Per Diem RN

Job Summary 

The Per Diem RN will provide high-quality, patient-centered care to individuals with terminal illnesses and their families. As a Per Diem RN, you may provide support in Case Management, Hospice Patient Admissions, overflow nursing, emergency visits and extra service visits as patients transition. Per Diem nurses could assist in delivering compassionate end-of-life care, managing symptoms, and supporting patients and their families through a challenging time. 

Accountability 

• This position reports directly to the Director of Nursing.

Job Duties and Responsibilities 

General: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

1. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the agency’s mission, philosophy and scope of services. 
2. Demonstrates knowledge and respect of rights and responsibilities by observance of patient/participant: Privacy, confidentiality and safety, including reporting of patient/participant abuse or neglect. 
3. Foster and maintain an effective working relationship between co-workers, patients, families, caregivers, and other professional members of the community. 
4. Demonstrates reliability by: Making every attempt to report to work on time and providing proper notification for absence or tardiness. 
5. Demonstrates ability to problem-solve and make decisions by: Assessing situations and considering all possibilities to resolve the issues then correcting the problems presented in a reasonable amount of time. 
6. Seeks guidance and direction as needed, utilizing proper chain of command. 
7. Demonstrates professionalism at all times by respectful interpersonal relationships with employees, patients, families, caregivers, referral sources, contractors, and community members. 
8. Demonstrates effective time management skills by: Coordinating activities to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency, willingness to adjust or revise work schedules as requested, seeking prior authorization for overtime, adhering to the policy for make-up time, completing assigned projects within specified time frames. 
9. Participates in Performance Improvement activities when requested. 
10. Works well independently and within the Interdisciplinary Team structure. 
11. Promotes a team approach through cooperation, mutual respect, flexibility and dependability. 
12. Ensures all regulatory standards for State, Federal and CHAP are met. 
13. Assumes responsibility for on-going personal development and continuing education. 
14. Completes monthly and annual trainings as assigned by the Governing Board, Director of Human Resources and/or Director of Nursing. 
15. Creates opportunities for new referrals and referral relationships when representing the company in the community. 
16. Supports the philosophy, objectives and mission of BeLoved Hospice. 
17. Stays current with all mandatory agency requirements. 
18. Attire to be consistent with the BeLoved Hospice dress code policy. 

Specific to Position: 

1. Visits potential patients to review and collect data for hospice admission.  Reports findings directly to the Chief Medical Officer and/or Hospice Physician for verbal certification of hospice admission or refusal of hospice admission.  Requests additional history and physical when necessary to assist the physician in making the final certification determination. 
2. Gathers, reports and analyses patient care data to create a comprehensive patient assessment and reports findings to the Hospice Medical Director for verbal certification of patient admission or refusal of admission. 
3. Immediately reports significant condition issues/safety issues to the Hospice Medical Director, the Director of Nursing and assigned interdisciplinary team. 
4. Communicates findings to the patients chosen Attending Physician and the hospice team. 
5. Appropriately educates patient, family and caregiver about hospice services. 
6. Assures that the nursing portion of the initial Plan of Care is based on a comprehensive review of the patient’s physical, psychosocial and residential surroundings.  
7. Follows the care plan of covering RN Case Managers.  
8. Ensures that the initial assessment includes a review of the patient’s pain and symptoms, history of interventions and response, and pertinent knowledge base of the patient, family and caregiver. 
9. Communicates patient findings to the assigned RN Case Manager and interdisciplinary team.  Works with the Director of Nursing or designee to ensure that the appropriate aide needs of each patient are met on admission. 
10. Able to effectively explain the hospice benefit to potential patients, their families and representatives. 
11. Works with patients and families or caregivers upon admission to create a realistic Plan of Care and set of treatment goals. 
12. Supervises and delegates duties to Certified Nurse Aides and Licensed Vocational Nurses when needed. 
13. Anticipates overall care needs of newly admitted patients as much as possible and coordinates with all hospice disciplines.  
14. Ensures that all regulatory standards for State, Federal and CHAP are met. 
15. Coordinates the development of the Initial Plan of Care with the Interdisciplinary team members. 
16. Presents new patient admissions at Interdisciplinary Team meetings, when available.  Otherwise, ensures that patient data is properly communicated to the assigned RN Case Manager or Director of Nursing so that proper report is given. 
17. Assesses and address depression and fear associates with terminal illness 
18. Facilitates communication among patient, family and hospice team 
19. Provides referral to community services and resources as needed 
20. Identifies caregiver strain which may necessitate respite care relief and/or support 
21. Provides personal care as assigned by the Interdisciplinary Team, Hospice Physician, Director of Nursing, which may consist of but not limited to: 
1. Patient Admissions 
2. Nursing Assessment/reassessment 
3. Medication management and administration and teaching 
4. Provides comfort measures 
5. Insertion/maintenance/removal of Foley catheters 
6. Insertion/maintenance/removal of various IV catheters for pain control/comfort 
7. Application/adjustment of oxygen, IV, NG, G-Tube and other invasive lines as ordered by the physician.  
8. Vital signs (B/P, T, P ,R) 
9. Assist with ambulation/transfers 
10. Follows the State of Oregon Nurse Practice Act during all patient care activities 
11. Follow policy and Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice for clinical care. 
22. Maintains a positive, compassionate and credible image during patient assessments and with referral sources. 
23. When available, works with the Director of Nursing to assist with overflow patient visits and emergency patient visits when no other nursing staff is available. 
24. Creates opportunities for new referrals and referral relationships when representing the company in the community. 
25. Able to work with minimal supervision but seeks guidance from a supervisor when needed. 
26. Other duties as assigned. 

Physical/Safety Requirements: 

1. Participates in emergency procedures, including disaster drills. 
2. Operation of equipment in a safe manner and shares responsibility for communicating safety violations or unsafe practices to management. 
3. Equipment Used: General office equipment (telephone, copy machine, computer, fax machine) and motor vehicles. 
4. Category 1 for potential exposure to blood/bodily fluids. 
5. 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 the essential functions. 
6. Utilizes appropriate PPE, as needed. 
7. Follow the designated plan of action in the event of a fire or other emergency/disaster/ 
8. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. 
9. Must have the strength and endurance required for sitting for lengthy periods of time. 
10. Must possess sight/hearing/speech senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position are fully met. 
11. Use appropriate body mechanics as needed for personal use. 
12. Utilize appropriate basic office equipment. 

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job. 

1. Must be currently licensed and in good standing as a Registered Nurse in the State of Oregon. 
2. Prefer one year experience as a registered nurse in hospice, home health or geriatric care. 
3. Ability to effectively explain the hospice benefit to a patient or patient representative. 
4. Must have reliable transportation and maintain auto insurance. 
5. Must have BLS (Basic Life Support) Certification 
6. Successful completion of background check pursuant to ORS 181A.195. 
7. Read, write and understand the English language. 
8. Must be able to handle frequent interruptions, problem solve, and have exceptional follow through skills.   
9. Must be able to cope with emotionally charged situations encompassing patients, families, caregivers, and team members.

Benefits

• Group Health Plan Medical Coverage, Dental, and Vision
• Employee Assistance Program, Life & AD&D Insurance at no cost to you
• Supplemental health benefits such as hospital confinement, accident insurance, and more
• 401(k) with employer match
• Mileage reimbursement
• Education reimbursement opportunities 
• Eight Paid Holidays
• PTO accrual of 120 hours per year
• Free Gym Membership
• KATANA safety device and support 
• and more!