Sacred Journey Hospice

ON CALL REGISTERED NURSE

Job Summary: The On-Call Registered Nurse is responsible for evaluating and responding to the patient’s/caregiver’s needs after hours via telephone contact, home visits, and/or facility visits for assessment, symptom management, treatment, teaching and coordination of care as needed in accordance with the plan of care. On call also provides information on hospice services to potential patients and families; admitting patients to the Sacred Journey Hospice, Inc. program with completion of all admission paperwork on a timely basis.

Reports To: Director of Clinical Operations

Qualifications:

• Must be a Registered Nurse licensed to practice in this state who has at least two (2) years healthcare related experience. One (1) year in hospice preferred.
• Must have current Basic Life Support Certification
• Must have reliable transportation and maintain a current driver license in the state and maintain automobile liability insurance.
• Must be able to understand, read, write and speak English.
• Must be able to relate positively and favorably to the patients, families and outside agencies and to work cooperatively with other Employees.
• Must understand and accept hospice philosophy and be knowledgeable of pain and symptom control as related to terminally ill patients.
• Must demonstrate autonomy, organization, assertiveness, flexibility and cooperation in performing job responsibilities.
• Must comply with acceptable professional standards and practice.

Core Values: The employee is expected to model the Sacred Journey Hospice Core Values.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position carries a risk of exposure to infectious diseases requiring standard safety precautions.

Position will be required to walk, stand, sit and reach with hands and arms. May be required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. Requires the mobility to ambulate or lift a patient with or without the assistance of devices in excess of 75 lbs utilizing proper lifting techniques.

Requires specific vision concentration for charting/documentation and computer work.

Work Environment: The Position is a Mon-Fri; 5:00pm-8:00am schedule. Hours vary with occasional request to work additional days/hours as needed.

The employee may encounter stressful situations with patients and their families regarding end of life care. Frequent driving may be required.

May be required to visit patients in areas that have been classified as high risk by local authorities. At times you may be required to serve patients outside your regularly assigned region of our service area.

Environmental Conditions – Hazard Risk:
Frequently – Exposure to blood, body tissues, and other potentially infectious fluids
Frequently – Exposure to other hazardous waste materials
Frequently – Exposure to unpleasant odors as related to care of incontinent residents or wounds
Frequently – Exposure to latex, plastic and/or materials which are used for personal protective equipment
Frequently – Exposure to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity
Frequently – Exposure to microbial bacteria and other infectious agents inherent to care of ill patient

Responsibilities Include:

• Responsible for responding to the prn answering service when the hospice office is closed.
• Responsible for evaluating and responding to the patient’s/caregiver’s needs after hours via telephone contact, home visits, and/or facility visits for assessment, symptom management, treatment, teaching and coordination of care as needed in accordance with the plan of care.
• Make appropriate intervention either via telephone or visit to patient's home.
• Pronounce patients according to Hospice policy.
• Supervise HHA and document supervision as requited.
• Report to appropriate personnel via email all calls from hospice patients during afterhours.
• Routine visits to Hospice patients as assigned by Primary Nurse or Clinical Manager.
• Admit patients to Hospice as necessary.
• Documents in a complete and concise manner following documentation guidelines.
• Makes initial assessment of the patient and family upon admission and reviews the hospice benefit.
• Communicates to Director of Clinical Operations and RN Case Manager the needs of the patient and family upon admission, and any prn patient visits, to assure comprehensive care.
• Develops a written initial Plan of Care for each admitted patient in conjunction with the IDT, patient, family and attending physician, and adds to ongoing Plan of Care when making prn nursing visits to patients.
• Reports patient’s admission date, or prn visit findings to attending physician, and obtains verbal orders as needed.
• Completes and submits Informed consent/Election of benefits forms accurately and timely.
• Reviews services available with patient and family, including on-call services and volunteer services.
• Makes prn patient visits as needed for patients’ nursing needs, including, but not limited to pronouncements, wound care, follow-up care, and other nursing procedures as needed for continuity of patient care.
• Documents professionally, accurately, timely and according to Sacred Journey Hospice, Inc. policy, procedures and guidelines.
• Has a duty to report any potential misconduct or violation of federal or state laws and regulations to management.
• Has a responsibility to participate in staff training and education programs.

Locations: Georgia