Hospice House RN - Per Diem

Hospice of San Joaquin is the oldest not-for-profit hospice of 40 years.  We serve all of San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.  We are committed to continue to be the leader in ensuring quality of the journey, from serious illness through end of life and to honor our mission by honoring life by ensuring patients and their Caregivers are the focus of everything we do.  We are seeking a Dynamic skilled, self-motivated Hospice House RN GIP - Per Diem who thrives in a fast paced environment and to support our mission.  

Achieves the basic purpose of the job and fulfills the responsibilities as described in the position summary. Under the direction of the attending physician and Medical Director (or Hospice Physician, Nurse Practitioner) and in conjunction with the interdisciplinary group, the main role of a Registered Nurse (RN) is providing direct nursing care and coordinating related assistance for patients and families.  Although the RN reports to a primary manager, Hospice of San Joaquin expects the RN to function as a Team Leader of the In-Patient Facility;  the RN provides nursing care to patients who require GIP level of care for end of life symptom
management and pain control.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
 Assesses all aspects of the patient’s pain and develops an individualized pain management plan.
 Anticipates prevents and treats undesirable symptoms or secondary symptoms.
 Supports instruction and educating the patient, family and caregiver.
 Documents problems, nursing assessments, appropriate goals, care provided, care interventions, and patient and family outcomes achieved from intervention and care provided
 Coordinates all patient and family services and community resources, in collaboration with Social Service team.
 Maintaining the dignity, confidentiality and privacy of the dying patient.
 Supports the patient’s unique spiritual and cultural beliefs, collaborating with MSW and/or Chaplain to meet these needs.
 Provides holistic, family-centered care across treatment settings to improve the quality of life.
 Consults and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and others involved in the patient’s care
 Coordinates and manages patient care with awareness of insurance benefits, necessary authorizations and cost containment.
 Attends and presents appropriate patient-related information at the Interdisciplinary Team Meetings that focuses on open care plan problems.
 Updates the comprehensive assessment and patient’s progress towards desired outcomes daily
 Reassesses patient’s response to care/interventions.
 Completes patient-related documentation within a 12 hour shift.
 Adheres to and complies with state and federal regulations, as well as accreditation standards.
 Provides patient and primary caregiver education/training, as appropriate, for care and services identified in the Plan of Care.
 Adheres to evidence based standards of practice that are endorsed by the agency.
 Remains knowledgeable in Hospice COPs and specifically the requirements for general in patient level of care.
 Understands the patient’s rights

 Adheres to all Hospice of San Joaquin Policies and procedures to include following Hospice of San Joaquin infection control procedures and code of ethics.
 Additional duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Demonstrates the skills, knowledge and ability necessary to be successful in the job as outlined in the positions requirements.
Must have the ability to perform a complete nursing physical assessment, develop and comprehensive care plan and respond to the needs of patients and families in the Hospice House setting. Must be able to cope with patient/family emotional stress and be tolerant of individual lifestyles without judgment. Must have the ability to establish professional boundaries and maintain cooperative relationships with professionals. Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal communication skills, customer skills, initiative, dependability, and good judgment. Must be able to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team, as well as independently, and problem solve in crisis situations.

FOR CLINICIAL POSTIONS: Field Visit Observation
Demonstrates clinical competency as observed during annual tracer visit.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
 Current California Registered Nurse License required.
 A minimum of one year of experience working as a professional nurse. An acute clinical setting is preferred.
 CPR Certification required
 Must have current California Driver’s License and a care in good working condition
 Prior experience in hospice and/or home care preferred
 Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse Certification highly desirable
 IV knowledge and expertise desirable

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
1. Health Screening
2. TB Screening
3. Hepatitis B Series offered
4. Background Check
5. Reference Check

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
1. A current license in the State of California as a Registered Nurse.
2. One year recent clinical experience dealing with acute care patients preferred. Six months or more of home care or Hospice experience preferred.
3. Ability to set priorities, organize work independently.
4. Ability to make independent clinical decisions.
5. Knowledge of medications, indications, dosage ranges, side effects and potential toxicity.
6. Skill in nursing practices with understanding and knowledge of Hospice care and committed to the philosophy and goals of the program.
7. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
8. Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

PHYSICAL AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
1. Ability and willingness to drive own vehicle, have a valid California driver’s license and have automobile insurance which meets State standards. All employees, volunteers, consultants and consultant volunteers who drive need to provide Hospice of San Joaquin with evidence of insurance. This is necessary to be covered on the agencies non-owned auto policy.
2. Ability to safely maneuver equipment (wheelchairs etc.) and assist family/caregivers with transferring and ambulating patients when necessary.
3. Implements personnel policies as they relate to nursing staff.
4. Physically able to walk, stand, stoop, sit and lift.
5. Good manual dexterity
6. Visual/hearing ability sufficient to comprehend written/verbal information
7. Able to tolerate driving in a car for long periods of time.
8. Able to negotiate steps and non-paved surfaces to reach patients.
9. Able to move patients and/or bend over bed or wheelchair bound patients while providing care.