Hospice House LPN - 7pm to 7am Every Other Weekend at Hospice Alliance Inc – Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

DESCRIPTION

Reports to: Hospice House Manager

Hours: 7pm to 7am every other weekend and participation in the holiday rotation

Type of position: Full-time, Nonexempt

The Hospice House LPN is responsible for the care of hospice patients in accordance with the care plan established by the interdisciplinary team. The nurse plans, coordinates, and provides care to patients residing in the hospice house facility.

Monitors, the effects of care on patient/family health status, evaluates the care provided and the need for revision. Acts as a liaison among the hospice patient, the attending physician, hospice medical director, volunteers and all other members of the hospice interdisciplinary team.

Must have visual and hearing acuity. Must be able to communicate verbally. Physically active walking, standing, bending, lifting, and climbing stairs. Must be able to perform fully assisted transfers, with or without transfer devices.

The Hospice House LPN primarily provides care in a residential hospice house setting. On occasion, the Hospice House LPN may assist in the field. If assisting in the field, care is provided in patient homes, skilled nursing facilities, and other residential type settings. In these environments, there may be exposure to pets, smoke, minor hazards, blood borne pathogens and communicable diseases.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOSPICE HOUSE LPN

• Provides nursing care to patients within their nursing scope of practice.
• Completes house admissions, discharges and deaths and all required documentation within their nursing scope of practice.
• Provides documentation of cares through charting in the electronic medical record and updates care plans as necessary.
• Provides care with a focus on patient comfort, and pain and symptom management.
• Administers and manages patients’ medications following policy and procedures.
• Maintains a cooperative working relationship with other personnel involved in providing care to the hospice house patients.
• Apprises the Hospice House manager or manager on-call of personnel or other house related issues in a timely manner.
• Participates in the weekend and holiday rotation.
• Provides patient and family education.
• Performs timely administrative functions relating to the house such as, clinical records, mandatory abuse reporting requirements, and supervision of CNA’s and volunteers.
• Assists patients, family members or other clients with concern and empathy; respects confidentiality and privacy and communicates in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Participates in hospice and community health programs as requested to promote the growth and understanding of the hospice concept. This includes but is not limited to participation in the Hospice Alliance observation program that provides other health care professionals the opportunity to observe and learn about hospice care, college partnerships, and other Hospice Alliance sponsored education events.
• Participation in Hospice Alliance town hall meetings, clinical team meetings, trainings, memorials and other events.
• Complies with Hospice Alliance policies, standards or practice and operational guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned consistent with skills and training and the mission and goals of Hospice Alliance.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Valid license as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Wisconsin
• Certification as a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPLN) desired
• Current Basic Life Support Certification
• Prior palliative care, home health and/or hospice experience is highly desirable
• Minimum of one-year recent professional nursing experience is preferred
• Able to cope with emotional stress and be tolerant of individual lifestyles
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Sensitive to the needs of terminally ill patients and families and one’s own feelings about dying and death
• Excellent time management and organizational skills are essential
• Critical thinking skills and ability to solve problems
• Strong computer skills are required, such as, email and prior experience working with electronic medical records