Primary Function:
The Staff Nurse is responsible for providing skilled nursing care to hospice patients.

Training:
Orientation to Hospice, Home Care, Inpatient Care services and any other training that may be necessary to complete the assigned duties.

Supervision: Director of Home Care Services

Qualifications:
Associate degree or nursing school diploma required. Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred. Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care preferred. Licensed as a registered nurse in North Carolina. Maintain current valid North Carolina drivers license and maintain minimum automobile liability insurance for the duration of employment. Active patient experience within the past two years; bedside nursing outside of the hospital setting is desirable. Minimum of two years nursing experience is preferred. Ability to work as a hospice team member and function efficiently in a flexible work environment. Must be physically capable of providing patient care in a patients home and various institutional settings to include supporting, moving, and lifting adult patients, and lifting equipment and supplies. Must be certified to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). Must meet immunization requirements of North Carolina and Davidson County.
Job Duties:
Understand and commit to the Hospice philosophy of care, including the importance of treating the patient as a whole being, physically, psychosocially and spiritually. Work collaboratively with the hospice interdisciplinary team to develop the individualized plan of care for each patient/family, as assigned by clinical managers. Evaluate the patient/family needs, symptoms, and total condition in order to report accurately to the physicians and/or clinical managers in order that appropriate decisions may be made regarding the patient/familys care. Contact the patients primary care physician and/or Hospice Medical Director as needed regarding physicians orders for the care plan; he/she is also responsible for continued communication with physicians and other health care personnel concerning changes in medical treatment and all other aspects of patient care. Initiate nursing procedures appropriate for the patients care and safety. Teach and counsel the patient/family about the disease process, medication management, and provision of care for the patient. Supervise and train other nursing service personnel when assigned. Participates regular updates of the patients comprehensive assessment in order to meet new needs and insure quality and continuity of care. Provide hands-on nursing care to the patient and emotional support to the family as needed. Maintain accurate records of Hospice patient/family care services per Hospice of Davidson County policy. Participate in hospice staff meetings, interdisciplinary team conferences, staff development events, and educational programs. Relate professionally and courteously with patients, families, members of the Hospice of Davidson County staff and the medical community. Provide on-call nursing services as assigned. Assist with admissions as assigned. Participate in the Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement process and the ACHC accreditation process. In emergency situations, the staff nurse may be assigned to the Hinkle House to assist with patient care. Comply with all Hospice of Davidson County policies and procedures, including attendance and confidentiality standards. Other such responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Home Care Services and/or clinical managers. Abides by the North Carolina Nurse Practice Act. Participates in hospice sponsored in-service training. Participates on Hospice committees as needed. Performs job duties in accordance with all Hospice policies, procedures, and professional and community standards. Abides by the Hospice Professional Code of Conduct. Exhibits a collaborative and cohesive work ethic across both care settings. Exhibits a positive and helpful attitude across both care settings.

Nursing Facilities:
Works collaboratively with nursing facility staff, physician, and nurse practitioner. Attends Plan of Care meetings at skilled nursing facilities, as invited. Screens for medical appropriateness and performs initial nursing assessment. Member of nursing facility team must be able to work collaboratively and effectively in a team setting.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here 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 essential functions.

Physical demands:
Vigorous. Must be able to communicate effectively. Must be able to see, hear, smell, touch as necessary to assess patients' conditionand provide direct care. Continuous standing, walking, reaching, squatting, bending. Frequent lifting of 50-100 pounds.

Status and Hours of Work:
This position is classified as exempt. Usual working hours are 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, or as needed to perform duties. This position is not eligible for overtime pay.