On-Call RN or LPN, PRN, As Needed

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred.
• Must have a current RN license to practice in Indiana.
• Must hold current CPR Certification or obtain it within the orientation period.
• Infusion skills preferred.
• Prefer one (1) year of recent hospital or home health care experience.
• Must be able to provide those services requiring substantial specialized nursing skills.
• Must be able to safely perform the job's essential functions without posing a direct threat to the health and/or safety of him/her or others in the workplace.
• Must be comfortable working with hospice patients, emphasizing palliative care.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong assessment skills.
• Must have an Indiana motor vehicle operator’s license and have access to an automobile.
• with current automobile insurance coverage.
• Must be able to drive independently to all patient/family homes.
• Assist with in-servicing the community on the hospice philosophy as needed/requested.

Essential functions

• Must be capable of functioning independently in the patient’s setting.
• Ability to recognize the needs and emergencies of hospice and palliative care patients and provide appropriate interventions.
• Implements Agency policies in all work-related situations; orientation of pt/family to hospice benefit services, including: 1. Identifying the role of team members. 2. Documents findings accurately and in a timely manner in the electronic medical record and on appropriate forms according to Agency procedures. 3. Makes the initial assessment evaluation visit and identifies patient health problems by assessing environmental, psychosocial, spiritual, physiological, and health behavior systems. 4. Ensures proper initiation of the interdisciplinary plan-of-care, coordinating revisions, and evaluating outcomes.
• Delivers nursing care to patients, which includes teaching, providing direct care, case management, referral, advocacy, monitoring pain and symptom management, and initiating appropriate interventions.
• Supervises clinically the care delegated to LPNs, Home Health Aides, and CNAs and documents same, as needed.
• Instructs LPNs, Home Health Aides, and CNAs on specific patient care procedures within approved policies.
• Anticipates problems related to the impending death of the patient beginning at the time of admission and pursues problem resolution, including bereavement follow-up for family members.
• Plans and effects patient discharge plans in conjunction with patient/family, nurse, physician, and Agency goals.
• Attends and participates in patient care conferences or team meetings as appropriate.
• Remains flexible for patient coverage and accepts responsibility under adverse conditions, such as weather-related crises.
• Follows orders from the patient’s physician and informs physician and other personnel of changes in the patient’s condition and needs.
• Coordinates care and services with other health care providers.
• Recommends utilization of additional Agency services and other community services, as appropriate.
• Works in a cooperative relationship with other Agency personnel.
• Maintains a therapeutic relationship with patients/families. 1. This includes confidentiality of personal matters, patients', coworkers', and the Agency's business.
• Seeks appropriate clinical supervision.
• Assumes responsibility for continued professional growth and development.
• Seeks educational opportunities to improve clinical practice and participates in in-service programs.
• Adheres to all Stillwater Hospice policies.
• Adheres to Stillwater Hospice’s dress code policy.
• Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Adheres to Stillwater Hospice privacy practices described in the Notice of Privacy Practices.
• Participates in quality improvement activities and/or other agency committees or task forces when requested.

Critical skill sets & attitudes

• Proficient and timely in all aspects of clinical documentation, including computer data entry.
• Proficient in blood draws, all routine patient treatments (dressing changes, catheters, etc.); pain and symptom management; care of the patient and family, including pediatric and HIV + patients; Mantoux administration.
• Proficient in case management, all aspects of IV care, including programming of IV pumps, tubing changes, site care, and subcutaneous access.
• Display compassion, be a team player, have an optimistic outlook, be adaptive, accountable, and a customer driver.

Marginal functions

• Provides personal care.
• Participates in Quality Assurance by reviewing patient records to ensure compliance.

Essential physical/Mental functions

• Must have visual and hearing ability to comprehend written and verbal communication.
• Must engage in clear, concise verbal/non-verbal communication.
• Lifting: Transfer patients into positions where they can perform daily care, personal hygiene, and grooming - Occasional to Frequent.
• Carrying: Personal hygiene supplies to and from bathroom to patient – Occasional linen for short distances - Occasional.
• Pushing/pulling/reaching: Readjust patient in bed - Occasional.
• Standing: While performing patient care - Frequent to Constant.
• Sitting: While driving to and from the patient’s home - Frequent.
• Climbing: must be able to climb a minimum of 3 flights of stairs - Occasional to Frequent
• Balancing: Needed for normal ambulation, climbing stairs, and reaching - Occasional to Frequent.
• Stooping/kneeling/crouching/bending: To perform patient care - Frequent.
• Handling objects, i.e., soap, shampoo, toothbrush, comb, dressing - Occasional.
• Fingering: Pen, visit reports - Frequent.
• Opening: Bottles and jars - Frequent.
• Talking: To communicate with patients, family, supervisor, and coworkers - Frequent.
• Hearing: To communicate with the patient, coworkers, patient’s family, and supervisor - Frequent to Constant.
• Seeing: Constant. The ability to discriminate colors.
• Must have the ability to remain calm in occasional emergency situations.
• Recognizes emergencies and knows emergency procedures according to Agency policy.

Essential hazardous physical exposures

• Must be willing to travel between patients in inclement weather.
• Potential threat of physical violence to self. (Security personnel available upon request.)
• Potential exposure to dangerous animals, such as dogs, rodents, etc.
• Potential exposure to environmental pollutants.
• Potential exposure to infectious diseases, needle sticks, blood and body fluids, and hazardous waste.
• Potential exposure to variable temperatures in the working environment.

Chemical or hazardous physical exposures

• Potential exposure to substances within the facility, including copy machine toner, VDT emissions, cleaning solvents, and medical supply chemicals.
• Potential exposure to chemical/cleaning substances in the patient’s home environment.

Essential personal protective equipment required

• Standard precautions will be consistently used for all patients. The employer provides protective clothing and equipment at no cost to the employee.
• Seat belts must be worn when traveling during working hours according to state law.

Other special considerations

• Must be willing to accept assignments without regard to location, socioeconomic environment, disease, or ethnic origin.
• Must exhibit dependability in areas such as attendance, tardiness, and timely performance of duties.
• Must be willing to make scheduled visits on holidays, when assigned.

The published compensation range for this position reflects a good-faith estimate of starting base pay for full-time (40 hours per week) employment at the time of posting. The base pay may be higher or lower based on demonstrated job-related experience.

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Stillwater Hospice has been caring for the seriously ill of Northeast Indiana since 1888, and our goal is to foster the optimal quality of life through medical, spiritual, and emotional support for patients and their loved ones. We provide high-quality, patient-focused, and compassionate care that helps terminally ill patients and their families live as fully as possible. Providing hospice care allows patients and their families to have meaningful moments together.