Hospice: On Call RN

Summary of Responsibilities:

Responsible to the Director of Clinical Services. The after-hour on-call RN Case Manager provides hospice nursing care and case management to patients and families within and outside of the Aspire for Well-Being^® Hospice.  Performs Hospice admissions, makes patient visits, takes calls from the answering service, and deploys back-up on-call nurse as needed.  Supervises HHA to deliver care and coordinates care delivery.

Essential Functions/Duties:

• Completes an initial, comprehensive, and ongoing assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs.   Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).


• Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of the nursing process.


• Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by:


• Writing and initiating care plans


• Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs


• Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary


• Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.


• In conjunction with the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis, and incorporates palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and the family in the planning process.


• In conjunction with the Physician, adds medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the Patient’s plan of care.


• Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.


• Provides health care instructions to the patient/family as appropriate per assessment and plan.


• Participate in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy.


• Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services
  are available.


• Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.


• Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and Inservice classes.


• Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.


• Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities


• Participate in and complete all required ongoing training, including monthly online and in-person training, annual skills competencies education, and role-specific certifications, to ensure continued competence and adherence to organizational and regulatory standards.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision.


• Demonstrates excellent observation, problem solving, verbal and written communications, nursing skills per competency checklist.


• Shows ability to organize and prioritize workload independently.

Core Values:

1. AMBASSADOR: Represents The Highlands at Wyomissing® in a positive light with integrity. Takes pride in our community.


2. COMMITMENT: Dedicated, adaptable, tolerant, dependable, focused, and passionate. Often does more than is required. Reports to work as scheduled and timely.


3. COMPASSIONATE: Is empathetic, mindful, and kind.


4. INNOVATIVE: Is curious. Identifies new methods and efficiencies.


5. RESULTS-DRIVEN: Has a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and completing work. Exerts unusual effort over time to achieve a goal. Maintains commitment to goals in the face of obstacles and frustrations.


6. TEAM ORIENTED: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals.

The Highlands’ Traditions (Customer Service Expectations):

1. SAFETY: Practices safe behaviors to ensure the safety of all.


2. KINDNESS: Projects a positive image and energy. Courteous and respectful to all. Goes above and beyond to exceed customer expectations.


3. SHOW: Takes pride in self-appearance. Stays in “character” and performs the “role in the show.” Ensures work area is show-ready.


4. EFFICIENCY: Performs role with consistency and efficiency. Uses time and resources wisely.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Position is on-call exempt. Schedule will be seven days on and seven days off. Monday through Friday morning the hours of operation are 4:30pm to 8am. Weekend hours of operation are Friday 4:30pm to Monday 8am. Holidays will alternate per year to include one winter and one summer holiday.

Travel:

• Travel may be expected for this position, including some local travel in the communities surrounding The Highlands campus.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High school Diploma or GED (Required)


• PA Registered Nurse License (Required)


• Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state or organization requirements and is in good working order.


• A minimum of two years’ experience, at least one of which is in public health, home care, or hospice nursing (Preferred)


• CPR Certification (Required)


• Completion of the Highlands Hearthstone Ambassador training within 30 days of employment (Required)

Work Authorization/Security Clearances:

• Medical Screening


• Criminal History Clearance


• FBI Fingerprint Clearance (Only required if you have not lived in PA for the last 2 years)


• Immigration and naturalization (I-9) Clearance


• Valid Pennsylvania Driver's License and acceptable MVR (if operating company vehicle)

Physical Requirements and Physical Demands:

• While performing duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to climb, kneel, pull with force, reach above head, reach above shoulder, push/pull (up to 100+ lbs.), lift from floor level up, lift from waist level up, lift above shoulders/head, ability to lift, push, pull with assistance (mechanical or co-worker) the weight of the average patient specific to department, Lifting 25 lbs. maximum and frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 lbs.

Safety Hazards and Physical Environment:

• May be exposed to blood borne pathogens - High Risk


• May be exposed to communicable diseases


• May be exposed to moving mechanical parts


• May be exposed to potential electrical shock


• May be exposed to toxic, caustic, chemicals, and / or detergents


• May be exposed to rare occasions during which it is necessary to interact with a resident exhibiting aggressive behavior.