Float Registered Nurse - Hospice in Petersburg, VA

Primary Responsibilities As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the Hospice Float RN works under the general direction of the DOCS and the referring physician/agency in the provision of skilled nursing assessment, admissions and planning and care in order to maximize the comfort and health of patients and families. The Hospice Float RN provides supportive care for patient/family needs in all areas of the plan of care as well as back-up for evening, weekend, and holiday on-call duties as needed. Essential Functions • Determines the eligibility of admissions consistent with CCH policies and admission criteria in conjunction with the Attending Physician and the Hospice Medical Director, preferably on the day the referral is received. All patients thought not to be eligible must be discussed with the Medical Director and the DOCS prior to the referral of the patient to other resources. This action must be well documented and maintained for up to six months unless the client expires before this date. • Establishes and maintains strong collaborative relationships with all referral sources including hospital Case Managers, nursing home staff, and assisted living facilities staff. Takes ownership of situations while communicating with tact and sincerity. • Responsible for assuming the role of Case Manager for all referrals and assisting families in all aspects of the referral and admissions process including working with other agencies to assure a smooth transition from acute care to hospice care. Orders authorized DME, determines medications related to the terminal prognosis and the arranging of any other resources needed to ensure the initial plan of care is completed as appropriate. • Re-evaluates the patient's nursing needs per visit and reports changes in the patient's physical or mental condition to the attending physician and to hospice employees and contractors involved in the patient's care. Informs the DOCS of unusual or potentially problematic patient/family issues. • Obtains data on physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that may influence patient/family health status and incorporate that data into the plan of care. • Maintains up-to-date patient records so that problems, plans, actions and goals are accurately and clearly stated, and changes are reflected as they occur. • Seeks input from other team members regarding the patient plan of care to obtain additional knowledge and support. • Accepts responsibility for coordinating physical care of the patient by teaching primary caregivers, volunteers, employed caregivers, or by providing direct care as appropriate, for nursing or personal care needs. • Attends IDG conferences and facilitates discussion of issues to update the care plan. • Provides appropriate support at time of death and during period of bereavement. • Participates in Crater Community Hospice orientation and in-service training programs for hospice employees assigned to the nursing service. • Participates in agency quality assurance reviews and evaluations of the nursing services and other community programs as requested to promote professional growth and understanding of hospice care. • Completes 15-day IDG care plans on all assigned patients and re-evaluates and prepares plan of care for MD review and signature. Knowledge, Skills, and Education Requirements • Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and licensed to practice in the state of Virginia. • Bachelor's degree in nursing preferred. • Experience in home health, hospice, oncology, or critical care preferred with at least 3 years’ experience as a registered nurse. • Current CPR certification. • Current driver's license in the state of Virginia. • Demonstrated ability to assess and respond to the needs of patients and families in varied settings with a supportive, sensitive approach. • Skilled in nursing practice, able to cope with family emotional stress and tolerant of individual lifestyles. • Interviewing and assessment skills to evaluate patient and family coping abilities. • Demonstrates familiarity with policies of the agency and rules and regulations of State and Federal bodies which aid in determining policies. • Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the organization's policies and procedures. • Well-versed computer literacy with in-depth knowledge and experience with electronic medical records programs. • Work requires the employee to travel outside the office and provide their own transpiration with mileage reimbursement from the agency. Work Environment & Physical Demands Situated in a professional medical environment and/or in patient homes of unknown environments yet may have the potential for locations in high crime areas, poor environmental conditions, and non-handicapped accessible sites. This role is frequently active with occasional lifting and/or carrying up to 50 lbs. The individual performing this job may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions. Frequent local travel with mileage stipend as required for patient care. Crater Community Hospice, Inc. Mission Focus All employees are responsible for extending the Crater Community Hospice mission: To share our passion for improving quality of life for those who are facing a life-limiting illness; as well as our core values of Compassion, Respect, Accountability, Teamwork, Empathy and Reliability.