Description

The RN is a professional registered nurse who functions as a primary nurse and has responsibility and accountability for quality nursing care in assessing, planning, implementing, educating and evaluating a designated group of patients. The RN is responsible for providing skilled professional nursing care to assigned terminally ill patients in their place of residence, as prescribed by the physician and in compliance with the standards of the Missouri Nurse Practice Act and the policies of St. Luke's Hospice. Mission: Faithful to our Episcopal-Presbyterian heritage and its ministry of healing, St. Luke's Hospital is dedicated to improving the health of the community. Using talents and resources responsibly, our medical staff, employees and volunteers provide care for the whole person with compassion, professional excellence, and respect for each other and those we serve. Core Values: Human Dignity, Justice, Excellence, Compassion, and Stewardship. Human Dignity: Demonstrates respect for the dignity and needs of patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers. Justice: Honors each person's rights and responsibilities by working as a team player to provide positive patient outcomes. Excellence: Demonstrates creativity and inventiveness in improving the ways in which work-related tasks are performed. Also strives for excellence in the services that he/she provides. Compassion: Demonstrates caring beyond 'It's My Job' and utilizes positive interpersonal skills. Stewardship: Demonstrates honesty and acts with integrity. Also demonstrates the ability to work in a safe, cost-effective and efficient manner. Communication Standards: Promotes and provides courteous and effective communication with internal and external customers.

Principle Accountabilities:

I. Assessment Planning:

Demonstrates the ability to appropriately assess the patient by: Admission assessment and history started at initial contact and completed within 24?-48? of admission. Seeks and obtains sufficient information necessary to function effectively in Hospice setting where patient/family/caregivers is requiring care. Provides professional skilled nursing care to terminally ill patients which includes initial nursing assessment, ongoing assessment of patient/family/caregivers for physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs and reporting to physicians when appropriate. Assists patient/family/caregivers with issues related to death and dying. Performs procedures and treatments using proper techniques and complies with standard nursing policies and procedures. Uses equipment properly to administer prescribed treatments

B. Documentation: Prepares current and accurate records showing treatments, teaching and training observations, patient responses in accordance with St. Luke's Hospice policy and procedures. The nurse may accept verbal and telephone orders from the physician involving any changes in original treatment plan, but they must be followed with written orders. 

C. Paperwork: Completes paperwork and record in a timely manner. Efficient with time, charting and reporting off to next shift.

II. Interdisciplinary Team & Plan of Care:

Develops plan of care in collaboration with physician's orders and interdisciplinary team. Establishes realistic and measurable goals, updating them when necessary. Evaluates plan of care frequently. Consults with physician, patient and interdisciplinary team regarding coordination of treatment, goal development and response to treatment.

B. Identifies need for other disciplines.

C. Attends and participates in interdisciplinary team meetings. Performs C.N.A. supervisory visits, and maintains supervision over C.N.A. assignment sheet.

III. Communication/Education:

Communicates with the patient's physician obtaining and implementing orders for medication and treatment changes - particularly in relation to pain management as prescribed. Instructs and explains plan of care to patient and family/caregivers, teaching as needed. Instructs and encourages patient efforts toward self-sufficiency and optimal comfort care.

B. Uses additional services when appropriate.

IV. Safety

A. Maintains clean, safe environment while performing tasks.

B Identifies and reports any safety needs or unsafe conditions.

V. Other Job Related Duties

A. Participates in QI (Quality Improvement) activities.

B.Participates in in-services, committees, workshops and seminars and other continuing education.

C Observes Policy and Procedures.

D. Maintains proper dress code and personal hygiene.

E. Has flexible work habits, and interacts effectively with others.

F. Participates in on call rotation.

G. Practices cost containment with time and supplies.

H. Assists Bereavement with phone calls, filing and bereavement visits when needed.

I. Assists with chart audits at St. Luke's Hospice when needed. Performs other work duties as assigned Scheduling Expectations: Employee is expected to work a set Monday through Friday schedule unless an emergency occurs. Employee is expected to take turns in the On Call rotation on the weekdays and weekends. Employee is expected to give enough notice for vacations to be granted. It is required to give at least a 2 hours notice when calling in sick when at all possible. In the event of an emergency please notify your supervisor immediately. Flexibility in shift, or day of week may be necessary to meet the 24 hour day, 7 day per week operation. Maintains acceptable attendance record per facility policy Meets annual compliance guidelines: Maintains confidentiality and support the basic right of privacy Attends annual compliance training Demonstrates safe workplace behaviors for self, co-workers and patients Uses appropriate body mechanics Use of facility provided safety devices/equipment Attends annual safely training Completes annual Employee Health requirements (PPD, etc.) Provides Patient Education Provides information and education to patients, families and visitors as appropriate to position

Education

Nursing Degree Required

License - Certification - Registration (Text Only)

Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Missouri Required.

Experience

A minimum of one year of general nursing experience required, with recent Hospice experience preferred. Experience with issues related to death/dying and bereavement preferred. Complies with accepted professional standards and practice. Understands Hospice philosophy; principles related to death, dying and pain management. Demonstrates ability to communicate Hospice services to physicians and hospital communities. Complies with St. Luke's Hospice status requirements. Has excellent observation, good nursing assessment and communication skills. Is self directed with the ability to work with little supervision. Has ability to provide good written documentation in a timely manner. Is flexible and cooperative in fulfilling role obligation and has ability to work within an interdisciplinary team. Must be a licensed driver.

Working Conditions

Employee is required to sit, stand and walk frequently, and to lift up to 50 lbs. frequently and over 50 lbs. occasionally. Job requires occasional bending, kneeling, reaching forward and overhead, and lifting floor to waist and waist to overhead. Procedures require use of both hands for grasping, pushing/pulling and fine manipulation; driving requires use of at least one foot. Employee must possess the ability to make accurate and appropriate judgments in assessing patient needs through on-site assessment and verbal reports. Employee is occasionally exposed to temperature changes, confinement to small areas, dust, noise, fumes, radiation and CRT terminal work. Employee has regular contact with agency staff members, physicians, hospital staff and general public. Contact frequently involves problem resolution. Employee regularly handles confidential information. Employee may be expected to document care and services into an electronic medical record. If utilizing an electronic medical record employee is required to synchronize data at the beginning and end of each work day. This may be done from the employee's home, a public domain or from the office. The most significant of duties are included but this does not exclude occasional work assignments not mentioned or developmental duties. Job Relationships:Interacts with patients, coworkers, St. Luke's staff, and physicians. Takes direction from: Provides direction to: Supervised by:Clinical Director/Administrator

Mission/Values

Mission

Faithful to our Episcopal-Presbyterian heritage and its ministry of healing, St. Luke's is dedicated to improving the health of the communities we serve.Using talents and resources responsibly, we provide high quality, safe care with compassion, professional excellence and respect for each other and those we serve.

Vision

As an independent healthcare network, we create healthy communities in the region through our commitment to high quality, safe and personalized services.

Core Values

Human DignityWe accept and treat all persons as being created in the image of God.  CompassionWe respond with caring to the needs of others as if they were members of our family.  JusticeWe honor each person's rights and responsibilities in light of the common good.  ExcellenceWe set and strive to attain high standards of performance and continuous improvement.  StewardshipWe use our talents and resources wisely, with honesty and integrity.