RN, Palliative Care

JOB SUMMARY

The Palliative RN is responsible for the care and coordination of palliative care patients. The Palliative Care RN will provide direct support and assistance to the providers. The staff nurse directs and guides activities of ancillary personnel, and actively participates in the interdisciplinary team. The staff nurse demonstrates adherence with corporate values and standards of behavior.

PRINCIPLE FUNCTIONS includes the following, other duties may be assigned:

• Coordinates palliative care referrals to include identifying patient's physical, psychosocial, and cultural needs.
• Assist in obtaining community resources and equipment as needed.
• Assist in obtaining referrals to appropriate care agencies when requested by patient/family.
• Provide care planning/coordination to include complete initial and on-going assessment of palliative care patients. Effectively plan with appropriate members of the care team.
• Attend care conferences to assist in revising plans of care for patients.
• Maintain monthly telephone contact of palliative care patients to assess status, offer support, answer questions, and give direction.
• Monitor and update the Principal Care Management system using the Cross Tx platform. Follow all PCM patients through the month to update nursing care plan and time track.
• Offer and assist in coordinating emotional and spiritual support.
• Provide education to new employees, volunteers, physicians, families, patients, and nurses regarding palliative care services utilizing available education resources.
• Perform effective communication and documentation by the following: communicating and documenting interventions in accordance with EHR and organizational standards; utilizing recognized organization communication standard; keeping abreast of and complying with departmental and organizational changes and events through reading appropriate communications and attend unit and assigned meetings.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, investigate trends, recommend, and implement modifications to improve program effectiveness.

Assessment

• Applies knowledge of illness/disease, injury, health promotion and prevention in assessment process.
• Provides assessment which includes physical, psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects.
• Demonstrates inclusion of the family system and other available resources in the assessment process.

Planning

• Utilizes diagnosis and assessment information, applying knowledge of specific illness/disease, injury, human behavior, and appropriate standards of care in development of the plan.
• Demonstrates collaboration with patient/family, physician, and other providers as appropriate in the development of the plan.
• Develops plan of care and completes/submits required admission documentation in required time frame.
• Documents individualized and specific orders for nursing care.
• Develops individualized short- and long-term goals that are measurable, observable, and time-limited.
• Updates/revises plan of care based on ongoing assessment no less than every 60 days and following in-patient stays; more frequently as needed.
• Develops plan for patient/caregiver education and involves the patient/caregiver in development of that plan.

Implementation

• Implements nursing plan of care in accordance with established policies, procedures, and professional standards of care.
• Always utilizes appropriate infection control and safety precautions.
• Utilizes all available resources to meet patient/family needs both from within the agency and from within the community.
• Maintains/updates technical skills needed, including: IV skills/venipuncture, blood glucose monitoring, PT/INR monitoring, oximetry, wound/ostomy care, lab draws, etc.
• Maintains/updates knowledge and skills in ongoing symptom management, especially those related to palliative care.
• Documents nursing interventions, patient status, response to and effectiveness of care provided, utilizing approved documentation format for progress notes per agency policy and submits in a timely manner.
• Submits written physician authorization for all verbal orders.

Evaluation

• Evaluates effectiveness of nursing interventions, revising plans and goals as needed.
• Attends and participates in team conferences as required and provides efficient and effective updates and evaluations of care in progress.
• Demonstrates ongoing evaluation skills for safety of the home environment, providing recommendations and follow-up as needed.
• Demonstrates ongoing evaluation of the home as optimal point of care, identifying need for lesser or greater restrictive alternatives based on patient and family functional level.
• Seeks input from peers, interdisciplinary team members, supervisory staff, and physicians to adequately evaluate care on an on-going basis.
• Demonstrates evaluation of education provided, and revises plan/goals accordingly.

Professional expectations

• Strives for excellence in patient care and demonstrates:

• Acknowledgement of patient/family values and autonomy, building relationships based on mutual trust, respect, and compassion.
• Encouragement of independence and self-care in the patient/ family system.
• Evaluates personal educational needs and actively seeks supervisory input on an ongoing basis.
• Remains responsible and accountable for professional conduct and actions taken.
• Promotes good working relationships among Palliative Care staff, other hospital departments and other community providers.
• Demonstrates efficient and effective work habits, maintaining productivity expectations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of health care delivery systems, including reimbursement and coverage issues affecting patient care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and functions within the limits of State Nurse Practice Act; agency and organization wide policies and procedures; and standards of community-based care.

JOB KNOWLEDGE & QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• BSN preferred.

Training and Experience

• One (1) year recent Palliative or recent home care experience preferred.
• Minimum three (3) years general nursing experience, Oncology, Med/Surg or Critical Care experience preferred.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job to serve patients of all ages.
• In-depth medical-surgical nursing skills required.
• Must demonstrate ability to problem-solve and make decisions independently.
• Must demonstrate competence with required information and clinical technology.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Washington State DOH RN License required.
• Current BLS HCP required.
• Maintain a valid WA State Driver’s License, personal insurance, and is insurable with the District’s insurance carrier.
• CHPN Certification within 12 months.