General Statement of Duties:

The Registered Nurse (RN) provides nursing care to patients and families based on assessed needs reflected in the plan of care at the Hospice of the Panhandle Inpatient Facility in Kearneysville, WV. Serves in the role as a Charge Nurse. This position is Occasional Part Time (OPT) and does not have a defined schedule.

Shift:

Occasional Part Time (OPT)

Level of Responsibility:

Reports to

Inpatient Facility Nurse Manager Duties and Responsibilities:

Assesses physical, safety and psychosocial needs of patients and families as they relate to nursing problems for developing and updating the plan of care. Provides direct nursing care as directed by the plan of care, respecting patient/family autonomy. Maintains competency of complex nursing skills including, but not limited to, IV and central line maintenance, PEG, and G-tube use and care, draining of pleurx catheters, pig tail, and other drains, chest tube care and maintenance, tracheostomy care, and use of and weaning of Airvo System. Establishes and revises the nursing and hospice aide components of the plan of care with team collaboration and the consent of the patient and family and updates as appropriate. Serves as a resource to physicians on pain and symptom management. Educates patients/family regarding the progression of disease, pain, and symptom management, safety, physical components of care, stages of dying, and hospice philosophy. Documents assessment, nursing interventions and patient/family teaching according to guidelines reflecting the plan of care. Documents all other patient related information. Establishes and maintains good working relationships with the patient and family, the attending physician, coworkers, and outside agencies. Assesses the need for hospice aide services, develop aide plan of care and update aides as needed. Supervises aide care and documents the hospice aide supervision per regulations. Functions as part of an inter-disciplinary team recognizing, reinforcing, and enhancing the role of all disciplines within the team. Communicates with team to provide continuity of care. Provides updates to physicians as required. Able to take charge of the facility when necessary. Prepares and administers all medications, following established procedures and physician orders. Provides oversight for medication administration for LPN's. Maintains medication inventory, reordering from pharmacy or notifying families of need to reorder. Monitors and verifies new supply of medications for accuracy and completeness. Reports any discrepancies to the Inpatient Facility Nurse Manager. Assures narcotic count each shift according to established procedure. Reports any discrepancies to the Inpatient Facility Nurse Manager or Staffing Manager at the time. May function as hospice nurse in other settings as assigned, which includes monthly back up coverage. Enrolls patients in the hospice program as needed. Obtains and maintains a current Jefferson County Food Handler's Card. Participates in nursing staff meetings, in-services, and staff development to develop and maintain hospice expertise. As Charge Nurse, will determine if patients need evacuated and serve as the Hospice Incident Commander during an emergency until relieved from the role by a Senior Manager. Provides educational opportunities for professional students or new employees as assigned. Demonstrates competency as hospice nurse. Complies with the employee standards. Other duties as assigned. Denotes essential job functions.

Education & Experience:

Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the patient and family, the attending physician, coworkers, and outside agencies. Current West Virginia eNLC Registered Nurse license is required. Minimum of one year nursing experience, hospice or medical surgical nursing in an inpatient setting preferred. Able to provide own transportation, and a license to drive with current liability insurance. Driving record meets Hospice's insurance company standards. Able to demonstrate computer proficiency/competency.

Physical Qualifications:

Ability to transport self to office and patient care settings throughout the service area. Able to work 12-hour shifts. Ability to walk from car to patient's room in their care setting and perform essential job functions. Ability to lift and move patients and equipment. Able to lift 50 pounds. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English language. Ability to hear normal conversation in person and via phone. Ability to read normal or condensed print. Ability to use a computer Ability to withstand odors.

Equipment Used :

Telephone, electronic equipment, office equipment, medical equipment and patient supplies used for patient care. Location is Hospice Inpatient Facility in Kearneysville, WV. This position is Occasional Part Time (OPT) and does not have a defined schedule. OPT staff are required to work a minimum of 24 hours per quarter. An initial training period of approximately 2 weeks will be required.