Resource Registered Nurse

Job Summary: The Resource Registered Nurse provides skilled professional nursing care, in person or telephonically, to the patient/family/caregiver in accordance with accepted standards of practice and organizational guidelines . Resource RN’s are assigned a location to work based on prioritized staffing needs and when unplanned needs arise.

Essential Functions:

• 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 if 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 personnel.

• Utilizes allocated supplies and resources appropriately to ensure business outcomes are met.

• Adjusts to changes in workload and schedules based on changing team priorities.

• Adheres to organizational Code of Conduct, policies, procedures, protocols and processes and all regulatory and legal requirements

• Adheres to the NorthStar standards to care for every person, every time, 100% of the time.

Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing with possession of a current license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the State of Michigan.

• Minimum of one (1) to two (2) years of varied nursing experience required; hospice experience and CHPN preferred.

• Skilled in nursing practice with demonstrated ability to assess and respond to the needs of patients and families.

• Ability to use technology (hardware and software) required of clinicians in their practice.

• Must be able to read, write and speak English fluently and be able to effectively communicate, orally and in writing, in internal and external relationships for all essential job functions.

• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, effective organizational, prioritization and follow-through skills, attention to detail, tact, dependability, emotional intelligence, and the ability to maintain confidentiality and promote positive, constructive relationships with communication and collaboration at all levels.

• Must be able to coordinate several tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high degree of efficiency and accuracy.

• Must be able to cope with family/caregiver emotional stress, cultural diversity, and be tolerant of individual lifestyles.

• The physical demands of the position include: vision, effective speech and hearing for extensive telephone contact; repetitive motion; traveling; driving or riding in motor vehicle for extended periods; standing, sitting, walking, bending, reaching, and stretching; lifting up to forty-five (45) pounds unassisted and the ability to assist in lifting patients using appropriate lifting techniques and/or devices.

• Proof of current tuberculin testing required. Patient contact will not be allowed until tuberculin clearance is documented.

• Must be able to work variable hours/shifts and/or days, including weekends. Must have the ability to occasionally work extended days, as necessary.

• Must have reliable transportation.

• Must be eligible to work in the United States.