Admission Nurse Per Diem - Outpatient Hospice

Adult and pediatric patients are cared for as outpatients in their place of residence with access to a hospice nurse 24/7.  We provide a care team that includes RNs, home health aides, social workers, chaplains and providers that provide personal care to patients and complimentary therapy with massage. Additionally we have comprehensive volunteer services and a bereavement program.  We also have a pediatric hospice program and provide hospice services in the Benson area.

SUMMARY:

The Hospice Admission RN will develop and maintain positive relationships with referral sources. Identify and create new opportunities for increasing referrals. Promote exceptional customer service to physicians, facility staff, patients, and families. Supports programs, organizational, and departmental policies, goals, and objectives. Explains hospice services and benefits to patients, family members, and significant others in a manner that promotes an accurate and positive view of hospice services. Works closely with leadership, community, hospital, and facility representatives to meet growth and development targets and help build and maintain customer loyalty and market share.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure safe patient care.

Writes or obtains initial nursing histories, assesses patients' conditions and develops individual care plans; maintains patient documentation.

Receives and reviews preceding shift reports and floor nurse reports; makes complete rounds of all units, and notes patients' condition.

Notifies appropriate physician regarding any unusual or unexpected events or problems requiring direct physician consultation.

Works with other members of the interdisciplinary patient care team, implements and reinforces patient instructional needs with patient and family offering informational material and pointing out special areas of concern.

Evaluates outcomes of patient care, consults with other specialists as needed and adjusts nursing care processes as necessary to ensure optimal patient care.

Identifies and resolves workplace health and safety issues.

Provides appropriate, direct patient care utilizing appropriate aseptic techniques.

May manage IV lines, ensure that sterile techniques are adhered to, and oversee patient movement and positioning to ensure that the patient is handled in a medically safe manner.

May perform the administration of pharmacological vasodilator medications for the purpose of nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging; complies with examination competency as defined in the Imaging Services Practice Standards.

Complies with policies, procedures, regulations, and standards and takes corrective action when violations occur.

Orients, instructs, and educates assigned personnel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Graduation from a qualified, nationally-accredited nursing program.

EXPERIENCE: One year of nursing experience in an acute care setting preferred. 

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Current RN licensure permitting work in the State of Arizona and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.  Some departments such as OR, Ambulatory Surgery, Pediatrics/PICU, PACU, and GI Lab will require advanced life support certification (ACLS and PALS). 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  

·       Knowledge of direct patient care and critical care procedures and techniques, tools, and responses required to ensure optimal patient care.

·       Knowledge of exam indicators, contraindications and patient preparation.

·       Skill in communicating in a clear and concise manner with staff involved in critical care, and physicians to ensure the proper care of patients.

·       Skill in reading 12-lead EKG.

·       Skill demonstrated in assigned disciplines such as EP, directly involved in patient care.

·       Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

·       Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.

·       Ability to listen and accurately interpret others’ communication or instructions to take appropriate action.

·       Ability to speak and communicate effectively. 

·       Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

·       Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.