Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.

Job Summary

Utilizes the nursing process to provide hospice and palliative care to the terminally ill patient, regardless of their age, and supportive care to the patient's family in the Hospice House. Adheres to all compliance and policy and procedure requirements of the organization including, but not limited to licensure renewal, assigned training, employee health screenings, time and attendance policy, dress code policy, patient confidentiality, infection control, medication administration. Demonstrates knowledge of regulatory agency requirements (The Joint Commission, DHEC). Provides care within the scope of the SC Nursing Practice Act.

Essential Functions

• All team members are expected to be knowledgeable and compliant with Prisma Health's purpose:  Inspire health.  Serve with compassion.  Be the difference.

• Assesses patient physiological, psychosocial, developmental, environmental needs, and the families' need for supportive care. Considers the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the patient/family when assessing the patient's needs. Assesses pain and other symptoms. Offers input into the interdisciplinary Plan of Care based on assessments. Provides assessment to physician. Documents assessments in the medical record.

• Develops an individualized nursing and a CNA plan of care, as needed, seeking input from the patient and family. Monitors and updates the plans of care, as needed, due to changes in status and family needs.

• Assess for, and provides education to, patient/family. Monitors the patient's/family's need for additional services and refers to other members of the hospice team.

• Develops a plan of care for the time of death that meets the express wishes of the patient/family.

• Performs appropriate nursing interventions with thorough and timely documentation in patient's chart.  Utilizes standing orders and medical authorization guidelines to guide practice.

• Reports assessment findings and changes in patient's condition to physician; makes recommendations.

• Recognizes the family decision-making role and patient's right to self-determination.

• Oversees CNA's performance of the Plan of Care according to requirements.

• Evaluates the effectiveness of specific interventions and the resulting movement toward goals. The evaluation process is reflected by patient's response to any treatment and/or medication administered, patient's disease progression and family's response to change, patient's progress toward goals and achieved outcomes, patient/family response to teaching, family caregiver's potential and current ability to cope with the physical and emotional demands of their role in patient's care, and cultural needs and/or developmental needs. 

• Understands the importance of continued support for the family during the process of bereavement through bereavement follow-up with patient's family, supporting the bereavement POC, attending funeral, visitations or memorial services whenever possible, and attending scheduled bereavement program events, supporting those families served. Is knowledgeable of the process of grief/loss and demonstrates appropriate supportive interventions.

• Facilitates continuity of care with other team members and other agencies through accurate and timely exchange of information.  Communicates on a regular basis with all staff/volunteers regarding patient status. Communicates with physicians and others, as needed, to coordinate and ensure quality care. Provides ongoing communication with all Hospice team members. Attends and participates in team meetings, briefings and other related activities.

• Communicates verbally and in writing with pharmacy, DME vendors, material management and insurance companies to help control agency costs.

• Documents all clinical findings, interventions, physician orders, changes in the Plan of Care, telephone calls, team conferences and referrals.

• Initiates POC at time of death and notifies all appropriate persons/agencies. Completes all discharge paperwork.

• Performs admission, evaluation visits and consultative services as requested.

• Works on various projects and committees as requested.

• Educates the public regarding end-of life issues.

• Assists with the orientation and training of students/new employees/Volunteers.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities

• This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director or executive.

Minimum Requirements

• Education - Associate degree in Nursing

• Experience - No experience required. Two (2) years Acute Care Nursing preferred. Experience in hospice or other home care services preferred 

In Lieu Of

• NA

Required Certifications, Registrations, Licenses

• Holds a current RN compact/multistate license recognized by the NCSBN Compact State or is licensed to practice as an RN in the state the team member is working.

• BSN preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• NA

Work Shift

Variable (United States of America)

Location

Hospice Of The Foothills

Facility

1067 Hospice - Upstate

Department

10686050 Nursing Service

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