Job Openings in Salem:

Registered Nurse

JOB SUMMARY:
Under physician's orders the Registered Nurse/Case Manager is responsible for identifying hospice care needs and for providing palliative and supportive care to the terminally ill patients and families. The Registered Nurse/Case Manager is also involved in the utilization of his/her teachings, assessments, observations, and intervention skills to provide comfort care and maximum quality of life to the patient and the family at home.
SUPERVISION:
• Supervised by: Patient Care Coordinator
• Supervises: Home Care Aide/Homemakers
• Works closely with: Hospice Staff
JOB SPECIFICATIONS:
• Education: Required: RN. Desired: B.S.N.
• Experience: Required: At least one year's experience as a staff nurse in an acute hospital or home setting, skilled in nursing practice, able to cope with emotional stress and tolerant of individual lifestyles. Desired: Experience in dealing with terminal patients and their families.
• Licenses, certifications and/or registrations:
a. Current Driver's License
b. Proof of current automobile liability insurance
c. Certificate of Liability with limits of 100/300/100
c. Current State Nursing license.
• Specialized knowledge and skills:
a. Humanitarian attitude and a good understanding of palliative care
b. Acceptance of the goals, mission and philosophy of Hospice
JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Assists in completing the initial assessment with emphasis on the physical and emotional needs.
• Provides direct care to patients in order to maintain the highest level of comfort and quality of life. Assumes primary responsibilities (as case manager of his/her individual patients) for the physical care of the patients always in conjunction with the physician's orders.
• Follows through with specific plan of care as established and modified by the Interdisciplinary Group with his/her individual comment/suggestions incorporated.
• Works with all disciplines in meeting patients' total needs.
• Participates in 24 hour, seven days per week call, as scheduled by the Patient Care Coordinator.
• Offers support and energy saving techniques to family members to facilitate stay at home versus
• . Participates in the bereavement program.
• Completes supervision of nursing care, homemaker/home care aide assignment sheets, as well as supervision and documenting the plan of care. Supervisory visits on home care aides every two weeks, supervisory visits on LPN's according to the state regulations (usually once a month).
• Will supervise Home Care Aides/Registered Nurse Externs.
• Teaches and counsels patient and family members regarding terminal illness.
• Communicates with the Patient Care Coordinator regarding renewal of physicians' orders, frequency, forms, etc. All communication regarding patients is always documented.
• Completes all forms, records, charts, etc., according to Hospice policy.
• Promotes health care by participating in Hospice's, as well as community health programs.
• Exemplifies familiarity with polices of Hospice and rules and regulations of State and Federal bodies which aid in determining policies.
• To educate, market, help recruit volunteers and participate with in-services to the community on hospice services, including but not limited to educating/marketing hospital discharge planners, nursing home Patient Care Coordinators', and doctors. Must be willing to participate in health fairs, and civic groups.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be able to perform full-range sedentary work requiring sitting, walking, and standing.
• Must be able to climb stairs, access and operate elevators, and access patient's homes which may not have conventional access accommodations.
• Must possess vision, hearing, feeling, physical strength, and dexterity necessary to perform all the duties of a Hospice Registered Nurse/Case Manager.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with individuals both verbally and in writing. Must be able to give and receive instructions and information, both in person and via telephone.
• Work requires exerting force of up to 50 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly in moving objects or materials.