Hospice House Nurse

** Night Shift Position **

Position Overview

The Hospice House Nurse is responsible for the provision and coordination of nursing care to patients residing in the Ida Emerson Hospice House (IEHH). Patient-centered care is provided in collaboration with other Interdisciplinary Group members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Actively participates in coordination of all aspects of patient’s care, in accordance with current professional standards and practice
• Participates in admission, discharge planning, and ongoing patient assessments
• Responsible for developing, evaluating and adjusting the patient’s Plan of Care (POC) as indicated
• Contributes to patient and family counseling and education
• Collaborates with physicians and staff regarding patients’ changing condition
• Oversees licensed vocational nurses and aides in the delivery of patient care
• Performs administrative functions relating to clinical records, care plans, QAPI, safety, infection control and mandatory abuse reporting requirements
• Provides support to patients/families regarding patient care services
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe environment for patients/families, and a safe working environment for self and coworkers.
• Participates in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program and Hospice sponsored in-service
• Fulfills duties of the Hospice Aide when necessary, including food preparation, requiring the completion of an ANSI/ASTM-2659 Food Handlers course.
• Adheres to Hospice of Humboldt’s patient care protocols in responding to patient’s concerns.
  • Orders rental equipment (or uses from Hospice stock) and is responsible for the documentation of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provided to each patient per Hospice policy.
  • Maintains communication with the patient’s physician(s) as needed for medical authorizations, pain and symptom management, changes to the Plan of Care (POC), and other exchanges of information.
  • Consults/coordinates with IEHH Clinical Manager for any Plan of Care assistance and Level of Care changes.
  • Informs family, physicians, staff, volunteers, and agencies regarding patient’s death.
  • In the outpatient setting, when doing home visits:
  • Provides and documents Hospice Aide supervisory visit documentation at every home visit.
• Other duties, as assigned, including, but not limited to:
  • may occasionally act as an on-call or triage nurse on weeknights, weekends, or holidays.
  • When acting as on-call nurse, assesses all patient and family calls in accordance with on-call procedures and make home visits to those whose issues cannot be satisfactorily handled by telephone.

Schedule Requirements

1. The Per Diem Hospice House Nurse must be available to work a minimum of two (2) shifts per month/schedule period. After-hours back-up On-Call shifts may be subtitled for work shifts with supervisor approval.
2. This position must be able to work all shifts - days, nights, weekends.
3. In addition to the regular schedule, the Hospice House Nurse must sign-up for one (1) back-up On-Call shift per month/schedule period.  The back-up On-Call shift is from 1700-0900.

Environmental Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Routinely performs procedures or other tasks that could involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials.
• Works with Hospice patients in the Ida Emerson Hospice House. May infrequently provide care for patients in home, SNF, and RCFE settings. The conditions in homes and facilities vary with each patient.
• Successfully performs the essential duties and responsibilities of the position through the use of physical activities as described below:
  • regularly requires sitting, standing, walking, talking, using hands, driving a car, listening and vision for close work.
  • regularly requires use of computer, keyboard, and related software applications.
  • regularly requires the use of the telephone.
  • occasionally requires reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and lifting/carrying up to 25.
  • occasionally requires pulling patients to the side of the bed on a draw sheet, to a sitting position from the supine, or forward and up out of bed or a chair in preparation for performing a standing pivot transfer.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program
• Current California Registered Nurse license
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience as a professional nurse within the previous three years or equivalent experience in a BSN program
• Valid driver’s license, proof of acceptable automobile insurance coverage, and reliable transportation.
• Reliable cell phone with local number and coverage
• Good computer skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an acute care environment
• Experience in hospice or home health
• Experience working effectively with an interdisciplinary team
• CHPN certification