Registered Nurse - Palliative Care PRN Premium

Supports physicians, staff, and families when the focus for a patient changes from curative treatment to palliative care utilizing the experience and specialized training in end-of-life issues which help all those concerned with maintaining the quality and dignity of each patient's life. Reports to the Palliative Care Service Manager.

Job Function :

1. Collaborates with the physician/nurse practitioner, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to provide palliative care support to patients and families referred to the palliative care service. Provides psycho-social support for patients and families during the decision making phase of treatment. Works with others team members to develop and implement a palliative plan of care for appropriate patients. Promotes advance care planning and assists to clarify as warranted. Collaborates with physician/nurse practitioner to facilitate patient/family exploration of the psycho-social dilemmas triggered by a serious, progressive illness or terminal condition. Assists patients and families in the transitioning from curative to palliative care. Educates patients and families regarding end-of-life issues and available resources for end-of-life care. Advocates for patients and families for specialized care during the terminal phase. Supports staff in caring for patients with terminal and life-threatening illness. Assists in educating staff and promoting the palliative care program. Facilitates debriefing following discharge or death of difficult cases. Collaborates with physician/nurse practitioner regarding palliative care protocols approved by the palliative care service and endorsed by the Medical Executive Committee. Provides on-call coverage as warranted. Ensures timely and complete documentation of palliative care service support. Participates in Palliative Care Service meetings as needed. Participates in performance improvement opportunities.
2. Direct contact with blood or other body fluids to which universal precautions apply. Personal protective equipment is made available and must be worn.

Education: Graduate from an accredited school of nursing. Baccalaureate degree preferred.

Work Experience :

1. Minimum of two years' clinical experience required. Current Mississippi RN license required. National board certification in hospice and palliative nursing or eligible preferred. Previous clinical experience working with pain management and patients with serious, progressive illness preferred..

Skills Abilities :

1. Knowledge of end of life care, including advance care planning, pain and symptom control of the terminally ill and bereavement care issues preferred. Other skills required include an ability to organize, supervise and carry out objectives of the Palliative Care Program. Employee must demonstrate ability to recognize patients' individual needs based on medical conditions, age (infants, pediatrics, adolescents, young adults, middle-aged and geriatric), limitations and planned procedures. Requires excellent oral and written communication skills; professional affiliations.

License & Cert :

1. Current Mississippi RN license required.