Weekend Visit Nurse Thurs - Sun - Hospice of Santa Cruz County

Job Summary

The Weekend Visit Nurse (VN) participates in providing staffing coverage including, but not limited to: team visit coverage, and Admissions support. The position is on Thurs - Sun (4 days, 8 hour days)

Working in collaboration with the PCM, Lead Weekend Nurse and Triage, the VN responds to pt/family needs as identified providing phone instruction/support or visits as needed. Care provided is based on an individualized Plan of Care developed by the IDG that reflects pt/family goals.

The VN demonstrates: flexibility and ability to manage multiple competing priorities; competence in admissions as well as case management; consistent communication with PCM, Triage and other team members regarding patient care throughout the day, clinical competence in pain and symptom management; and fiscal responsibility in the planning and delivery of services.

Essential Responsibilities

Patient/family Care

• Recognizes the patient and family as the "unit of care" and IDG members
• Respects patient right to self-determination and acts as an advocate within the context of the values and ethical standards of HSCC
• Makes visits per agency policy
• Makes home visit at time of death
• Utilizes nursing process in providing primary care to pt/families, and professional patient management to facility staff
• Documents all care and care planning per agency policy
• Provides nursing interventions for pt/family as ordered by the physician and in accordance with the POC, safe nursing practice and the policies and procedures of HSCC
• Monitors management of pain and symptoms in collaboration with patient/family, facility staff, IDG and physician to achieve maximum comfort
• Administers medications and treatments as ordered prn
• Instructs and supports pt/family unit and facility staff re: symptom mgmt, patient care, disease process & death/dying

Admission Visits

• Meets with patients & families in all settings to explain services, answer questions and admit patient as appropriate
• Develops and implements an individualized, interdisciplinary Plans of Care for patients and families
• Uses electronic medical record (EMR) systems effectively and efficiently to complete required documentation in a variety of patient care settings

Secondary Responsibilities

Quality Improvement

• Meets all standards and requirement as indicated by licensing and accrediting agencies
• Participates in activities that affirm, enhance and develop the highest quality standards for HSCC
• Participates in developing standards for quality patient care within HSCC
• Participates in Quality Assessment & Improvement activities as requested
• Performs other related job duties as assigned by Supervisor

Compliance

• Ensures all HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and all other regulatory/compliance requirements are understood and followed
• Submits all appropriate documentation as required for compliance including RN license auto insurance; driver's license, a good driving record, TB checks completed annually

Requirements

• Require current California RN license

• Required to attend regular meetings and in-services
• Critical thinking
• Familiarity with electronic charting programs and/or demonstrated keyboard and computer skills sufficient to utilize electronic medical record charting.
• Submits verification of current RN license
• Drivers license current and maintains a good driving record
• Ensures TB checks are completed in a timely manner; at least annually
• Maintains BLS certification
• Satisfactory results form all background and reference checks

Education/Experience

• Degree in Nursing from an accredited college
• 2+ years RN experience in hospice, oncology, medsurg, ICU, ER, skilled nursing facilities or homecare
• Acute care experience preferred
• Hospice and/or home health experience preferred
• End-of-life and pain management experience preferred
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred but not required
• Previous experience in hospice or palliative care preferred

Physical Demands

• Sufficient dexterity to utilize electronic record keeping systems, computers/keyboards and or laptops and other related equipment
• Ability to travel to patient locations; includes ability to drive, negotiate stairs and walkways including uneven surfaces at private homes or facilities
• Vision ability to read manual and electronic documentation, medications, charts, office related equipment, and instructions
• Hearing ability within normal range to elicit and detect pertinent information while communicating with patients and health team
• Speech to verbally communicate to assess and impart information concerning patient status; to complete patient/family teaching and to interact with health care team

Work Environment/Environmental Condition

• Performs services in private homes and care facilities and will experience a variety of settings and situations
• Office work is performed in combination of private homes, care facilities and office environment.