ROLE:  

To provide quality, compassionate care to patients and families by providing holistic care to alleviate end-of-life symptoms,  provide education on disease trajectory and aggressive support in the home, patient care units and community nursing facilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

· Be available and respond back to communication within 15 minutes 

· Assess each patient and family situation for severity and respond appropriately 

· Communicate with team members and patient care unit staff on a regular basis 

· Evaluate the physical, financial, psychological, spiritual and pre-bereavement needs of the patient/family in coordination with interdisciplinary team 

· Determine patient’s eligibility for hospice care with AMOREM providers, admit if appropriate.

· If patient is not appropriate, recommend other services available, with referrals to other community agencies, as appropriate 

· Educate patients and family about services 

·  Coordinate the development of the plan of care with goals defined by the patient/family and the hospice team updating as changes occur 

·Coordinate medication administration, education and assure accuracy 

· Communicate patient/family information to the interdisciplinary team 

· Update the plan of care as patient condition changes 

·  Provide nursing services according to the plan of care  

· Evaluate the need for other services and make a referral as needed in coordination with the social workers 

· Teach the primary caregiver/family by role model, repetition and reinforcement 

· Provide ongoing supervision along with assessment of continuing needs for patient/family teaching 

· Instruct caregiver in hospice emergency responses and changes to anticipate 

· Make visits as indicated and as needed 

·  Provide the patient/family with information concerning the disease process, the regimen of treatment process and alternative methods of care 

· Respond to questions honestly and realistically 

· Help the patient/family make informed choices 

· Promote independence and responsibility throughout the course of the disease 

· Provide emotional support 

· Actively listen to patient and family concerns 

· Support individual coping mechanisms 

· Provide services at the time of death 

· Assist with bereavement follow-up by attending receiving or funeral services as appropriate 

· Evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions on a regular basis and whenever changes occur in the patient/family situation 

· Communicate with physicians as needed and as required by regulations 

· Maintain current knowledge and competency in providing care to terminally ill patients and their families 

· Assist with nursing care on patient care unit as directed by supervisor 

· Other duties as assigned 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:  

· Ability to work a flexible schedule 

· Willingness to work with patients/families regardless of race, color, creed, age or sexual orientation. Must respect their beliefs and philosophy with an attitude of openness. 

· Ability to work effectively with others in a supervisory role 

· Strong communication skills 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

Education:  

· Current NC license as a registered nurse 

· Active patient contact or completion of a nursing refresher course within the past three years 

Experience:  

· Minimum of two to three years nursing experience required  

Licensures & Certifications: (if applicable):  

· CPR certification 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  

· Visual acuity to read written documentation and computer tasks 

· Ability to sit extended periods of time and perform administrative tasks 

· Ability to stand, bend and lift an average of 30 pounds 

· Manual dexterity with the ability to manipulate office equipment and keyboard for extended periods of time 

· Ability to walk, squat, kneel, climb and balance