Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse

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POSITION TITLE: Registered Nurse EFFECTIVE DATE: 1990

POSITION STATUS: Non-Exempt REVISED DATE: 4/2006, 2/2007, 12/2008

1/2009, 02/2011, 01/2014

SUPERVISOR: Clinical Team Director 12/2015

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Registered Nurse (RN) employs the nursing process (assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, documents) and specialized knowledge, judgment and nursing skills to provide palliative care to patient/families.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1.  Provides palliative care to patient/families in accordance with patient goals, preferences and needs.

2.  Coordinates patient/family care and visits with the interdisciplinary team.

3.  Provides education and options to patient/family and assesses for comprehension.

4.  Pursues continuing education in accordance with agency policy. Demonstrates competency annually at skills day and on-going in accordance with competency validation tools.

5.  Communicates with and obtains orders from attending physicians/Medical Director.

6.  Assists with coordination and successful completion of patient transfers.

7.  Supervises Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) as assigned by the Director; delegates specific tasks per agency policy

8.  Assumes responsibility for professional growth and development; maintains skills required for palliative care nursing.

9.  Demonstrates excellent observation, assessment, and communication skills.

10.  Actively listens; asks appropriate questions.

11.  Communicates with all members of the Hospice team to facilitate care and provide an accurate report and support of patient/family.

12.  Maintains confidentiality of all patients/families. Maintains and respects professional and personal boundaries.

13.  Assists in the orientation/training of new team members. Serves as preceptor for nursing students as assigned.

14.  Exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships.

15.  Participates in identifying and solving problems to achieve best practices.

16.  Applies knowledge of and compliance with accepted professional standards and practice.

17.  Submits accurate and timely documentation of patient visits/contacts per agency protocol.

18.  Attends required meetings.

19.  Implements good hand washing and standard precautions at all times during patient care; follows infection control standards, including appropriate use of PPE (personal protective equipment) and proper disposal of biohazard waste.

20.  Works in a consistently positive and cooperative manner with fellow team members.

21.  Demonstrates excellent organizational and time management skills

22.  Participates in the organization’s quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) program at a departmental or agency-wide level.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

1.  Cross trains to other care settings.

2.  Is available to assist with continuous care coverage as needed.

3.  Other duties as assigned.

Admissions RN (Essential functions specific to the role, in addition to functions listed

above)

1.  Coordinates with Director on daily referrals, visits and admissions to ensure admissions are timely.

2.  Consults with primary physician to determine eligibility for hospice care, determine future plans for medical care, and gather most recent orders, medical history and physical exam.

3.  Consults with staff of hospital, skilled nursing facility (SNF) or Assisted Living Facility (ALF) to determine discharge orders and to facilitate discharge to home, SNF or other residence.

4.  Meets with patient/family as soon as possible after referral to explain services, assess patient, determine clinical needs, and place durable medical equipment, supplies, medications and oxygen orders, as needed. Completes inventory of current medications, and determines which medications relate to the terminal illness.

5.  Completes documentation of the plan of care (POC) and initiates the clinical record process through Patient View.

6.  Develops initial 60-day orders, completes paper work within the required twenty-four (24) hours after admission.

7.  Communicates pertinent patient/family information to interdisciplinary team (IDT) and follows through to facilitate smooth transition and integration of team.

8.  Promotes and performs community relations activities as assigned by Director.

Per Diem Nurse (Essential functions specific to the role, in addition to functions

listed above)

1.  Communicates availability to Director on an on-going basis.

2.  Demonstrates willingness to be available for scheduled and prn days/shifts, including quality improvement and customer service duties as assigned.

3.  Attends IDT meetings as possible and especially when scheduled to cover for another RN.

4.  Communicates verbally and in writing to IDT as needed in a timely manner.

5.  Manages referral calls and coordinates with Director and admissions RNs to ensure consistent, timely communication re: intakes and admissions as assigned.

6.  Performs internal chart audits as assigned.

7.  Provides skilled nursing follow-up phone contact with pt/families as assigned.

Per Diem CLLI (Children with life limiting illnesses) Nurse (Essential functions specific to the role, in addition to functions listed above)

8. Attends Pediatric IDT meetings as scheduled.

9. Accountable and responsible for assigned patient caseload.

10. Accurate documentation in Allscripts per agency protocol.

11. Two (2) years pediatric experience preferred.


On-Call/After Hours Nurse (Essential functions specific to the role, in addition to functions listed above)

1.  As part of the On-Call/After Hours team, is available and flexible for on-call rotation.

2.  When On-Call, determines need for home visit/phone intervention based on sound nursing judgment and patient/family needs.

