Staff Nurse (RN) - Hospice Community - Full-Time (1.0 FTE) in St Albans

This position supports Mercy’s philosophy of patient centered care by being a competent, respectful, and compassionate professional who is able to safely, appropriately, accurately, efficiently and independently follow Mercy’s standards along with policies and procedures while caring for patients. The Registered Staff Nurse works with the unit specific team members to identify clinical problems, develop a plan, and educate patients and families.

Job Duties

• Ensures that accurate and clinically relevant information is communicated with patients, their families, and co-workers at hand offs and other times as needed.
• Takes all measures necessary to ensure that the appropriate and involved parties have communicated necessary information in order to allow for the best possible patient outcome.
• Demonstrates competent assessment, planning, intervention, coordination and evaluation skills based on the individual patient plan of care.
• Continually assesses patient and family needs in order to provide quality care based on a patient centered care model.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and judgment necessary to implement a patient plan of care, nursing interventions and procedures.
• Maintains accurate and real time documentation of nursing care provided to ensure the integration of information for use by the healthcare team, according to hospital policy and procedure related to documentation parameters.
• Functions as a role model for current and new staff by creating a healthy work environment to facilitate the department’s or unit’s ability to meet identified goals and objectives.
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible and courteous environment.
• Directs other licensed and non-licensed personnel in the provision of care to patients as assigned.
• Demonstrates effective and age-appropriate communication as well as the ability to understand the needs of the patient including non-verbal communication, fears, anxieties and language/cultural barriers.
• Responds within scope of practice to emergencies and life-threatening conditions.
• Adheres to and promotes patient safety practices throughout the patient experience.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with all members of the healthcare team.
• Provides ongoing education to patients and families.
• Delegates to other staff registered nurse, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians, unit secretaries, and other staff positions specific to the department.
• Remains current on Evidence-based practice as well as appropriate Protocols and Procedures.
• Follows Mercy’s safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.

Department Specific Duties

• Demonstrates critical thinking in assessing and managing end of life symptoms, utilising all available team members with awareness and knowledge of treatment options and resources available.
• Demonstrates accountability in time management, flexibility in scheduling and good organisational skills to meet the ever-changing needs of patients and families at end of life.
• Maintains professional boundaries while providing kind and compassionate support and education to patients and families regarding end-of-life cares and needs.
• Demonstrates timely and effective collaboration with physician offices, hospice medical director and other members of the hospice interdisciplinary team to manage patient’s symptoms and execute the plan of care.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Sound background in basic nursing principles and procedures.
• Demonstrates competency in unit specific skills.
• Demonstrates ability to provide safe and effective basic nursing care.
• Role Models exemplary customer service skills including verbal and non-verbal skills and proper phone etiquette.
• Creates a welcoming environment for all healthcare team members.
• Committed to ongoing self-development and learning.

Professional Experience

• Previous RN experience in an acute care setting preferred.
• 2+ years’ experience in oncology/medical/surgical or hospice nursing is preferred.

Education

• Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing preferred.

Licensure, Certification, Registration Requirements

• Current license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Iowa or compact state required.
• Current certification in Basic Life Support, in accordance with the American Heart Association required.
• Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse/Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training required.
• Employee must submit certification of completed training to Human Resources prior to start or transfer date.

Additional requirements specific to each department

• Current valid driver’s license, valid auto insurance, own transportation required.
• Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse certification preferred.