Resource Registered Nurse

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Graduate of an accredited school of professional (registered) nursing. BSN preferred.

• Maintains license as a Registered Nurse from the State of Michigan.

• At least one (1) year's general nursing experience is required with current Hospice, medical, surgical, or critical care experience.

• Maintains current BLS certification.

• Experience with issues concerning the terminally ill, and death/dying, and pain and symptom management.

• Has presented a negative TB skin test and/or chest X-ray and other tests as required by Centrica Care navigators.

• Maintains a valid Michigan driver’s license and has the availability of a reliable, licensed and insured vehicle for use on the job, vehicle must be insured in accordance with the State of Michigan.

• Remains up-to-date on all routine immunizations required by LARA and agency policy.

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Resource RN provides skilled professional nursing care, in person or telephonically, to the patient/family/caregiver in compliance with regulations established by the Michigan Board of Nursing and the policies of Centrica Care Navigators. Resource RN’s are assigned a location to work based on prioritized staffing needs and when unplanned needs arise.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Seeks and obtains sufficient information necessary to function effectively in the Hospice setting where patient/family/caregiver requires care.

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

• Conducts on call/emergent nursing assessments and scheduled visits to assure the highest level of physical and emotional comfort for the patient.

• Performs symptom management based on verbal assessment to ensure the highest level of physical and emotional comfort for the patient. When appropriate, offers and completes a home visit.

• Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by:

• Writing and initiating a plan of care

• Initiating orders for mediations and durable medical equipment, as prescribed by the attending physician or designee

• • Applying preventative and therapeutic nursing procedures and techniques as appropriate for the patient

• Revising the plan of care an necessary

• Communicates with Provider and members of the interdisciplinary group regarding ongoing patient needs and changes to the plan of care.

• Documents all communications and services in an accurate and timely manner in the electronic medical record.

• Arranges for DME/supply delivery, medication refills, and the ordering of tests as prescribed by the provider.

• Processes workflow for electronic medical record as needed.

• Uses supplies and equipment effectively and efficiently.

• Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optimal comfort.

• Increases patient/caregiver confidence by providing education and psychosocial support. Individualizes the patient/ caregiver’s self-care techniques as appropriate.

• Provides medication, diet and other education as ordered by the attending physician or designee and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients/families/caregivers. Works together with the other members of the Interdisciplinary Group.

• In partnership with family/caregiver and colleagues, maintains a safe environment for the patient.

• Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and the Interdisciplinary Group members to provide continuity of care and meet the emotional needs of the patient/family/caregiver.

• Performs within the limits of preparation and experience.

• Accepts responsibility of assignment to perform a specialized procedure, only when qualified with specialty training, proven competency, clinical back­ground, and expertise in the specialty area.

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

• Stays informed about changes in the field of Hospice care; shares information with appropriate Hospice personnel and administrative personnel.

• Facilitates positive community relations by providing excellent customer service; maintains a good standing in the community.

• Completes additional tasks as assigned such as chart audits, workflow, infection control logs, etc.

Duties

• Actively participates in organization-wide performance improvement activities.

• Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ standards of personal and professional conduct.

• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the Hospice philosophy of care, agency mission, and vision.

• Ensures that all necessary information is shared with appropriate personnel.

• Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ Workplace Safety Program.

• Understands and complies with Hospice Medicare and Medicaid conditions of participation.

• Complies with applicable local, federal and state regulations, Quality Partners standards, compliance guidelines, privacy protections and protected health information.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

TYPES OF EQUIPMENT USED

A wide variety of medical/clinical equipment, tools, supplies and computers.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS

• Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills critical thinking skills, and nursing skills.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Ability to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values.

• Good internal and external organizational sensitivity.

• Strong clinical skills with emphasis on physical assessment, symptom management and therapeutic communication.

• Proper phone etiquette and customer service is emphasized in interactions with all internaand external customers.

• Able to make sound clinical judgments and act upon them in a timely manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office, multi-office sites, and floors.

• In and out of automobile.

• Community, adult day facility, and home environment, including adult foster care homes, assisted living, nursing homes, or other residence of the patient.

• Exposure to infectious disease.

• Frequent telephone activity.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

A typical workday includes intermittent sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, twisting, and occasionally carrying 0 - 50 pounds (1 to 33% of time), pushing, pulling, and repetitive hand motions associated with writing and computer keyboard typing.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Hospice personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, Centrica personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities. All personnel must attend mandatory educational programs.