Registered Nurse (RN)

PRIMARY FUNCTION

 

The 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 RESPONSIBILITIES

 

a.      Case Management and Supervision for Registered Nurse, RN

1. 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 requirements

2. Registered Nurse, RN, reports any request to practice outside of scope of license to the manager/supervisor

3. 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 care

4. Registered Nurse, RN, completes initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments including physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement in order to provide palliation of end-of-life symptoms

5. Registered Nurse, RN, appropriately identifies/utilizes resources, referrals such as PT, OT, Home Health, Dietary, Pharmacy, Supplies, Home Medical Equipment, and other visits/consults

6. Registered Nurse, RN, completes documentation at the time of the event and at the location of care unless otherwise directed

7. Registered Nurse, RN, provides education and training to patients, families, caregivers and referral sources in the care of the patient, including pain management

8.  Registered Nurse, RN, participates in patient care meetings as assigned

9.  Registered Nurse, RN, participates in weekly team meetings

10. Registered Nurse, RN, provides effective communication/shift reports through written, verbal, reporting and body language

11. Registered Nurse, RN, participates in bereavement support

12.  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 needs

13. Registered Nurse, RN, provides visits/shifts in program coverage area

14. Registered Nurse, RN, works with IDG to develop, coordinate, and follow the patients individualized plan of care

15. Registered Nurse, RN, obtains physician orders when necessary

16. Registered Nurse, RN, provides those services requiring substantial and specialized nursing skill

17. Registered Nurse, RN, evaluates the outcome of services

18. Registered Nurse, RN, appropriately delegates nursing tasks to Hospice Aides/Homemakers, Volunteers, and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses

a) 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 assessed

     ii. Determination that this activity can be delegated safely to a Hospice Aide/Homemaker

19. Registered Nurse, RN, provides nursing care including nursing tasks that may be delegated to other roles such as LPNs, HAs and Volunteers

20. Registered Nurse, RN, participates in and monitors patient and family care compliance activities

21. Registered Nurse, RN, professionally manages/coordinates the hospice plan of care

22. Registered Nurse, RN, provides