Hospice RN - Polk, Hardee, Highlands

Empath Health is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) to join our team.

Thursday - Sunday 11a-9: 30; 40 hours a week. Area of coverage Polk, Hardee, Highlands counties. Admissions and cross training for Triage and case management.

Coordinates patient admissions activities in the long term care facility, patient home, hospital, assisted living facility and hospice house settings.

Primary tasks, duties, and responsibilities:

1. Promotes and practices the Hospice mission and core values, and follows all policies and procedures.
2. Under the direction of a licensed physician, manages discomfort and provides symptom relief using specialized nursing skills related to palliative and end-of-life care.
3. Provides initial and ongoing assessment of the impact of the terminal diagnosis on the patient's physical, functional, psychosocial, and environmental needs and activities of daily living.
4. In collaboration with the other members of the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG); develops implements and updates the individualized plan of care, initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative procedures and initiates referrals to other services; requests complimentary services, as needed.
5. Educates patient/resident, family and caregivers regarding disease process and decline, palliative interventions care giving, dying process and safety practices.
6. Daily adherence to the customer service acknowledgement processes for facility staff.
7. Supervises LPN's and paraprofessionals providing services to the patient according to regulations.
8. Recognizes and maintains professional boundaries in relationships with patient/family/caregiver.
9. Applies specific criteria for admission and re-certification to hospice care to establish appropriate levels of care and patient's eligibility.
10. Completes "point of service" documentation within the electronic medical record.
11. Reviews and updates the hospice care plan, physician's orders, medication reconciliation (MAR)/ Pharmacy profile and other records to ensure patient / family needs are met.
12. Demonstrates knowledge of and adheres to the Florida Nurse Practice Act, Standards of Practice of Hospice Nursing as well as legal, regulatory and CHAP requirements.
13. Ability to work within complex family relationships and dynamics.
14. Display respectful adherence to Tidewell's community partner facilities, staff, rules and regulations.

Educational/Professional:

• Graduate of approved nursing program and current unrestricted Florida RN license.
• Valid and current CPR certification required.
• Minimum one year experience in an acute-care Hospital environment providing direct patient care; previous experience as a Hospice RN preferred.
• An equivalent combination of professional experience and education may be considered as meeting the educational/professional requirements.