Registered Nurse (RN) Long Term Care (LTC) Team

Only applications received through our website at www.columbushospice.com/careers will be considered.

Wage rate is determined by education (BSN) and number of years as a licensed RN

Additional 3% added to base rate for BSN or MSN.

Position Goal

Provide individualized nursing care in accordance with Hospice philosophies and standards, provide education to patients and families, conduct nursing assessments, effectively provide symptom management, and collaborate care of the patient with the interdisciplinary team.

This position may be Full-Time or Part-Time and will be designated at time of employment.

Education and Experience

Required:

• Associate's degree from two-year College or technical school
• One year RN experience

Preferred:

• BSN or MSN

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, Vaccines

Required:

• Current Georgia and Alabama RN license or multi-state compact RN license
• Valid driver's license and MVR in good standing
• Proof of automobile insurance coverage per company policy requirements
• Current BLS/CPR Certification
• Influenza vaccine required (November-March)
• Reliable transportation

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write standard nursing documentation. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, patients and families.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

Position Requirements (not all-inclusive)

• Assessment, both initial and ongoing, of the patient's and family needs, to include physical, social and emotional or spiritual needs, with prompt, appropriate follow-up and referrals as needed.
• Develop a comprehensive nursing and team care plan in conference with the other members of the Interdisciplinary Team, updating the care plan weekly and more frequently as needed.
• Seek optimal symptom and pain control for the patients through attentive and thorough examination and follow up.
• Keep the attending physician apprised of patient’s status and request appropriate changes in care in accordance with established guidelines.
• Coordinate with the Volunteer Coordinator in assigning, directing, and supporting volunteers.
• Seek appropriate spiritual support for the patient/family through patient's personal clergy or hospice chaplain.
• Provide necessary on-going information, and teaching to the patient/family including hospice protocol, emergencies and on call procedures.
• Solicit help from other members of the team as well as other agencies or organizations, as appropriate.
• Help patient/family to prepare for the death of the patient but maintain hope. Encourage pre-planning. 
• Encourage family and friends to actively participate in the patient's care, providing education and support per the plan of care. 
• Accurate and timely recording of all phases of the patient's care to include re-certifications and physicians orders.
• When possible attend funerals, and then withdraw from active family support, leaving the Bereavement Dept. to support the family. 
• Participate in Interdisciplinary Team meetings, serving as a positive, participative team member.
• Attend care plan meetings as scheduled by the LTC facilities.
• Participate in the hospice on-call system, as assigned.
• Assume other duties as assigned by Team Manager to include acting temporarily as Team Manager.
• Conduct supervisory visits on LPN's and CNA's assigned to your patient’s care per policy.
• Review medication count with LTC facility nurse and order refills/obtain prescriptions to ensure that patients have the appropriate amount of medication to meet their care needs.
• Perform death pronouncements following policy, to include medication destruction per LTC facility policy, and provide supportive care to assist the family through the initial period following the patient’s death.
• Maintain a patient caseload and provide services per plan of care.
• Acquire 15 continuing education hours per year, or will not be eligible for merit increases and may be subject to termination, as per policy. Of the required 15 hours per year at least 12 hours must be in hospice-specific topics.
• Takes all reasonable precautions to maintain privacy and non-disclosure of any confidential information about patients, other staff members, and the general operations of Columbus Hospice.
• Represent the company in a positive and professional manner at all times with others, e.g., co-workers, management, vendors, and customers. 
• Complete all job responsibilities in a thorough and complete manner, utilizing good judgment in all aspects of the job.
• When unsure of a directed task or any part of job responsibilities, proactively seek the assistance of immediate supervisor.
• Ensure job responsibilities are met, including attendance requirements and prompt arrival at work.
• Assist with special projects, as requested.
• All other job duties as may be assigned.

Physical Demands

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus, day and night driving vision. Potential exposure to hostile environments, cigarette smoke, and pets.

Work Environment

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Potential exposure to hostile environments, cigarette smoke, and pets.