3.  Accepts assignment to assess and make interventions with patients that need nursing contact during On-Call hours.

4.  Contributes to continuity of care by reinforcing primary RNs interventions.

5.  Provides support to the Pathways Hospice Care Center after hours as needed and as available.

Primary Homecare Nurse (Essential functions specific to the role, in addition to functions

listed above)

1.  Accountable and responsible for assigned patient caseload.

2.  Ensures adequate amount of supplies and medications for patients.

3.  Completes 60 day renewal orders and re-certifications in an accurate and timely manner.

4.  Documents on POC at least every 2 weeks.

5.  If planned absence, communicates pertinent information to per diem RN/CTD.

Float Nurse (Essential functions specific to the role, in addition to functions

listed above)

1.  Demonstrates willingness & flexibility to be available for scheduled and prn days/shifts.

2.  Demonstrates availability to function in all care settings including home care, admissions, HCC, including quality improvement and customer service duties as assigned.

3.  Attends IDT meetings as possible, especially when scheduled to cover for another RN.

HCC Nurse (Essential functions specific to the role, in addition to functions

listed above)

1.  Coordinates admission process to inpatient unit.

2.  Provides comprehensive nursing care through assessment, medications, treatments, interventions and evaluation.

3.  Documents nursing care every two hours, throughout shift via progress notes; patient plan of care.

4.  Maintains unit stock and individual patient medication inventory on the unit.

5.  Accurately documents orders, meds and treatments given on MAR.

6.  Follows safety-fall risk aromatherapy and all unit base protocols.

7.  Complies with all McKee/Banner Health requirement policies including completion of on-line classes, smoking and safety regulations.

8.  Provides appropriate post-mortem cares.

9.  Works shifts as assigned, helping to cover weekends and holidays; recognizes the need for variations in staffing and volunteers to fill open shifts.

10.  Communicates effective patient and unit shifts reports to oncoming and off going staff.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

1.  Is a graduate of an accredited school of professional (registered) nursing; BSN preferred.

2.  Maintains current RN license through the State of Colorado Board of Nursing.

3.  At least 2 years nursing experience preferred, with hospice, home health, hospital long term nursing care or critical care experience desirable.

4.  Maintains current CPR certification.

5.  Have reliable transportation, valid Colorado Driver’s License and automobile insurance in accordance with state statute.

6.  Understands hospice/palliative care philosophy and supports Pathways Hospice’s principles of death and dying.

7.  Must be able to speak, read and write in English.

8.  Knowledge of and compliance with accepted professional standards of practice.

9.  Available days, evenings/nights/weekends for patient care assignments.

10.  Available for on-call rotation as needed to help meet agency staffing needs.

11.  Applies critical thinking appropriate to role.


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. / In an eight (8) hour work day (indicate one):
a. sit /  0 – 2 hours □ 3 - 5 hours □ 6+ hours
b. stand / □ 0 – 2 hours  3 - 5 hours □ 6+ hours
c. walk /  0 – 2 hours □ 3 - 5 hours □ 6+ hours
2. / Job requires: / 0-5%
Rarely / 6-33%
Occasionally / 34-66%
Frequently / 67-100%
Continuously
a. squatting, bending, kneeling, reaching, twisting, crawling / X
b. climb ladder/stairs / X
c. Environment is an office setting that meets ADA requirements, although responsibilities may take the employee to another setting that may not be ADA compliant.
Facilities: Environment is a patient care area that meets ADA requirements. May require maneuvering in tight spaces.
Homecare: Environment involves patient care in individual residences with a wide variety of settings that may include stairs, exposure to animals, and cigarette smoke. This position also involves driving from place to place.
Environment is the employee’s automobile. They may be exposed to common roadway and traffic hazards.
3. / Lift/carry:
a. 0-24 lbs / X
b. 25-50 lbs / X
c. 51-74 lbs (with assist) / X
d. 75-100 lbs (with assist) / X
e. 100+ lbs (with assist) / X
4. / Push/pull:
a. 0-24 lbs / X
b. 25-50 lbs / X
c. 51-74 lbs (with assist) / X
d. 75-100 lbs (with assist) / X
e. 100+ lbs (with assist) / X
5 / Repetitive actions requiring hands: / Grasping / Grasping and Turning / Fine Manipulation / Speed Work
Right / X / X / X
Left: / X / X / X

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I acknowledge that I have received a copy of this job description and understand the responsibilities outlined in it.

Employee signature Date

Pathways Hospice 305 Carpenter Road Fort Collins, CO 80525

F:\HR\Job Descriptions\Current Job Descriptions after 2006\Registered Nurse.doc