Chief Objective: As an essential member of the interdisciplinary team, the Registered Nurse (RN) will play a key role in caring for hospice patients and their families who are dealing with terminal illness and bereavement. The RN will be responsible for coordinating care; conducting continuous assessments of the patients' and their families' needs, and implementing an interdisciplinary plan of care.
Job Responsibilities:
1. For Case Management and Supervision of Registered Nurse (RN): - You will be expected to comply with VITAS policies and standards within the purview of RN license, which includes thorough knowledge of hospice eligibility criteria. - You will report any requests to practice outside the scope of your license to the immediate manager or supervisor. - You will supervise VITAS employed and contracted nursing tasks delegated to Hospice Aides, LP/LVN partners as well as contracted RN partners per the plan of care. - As an RN, you will be responsible for initial and ongoing full assessments such as physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement, to provide palliative care for end-of-life symptoms. - You will determine and use resources, referrals like Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), Home Health, Dietary, Pharmacy, Supplies, Home Medical Equipment, among others.
2. For Quality Improvement: - As an RN, you will participate in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program and related activities as assigned. - Participation in Performance Improvement Project(s) (PIP). - You will gather clinical data utilized for quality measures.
3. For Professional Development: - You will set and achieve professional growth goals and objectives personally and per Team Manager reviews. - You will be responsible for attending both the orientation and the regularly scheduled in-services/educational conferences as assigned.
Job Requirements: - RN must have reliable transportation with suitable insurance coverage for the driver and passengers. - RN must have a cell phone or landline phone available.
Essential Functions/Physical Demands: - The RN must be able to assist in lifting and transferring patients as needed. - The RN must be able to lift objects in excess of 20 pounds. - The RN must be able to stand or walk for over an hour per day. - Close and distance vision is required, along with the ability to adjust focus. - The RN will occasionally be required to sit and occasionally stoop, kneel, or crouch.
Qualifications: - Must be currently licensed to practice nursing in the state where the VITAS program is based. - A minimum two years of nursing experience in hospice, home health, or community health within the past five years is preferred.
Direct Reports: Reports directly to the Team Manager.