The RN – IPU provides direct Inpatient Care in a clinical setting for terminally ill patient and their families while functioning within a medically approved plan of care. The RN will deliver services under the direction of the interdisciplinary team and be supervised by the IPU Manager.

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Accountability:

Reports to the Director of Education and Inpatient Services

Specific to the Position:

1. Fosters and maintains an effective working relationship between co-workers, patients, and other professional members of the community
2. Follows an individualized Plan of Care established by the interdisciplinary team for each patient
3. Manages overall care to assigned patients encompassing coordination of all hospice disciplines
4. Assists the hospice interdisciplinary team in establishing and maintaining the individualized plan of care and treatment goals for each assigned patient
5. Gathers, reports, and analyzes patient care data and implements care accordingly
6. Capable of giving an adequate report on patient’s condition to the Hospice Medical Director, members of the interdisciplinary team, other nurses, and supervisors, as needed
7. Immediately reports any changes to the Hospice Medical Director and interdisciplinary team
8. Reports unusual conditions, observations and pertinent information to the physician or Director of Nursing or RN Clinical Coordinator
9. Understands/provides principles of palliative care/pain management within the scope of practice
10. Complies with all documentation policies and procedures legibly and in a timely manner
11. Supervises and delegates duties to CNAs and LPNs
12. Participates in Interdisciplinary Team Meetings and other Performance Improvement Activities
13. With previously established physician orders, the RN may pronounce death
14. Calls coroner and/or patient’s mortuary of choice and completes process related to removal of body from location of death
15. Provides intervention and support as needed related to terminal illness and loss
16. Provides emotional and spiritual support and makes appropriate referrals to other team members
17. Assesses and addresses depression and fear associated with terminal illness
18. Facilitates communication among patient, family, and hospice team
19. Identifies caregiver strain which may necessitate respite care relief, and or support
20. Educates and assists the patient and family to complete Advance Directives upon patient/family request
21. Provides personal care as assigned by the Interdisciplinary Team, Hospice Physician, Director of Nursing and RN Clinical Coordinator which may consist of, but is not limited to:
22. Nursing Assessment/reassessment
23. Medication management, administration, and teaching
24. Providing comfort measures
25. Insertion/maintenance/removal of foley catheters
26. Insertion/maintenance/removal of various IV catheters for pain control/comfort
27. Application/adjustment of oxygen, IV, NG, G-Tube and other invasive lines as ordered by the physician
28. Vital signs (B/P, T, P, R)
29. Assisting with ambulation/transfers
30. Follows the State of Nevada Nurse Practice Act during all patient care activities
31. Follows policy and Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice for clinical care

22. Other duties as assigned

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General:

1. Adheres to patient rights, abuse reporting and confidentiality policies
2. Attends scheduled staff meetings and or in-service training
3. Adheres to departmental dress code requirements related to uniform, personal grooming, and other attire
4. Demonstrates reliability by making every attempt to report to work on time, providing proper notification for absence or tardiness and participating in required meetings
5. Demonstrates ability to problem-solve and make decisions by assessing situations and considering alternatives, seeking guidance and direction as necessary, and utilizing proper chain of command
6. Demonstrates effective time management skills by coordinating activities to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency, willingness to adjust or revise work schedules as requested
7. Assumes responsibility for on-going personal development and continuing education
8. Stays current with all mandatory agency and regulatory requirements
9. Completes assigned projects within specified time frames

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Work Environment/Physicality/Safety Requirements:

1. Must have the strength and endurance required for standing, walking, lifting, bending, and pushing on a consistent basis up to 50 lbs
2. Utilizes appropriate durable medical equipment and PPE as needed, in a safe manner
3. Uses appropriate body mechanics as needed for personal use and safe patient care
4. Category 1 for potential exposure to blood/body fluids. (Requires the performance of procedures or other tasks in the work routine that involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, or a potential for spills or splashes of them. Protective measures should be used while engaged in Category 1 tasks with exposure potential.)
5. Follows the designated plan of action in the event of a fire or other emergency/disaster
6. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, work-related stresses, and driving hazards.
7. The individual may be required to drive to meetings with clients or health care professionals, and to patients’ homes. A valid driver’s license and current auto insurance is required
8. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to meet the work environmental and physical demands listed above.

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Qualifications and Experience:

1. Must be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse by the State Board of Nursing in the State of Nevada
2. Prefer 1 year experience as a registered nurse in hospice, home health or geriatric care
3. Successful completion of a background check pursuant to NRS 449.188 and NRS 179A.100 along with a pre-employment drug screen and physical, TB testing, previous employment and reference checking, and an MVR (may include verification of education)
4. Must read, speak, write, and understand the English language
5. Must be CPR/First Aid certified
6. Must be able to handle frequent interruptions
7. Must be able to cope with emotionally charged situations encompassing patients, families, and other caregivers
8. Must be available for prescheduled on-call hours, weekends, and Holidays
9. Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and current auto insurance