Hospice Registered Nurse (RN)

Come join this collaborative and innovative team.  At Integritus Healthcare (formerly Berkshire Healthcare) you will enjoy WEEKLY pay, generous time off, exceptional health insurance, and the ability to grow in your career.  Integritus Healthcare wants you!

Pioneer Valley Hospice & Palliative Care (formerly Hospice of Franklin County) is growing into the Greater Springfield area and looking for experienced candidates interested in becoming part of our growing team!  Our goal has always been to support and care for those living with life-limiting illnesses so they may live as fully and comfortably as possible.  

Starting Salary Range - $40.00 and up based on experience

We are committed to the core principles of hospice: to compassionately care for patients at end-of-life.  We support the patient and caregivers by addressing physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and bereavement needs. We are dedicated to giving the very best care we have to offer to people wherever they are living – whether that be at home, in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or in the hospital.

Position Summary: The RN helps triage, coordinate, and administer hospice care for patients, families and caregivers through the utilization of hospice services and resources. The hospice RN is responsible for utilizing hospice and community resources to coordinate and drive services through a plan of care to meet the needs of patients and families.

Essential Job Functions

· Demonstrates understanding of the hospice philosophy/principles and an ability to clearly articulate these with others.

· Manages the plan of care from referral through discharge for assigned hospice patients and families per regulations and agency standards.

· Completes initial nursing assessment of patient/family to determine hospice needs.

· Provides complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).

· Initiates and implements plan of care in collaboration with patient/family with goals and interventions that promote optimal patient outcomes while maintaining patient dignity, autonomy, and comfort.

· Administers medications/treatments as prescribed by the physician. Observe/document responses to interventions and promptly communicate untoward reactions and modify the plan of care as indicated.

· In collaboration with interdisciplinary team, provides teaching and guidance to patient/family regarding interventions for pain and symptom management. 

· Coordinates patient care with team, family, and physician for assigned patients.

· Completes, maintains, and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care. Documents measurable outcomes related to symptom management.

· Completes patient discharges, both pronouncement visits and live discharges, to include the appropriate communication and documentation per regulations and agency standards.

· Appropriately documents at the point of service, synchronizes patient data and effectively communicates with the IDT.

· Communicate with the medical director and attending physician regarding patient needs and changes. Obtains physicians’ orders as required.

· Participatory member of Interdisciplinary team meetings.

· Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.

· Keeps supervisor informed of potentially problematic patient/family issues and significant changes in patient status.

· Demonstrates excellent communication skills in person, writing, phone, and computer. Provides exceptional customer service.

· Manages multiple priorities and demonstrates effective problem-solving and decision-making.

· Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development. Maintains and improves professional knowledge and skills through continuing education and in-services.

· Provides complete and timely nursing reports/handoffs to hospice staff, facility staff, and providers.

· Participates in agency Quality Improvement Program.

· Meets individual program expectations and goals as identified through performance appraisal, annual plan, and by supervisor.

· Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

(Minimum qualifications will be considered required unless specifically stated otherwise)

Experience:

· Minimum of one (1) to two (2) years of experience in health care.

· Experience in a hospice, or home health preferred.

· Experience in acute care in an institutional setting preferred.

· Understand hospice philosophy and issues of death/dying.

Education and Training:

· An associate’s degree in nursing is required.

· A bachelor’s degree in nursing is preferred.

License, Certification & Registration:

· Possesses and maintains current CPR Certification.

· Current Massachusetts licensure: Registered Nurse

· Valid driver’s license

· Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse Certification preferred