What are the responsibilities and job description for the RN Home Care position at VITAS Healthcare Careers?
The VITAS RN is a member of the interdisciplinary team who work together to meet the physical, medical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs of hospice patients and families facing terminal illness and bereavement. The VITAS RN is designated to provide coordination of care, ensure continuous assessment of each patient’s and family’s needs and implementation of the interdisciplinary plan of care.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Case Management and Supervision
- Follows VITAS policies and standards (See VITAS Standards Manual) and practices within the scope of the RN license and has knowledge of hospice eligibility requirements.
- Reports any request to practice outside of scope of license to the manager/supervisor
- Supervision of (VITAS employed and contracted) nursing tasks delegated to Hospice Aides, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (and contracted Registered Nurses) and Volunteers per the plan of care
- Completes initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments including physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement in order to provide palliation of end of life symptoms
- Appropriately identifies/utilizes resources, referrals such as PT, OT, Home Health, Dietary, Pharmacy, Supplies, Home Medical Equipment, and other visits/consults
- Provides education and training to patients, families, caregivers and referral sources in the care of the patient, including pain management
- Participates in the on-call rotation and/or provides shifts during non-business hours such as evenings, weekends and holidays based upon program-identified needs
- Works with IDG to develop, coordinate, and follow the patient’s individualized plan of care
- Evaluates the outcome of services
- Appropriately delegates nursing tasks to Hospice Aides/Homemakers, Volunteers, and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses
- i. Connecticut –For activities other than those listed in section 19-13D69(d)(3) of the Connecticut Department of Public Health delegated to a Hospice/Homemaker, the RN will document in the clinical record that:
- All factors pertinent to the patient’s safety, including the competence of the Hospice Aide/Homemaker have been assessed
- Determination that this activity can be delegated safely to a Hospice Aide/Homemaker
- Participates in and monitors patient and family care compliance activities
- Professionally manages/coordinates the hospice plan of care
- Delivers care in accordance with the patient’s plan of care
- Provides primary nursing care for inpatient and continuous care patients as assigned
2. Quality Improvement
- Participates in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program and related activities as assigned. This may include, but is not limited to
- participation in Performance Improvement Project(s) (PIP)
- Gathering clinical data which is used for quality measures
3. Professional Development
- Develops and achieves professional growth goals and objectives personally and per Team Manager reviews
- Responsible for attending orientation and regularly scheduled in-services/educational conferences as assigned
- Participates in orientation of Hospice Aides, Volunteers and other IDG members as assigned
- Participates in training activities internally within VITAS and externally as assigned
4. Customer Service
- Maintains focus on the patient and family experience of care
- Serves as a patient and family advocate
- Reports patient/family/customer complaints to Team Manager
- Participates in patient/family/customer conflict resolution as applicable
- Represents the nursing profession, the VITAS site/location and VITAS overall in a positive manner
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Reliable transportation with adequate insurance coverage for driver and passengers.
- Telephone available (cellular or land line)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to:
- Assist in lifting and transferring patients, as required.
- Lift objects in excess of 20 pounds
- Stand or walk in excess of one hour per day
- Talk and hear
Specific vision abilities required by this job include:
- Close vision
- Distance vision
- Ability to adjust focus
QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently licensed to practice nursing in the state where the VITAS program is located.
- A minimum of one year of nursing experience.
- Equivalent experience or licensure may be considered
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATE
- EOE/AA M/F/D/V
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