RN or LPN, PRN(as needed) IPU, Nights & Weekends

Essential functions

• Must be capable of functioning independently as well as part of the team.
• Implement agency-approved clinical policies and procedures in all work-related situations.
• Demonstrates understanding of hospice philosophy and concept of care and considers the patient/family as the unit of care.
• Orients patient/family to hospice services, including identifying the role of team members.
• Identifies patient health problems by assessing psychosocial, spiritual, physiological, and health behavior systems.
• Participates in obtaining and documenting admission and assessment data.
• Documents findings accurately, in a timely manner, and on appropriate forms according to Agency procedures.
• Delivers nursing care to patients, which includes teaching, providing direct care, case management, referral, advocacy, monitoring pain and symptom management, and initiating appropriate interventions.
• Anticipates problems related to the impending death of the patient at the time of admission and pursues problem resolution, including bereavement follow-up for family members.
• Remains flexible for unit coverage and accepts responsibility under adverse conditions, such as weather-related crises.
• Participates in appropriate staff and holiday rotation.
• Follows orders from the patient’s physician and informs the physician and other team members of changes in the patient’s condition and needs.
• Coordinates care and services with other health care providers.
• Identifies the need for and obtains additional orders from physicians.
• Plans and implements patient discharge plans in conjunction with patient/family, nurse, physician, and Agency goals.
• Attend and participate in Patient Care Conferences or team meetings as appropriate.
• Recommends utilization of additional agency services and other community services as appropriate.
• Provides clinical supervision to LPNs and CNAs
• Instructs LPNs and CNAs on specific patient care procedures in accordance with approved Agency policies.
• Works in a cooperative relationship with other Agency staff.
• Seeks appropriate clinical supervision.
• Ensure proper initiation of the initial plan of care, evaluate outcomes, and coordinate revisions as necessary.
• Participates in Agency committees and task forces.
• Assumes responsibility for continued personal growth and development.
• Responsible for maintaining patient records in a timely and organized fashion.
• Seeks educational opportunities to improve clinical practice and participate in in-service programs.
• Adheres to all Stillwater Hospice policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Adheres to Stillwater Hospice privacy practices as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices.
• Participates in quality improvement activities and/or other agency committees or task forces when requested.

Critical skill sets and attitudes

• 1.
• Proficient and timely in all aspects of clinical documentation, including computer data entry.
• 2.
• Proficient in blood draws, all routine patient treatments (such as dressing changes, catheter care, etc.), pain and symptom management, and caring for patients and their families, including pediatric and HIV-positive patients; Mantoux administration.
• 3.
• Proficient in case management, all aspects of IV care, including programming of IV pumps, tubing changes, site care, and subcutaneous access.
• 4.
• Display compassion, be a team player, have an optimistic outlook, be adaptive, accountable, and customer-driven.

Marginal functions

• Provides personal care.
• Participate in Quality Assurance by reviewing patient records to ensure compliance.

Essential physical/Mental functions

• Lifting: Transfer patients into positions where they can perform daily care, personal hygiene, and grooming - Occasional to Frequent.
• Carrying: Personal hygiene supplies to and from the bathroom to the patient - Frequent. Linen for short distances - Frequent.
• Pushing/pulling/reaching: Readjust patient in bed - Frequent.
• Standing: While performing patient care - Frequent to Constant.
• Balancing: Needed for normal ambulation, climbing stairs, and for reaching - Occasional to Frequent.
• Stooping/kneeling/crouching/bending: To perform patient care - Frequent.
• Handling objects, i.e., soap, shampoo, toothbrush, comb, dressing - Frequent.
• Fingering: Pen, visit reports - Frequent.
• Opening: Bottles and jars - Frequent.
• Talking: To communicate with patients and family, and to communicate with supervisors and coworkers - Frequent.
• Hearing: To communicate with patients, coworkers, patients’ family, and supervisor - Frequent to Constant.
• Seeing: Constant. Ability to discriminate colors.
• Must have visual and hearing ability to comprehend written and verbal communication.
• Must be able to engage in clear, concise verbal/nonverbal communication.
• Must have the ability to remain calm in occasional emergency situations.
• Must be able to climb a minimum of three flights of stairs.
• Recognizes emergencies and has knowledge of emergency procedures, according to Agency policies.

Essential hazardous physical exposures

• Potential exposure to environmental pollutants.
• Potential exposure to infectious diseases, needle sticks, blood and body fluids, and hazardous waste.
• Potential threat of physical violence to self. (Security personnel available upon request.)
• Potential exposure to harm from pets visiting patients on the hospice unit.
• Must be willing to travel in inclement weather.
• Potential exposure to variable temperatures in the working environment.

Chemical or hazardous physical exposures

• Potential exposure to substances within the facility, including copy machine toner, VDT emissions, cleaning solvents, and medical supply chemicals.
• Potential exposure to chemical/cleaning substances in the hospice environment.

Essential personal protective equipment required

• Standard precautions will be consistently used for all patients. The employer provides protective clothing and equipment.

Other special considerations

• Must be willing to accept assignments without regard to disease or ethnic origin.
• Must exhibit dependability in areas such as attendance, tardiness, and timely performance of duties.

The published compensation range for this position reflects a good-faith estimate of starting base pay for full-time (40 hours per week) employment at the time of posting. The base pay may be higher or lower based on demonstrated job-related experience.

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Stillwater Hospice has been caring for the seriously ill of Northeast Indiana since 1888, and our goal is to foster the optimal quality of life through medical, spiritual, and emotional support for patients and their loved ones. We provide high-quality, patient-focused, and compassionate care that helps terminally ill patients and their families live as fully as possible. Providing hospice care allows patients and their families to have meaningful moments together.