DescriptionProvides skilled nursing care in response to patient/family crisis calls and participates in interdisciplinary care. The position requires good listening and communication skills, along with the capability in assimilating seemingly unrelated activities into a cohesive whole structure. It is essential that the RN have the ability to triage calls according to their importance.
- Receives all patient-related calls from the answering service.
- Triage patient calls and provides home or in-patient visits for unexpected changes in condition, deaths, disposal of narcotics, and when patients need warrant.
- Supervises and gives reports to weekend LVN/Aide.
- Contacts secondary on-call RN to report patient-related calls when a backup is needed, for all referrals received, when other disciplines are needed, and matters unrelated to patient care.
- Contacts Administrator on-call for status changes when secondary RN cannot be reached.
- Facilitates hospice transfer to in-patient setting, notifying hospital or skilled nursing facility admissions department/supervisor and/or emergency room of patient's identity.
- Attempts to contact the patient's assigned volunteer when the patient is actively dying.
- Notifies team members of all deaths on voicemail.
- Assesses client outcomes.
- Attends death, pronounces time of death, provides emotional support, provides post-mortem care and does patient discharge.
- Answers patient/family questions and concerns relative to hospice care and services.
- Teaches, supervises, and counsels patient/family/caregivers regarding physical care, symptom management, and pain control.
- Actively participates with the IDT in the development of care plan as appropriate. Attends IDT.
- Documents clearly and concisely in a timely manner.
- Receives report at initiation of shift and reports shift interventions to backup RN by 8:00 AM.
- Practices only within the designated Scope of Practice as defined by the Texas State Board.
- Recognizes and reports situations of potential harm to the patient.
- Participates in continuing education opportunities and in-services.
- Provides a safe and comfortable environment.
- Maintain the patient's and family's right to privacy and confidentiality at all times.
- Works non-judgmentally with patients and families of various cultures, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds and lifestyles.
- Deals effectively with difficult situations by using negotiation skills to resolve conflict.
- Exhibits good listening and comprehension.
- Treats patients, families, and staff with respect and compassion.
- No gossip, does not harm others in conversation.
- Performs other responsibilities as assigned.
This position requires endurance to perform tasks over long periods of work hours and the ability to perform essential functions without posing a direct threat in the workplace. Must be able to lift 55 pounds.RequirementsCurrent license to practice as an RN in the State of Texas. At least one year of experience as an RN is preferred. Must be willing to travel and take after-hour calls.