registered Nurse - (RN) - Hospice On Call After Hours

Job Category: Nursing - Registered Nurse Work Shift/Schedule: 7 Days on 7 Days Off Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role

Job Summary

Responsible for the delivery of patient care in accordance with acceptable standards of care in various care settings including patient homes, hospitals, long term care facilities, assisted living facilities and retirement communities in the hospice service area

Collaborates with other professional disciplines and members of the hospice interdisciplinary team to ensure effective and efficient patient care delivery and the achievement of desired patient outcomes

Utilizes knowledge of patients age, gender and cultural diversity into the provision of patient care Contributes to the provision of quality nursing care through performance improvement processes that demonstrate positive outcomes in patient care

Provides on-call coverage for the hospice program to include acute symptom management and other needs as identified by Triage RN Minimum Job Qualifications Licensure or other certifications: Georgia RN licensure

Current BLS certification.

Educational Requirements

Associates Degree Minimum Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of clinical nursing experience. Other: Preferred Job Qualifications Preferred Licensure or other certifications: CHPN. Preferred Educational Requirements:

Preferred Experience

Experience with emphasis on care of terminally ill patients, adults in acute care medical and surgical areas/home care.

Additional experience

with children and infants desired One (1) year hospice experience Other: Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Strong clinical nursing and assessment skills Ability to understand, interpret and adhere to regulations, agency policy/procedure and accreditation standards Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills Skill in documenting clinical care in software system via laptop computer Able to work independently and as a member of a team Heavy travel throughout service area; must have own automobile, proof of valid drivers license, and current auto insurance with a minimum of $100,000 liability

Hours may be extended to meet the needs of the agency Twenty-four (24) hour on-call assignment as scheduled Essential Tasks and Responsibilities Admits patients to the hospice program

Assesses the appropriateness of patient admission to the hospice program based on state, federal and regulatory requirements, hospice admission criteria and in consultation/coordination with attending physician and hospice medical director

Completes the admission visit utilizing specialized format of the agency and within specified time frame Performs complete and thorough assessment Collaborates with the attending physician, hospice Medical Director, referral source, and hospice intake department

Delivers nursing care according to the standards of care defined within the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards of Clinical Practice and Standards of Hospice Nursing Practice and Professional Performance

Performs routine, admission, death pronouncement, continuous care, and on call visits as assigned and/or as needed by patient/significant others Implements the interventions identified in the plan of care and evaluates response to interventions in relation to expected outcomes

Supervises the hospice aide and LPN in accordance with State and Federal regulations and agency policy and procedure Provides education and instruction patient and/or caregivers appropriate to the learning ability/level of the patient and/or caregiver

Assesses, instructs and refers as indicated to ensure a safe environment for the patient Documents care in accordance with medical documentation standards and in accordance with agency policy, standards and timelines

Completes patient charting in accordance with agency policy and procedure and within specified timeframes 100% of time Charts concisely and legibly Does not utilize unacceptable abbreviations

Documents in a manner that facilitates the determination of expected outcomes and plan of care, including interventions and response to interventions Completes necessary paperwork/procedures for the appropriate payor to ensure proper reimbursement in accordance with agency policy and procedure

Collaborates and communicates with the patient/family, Primary Nurse, Patient Care Coordinator, Physician, Referral Source, and Hospice Interdisciplinary Team to ensure optimal coordination of care for each patient/family and to participate in the development and monitoring of the plan of care to ensure effective patient case management

Acknowledges and honors the patient and significant others as vital members of the health care team Communicates accordingly in assessing and establishing their needs and goals

Delivers care in a manner that preserves and protects patient autonomy, dignity and rights Consults with Attending Physician/Medical Director/health care providers for patient care, especially difficult to control symptoms of hospice patients

Recommends/assists the Primary Nurse in coordinating all aspects of care for patients and their families by appropriate communications with various IDT members and referrals to appropriate community agencies/resources as indicated

Notifies interdisciplinary team members of changes in patients condition/support system/environment and changes made in specific duties in the hospice aides assignment related to the patients needs

Coordinates changes in level of care and care setting as indicated and in accordance with physician orders and agency policy Area/Unit Specific Essential Tasks and Responsibilities-On Call Hospice RN Provides on call coverage after normal business hours

Responds appropriately to pages/calls from Hospice office, NGMC operator or Administrator on call concerning needs of patient, family, significant others, physician, referral sources

Handles calls with excellent customer service, compassion and clinical and interpersonal expertise Verbally offers to make visit to each current hospice/significant other call for assistance, including when assigned to be on-call

Always provides visits when appropriates If unable to assist an individual in need, offers to find someone who can Visits within required time frames established by agency

Demonstrates good judgment and analytical ability in response to calls Inspires confidence from callers and co-workers, remaining well informed and prepared at all times

Demonstrates caring and maintains calm and effective behavior during stressful situations Responds appropriately to new referrals received while on call Considers factors relating to safety, effectiveness, performance improvement, and cost in planning and delivering patient care

Participates in peer chart review and other Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement activities as directed Documents and processes all variances, medication errors, adverse drug reactions and infection surveillance in accordance with agency policy and procedure

Evaluates care from a cost effectiveness perspective and utilizing hospice philosophy of care Understands hospice Medicare/Medicaid/payor benefits and delivers care in accordance with benefit and plan of care

Maintains responsibility for communication and professional development and growth Attends interdisciplinary team meetings, staff meetings and educational programs when indicated or obtains information through review of minutes, handout materials, video/audio tapes of sessions

Completes all required education within specified time frames Seeks out education required to maintain clinical and regulatory expertise and knowledge Completes required competencies within specified time frames

Observes established dress guidelines, visibly wearing the photo/name identification badge Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with OSHA regulations, organizations safety policies and risk management program.

Physical Demands

Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time Vision: Moderate, Constantly 66-100% Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Frequently 31-65% Standing/Walking: Frequently 31-65% Pushing/Pulling: Frequently 31-65% Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65% Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding , Driving Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals

NGHS: Opportunities start here Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.