JGS Lifecare has been taking care of the elders of our community for more than a century, fulfilling a promise made in 1912 to provide compassionate care to improve their physical, spiritual and social needs. Guided by Jewish traditions and values, we welcome the opportunity to make the lives of the elders we serve fulfilling, meaningful and vibrant across a spectrum of services. JGS Lifecare is committed to being an “Employer of Choice.” We offer employment opportunities for people with various interests and backgrounds interested in working in a variety of health and elder care settings. At JGS Lifecare you will find a great working environment and an excellent compensation and benefits package. We are a smoke-free campus to ensure the health and safety of JGS Lifecare residents, patients, visitors and employees.
Position Summary: The Hospice RN or LPN is a licensed professional who provides direct and indirect patient care. In conjunction with the attending physician’s orders, the professional nurse responds to human responses that are actual or potential through assessment, nursing diagnoses, interventions and re-evaluation on an as needed basis. The RN is an integral and participatory member of the Interdisciplinary Team. The registered nurse will also coordinate patient/family care concerns as well as professional and paraprofessional staffing issues that arise after business hours, weekends and holidays.
Responsibilities:
Makes the initial assessment based on the attending physician’s orders and/or patient/family request.
Performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient/family that addresses the following but is not limited to;
Physical Condition:
Diagnosis
Symptoms of Discomfort
Relief Measures
Respiratory
Nutritional
Elimination
Cardiac
Skin Integrity
Psychological Status:
Mental Status
Coping
Bereavement
Sociological Status:
a. Safe environment b. Economic
Spirituality:
Beliefs
Religion
Clergy
Identifies a 24 hour caregiver for the patient.
Develops an appropriate plan of care that includes the patient/family and/or caregiver that addresses all of their needs regarding end of life.
Implements the plan of care with consideration for the dignity and desires of the patient/family, organizes and participates in direct patient care by performing treatment and administering medications for symptom relief as well as appropriate interventions in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team.
Is a participatory member of the Interdisciplinary Team and work harmoniously with a wide variety of people at all levels of staffing.
Coordinates services, pharmaceuticals and DME based on patient/family needs with effective cost management strategies.
Adheres to federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards and program standards relevant to patient care and assessment.
Complies with accepted ethical conduct and professional standards of practice as set forth by the ANA as appropriate.
Assesses the patient/family’s needs each visit through the collection of data and the recognition, interpretation, and reporting of symptoms and psychological responses; reassesses the patient/family’s needs as required.
Maintains a safe environment for the patient/family.
Communicates to the attending physician, IDT, and associates (as applicable) any changes in the patient’s condition and obtains and clarifies any necessary orders or revision of the plan of care.
Provides patient/family education in compliance with clinical practice guidelines/standards of care and the patient/family’s plan of care.
Observes, records, and reports signs and symptoms and reactions to treatments and medications, and any changes in the patient’s physical or emotional condition in a timely manner.
Initiates emergency procedures as necessary.
Supervises care given by ancillary staff assigned to cases as directed and to maintain compliance with licensure law and regulations.
Adheres to and abides by requirements of the Corporate Code of Conduct.
Is flexible to changes in productivity and performs other job-related tasks and duties as assigned.
Communicates on-call changes and/or complaints to appropriate field personnel, patient/family, and program management as necessary.
Receives referrals and orders as requires. Provide staff consultations regarding problems and changes in patient care.
Serves as a mentor for other agency personnel and/or students engaged in clinical affiliations.
Attends and participates in the IDT conferences and staff meetings.
Maintains licensure and competency by participating in in-service and continuing education programs.
Participates in performance improvement activities.
Participates in all aspects of education/training for community outreach, in-service for hospice staff, Nursing Home staff and system wide staff.
Qualifications:
Currently licensed in the state of Massachusetts as RN or LPN
A graduate of an NLN approved school of professional nursing.
Meet the Hospice’s conditions of employment regarding health clearance, and provisions of professional references.
Have the ability to read, write and speak English.
Be able to function in a practice environment with minimal direct supervision, accepting personal responsibility for maintaining a professional relationship with patients and families.
Have the ability to relate to and treat terminally ill patients/families.
Possess knowledge of and/or willingness to learn the regulations and standards of care regarding end of life issues.
Possess strong clinical assessment, evaluation and patient education skills as well as critical decision making skills.
Possess current knowledge of clinical techniques, procedures and pain management modalities.
Have the ability to function in the home situation regardless of age, race, creed, color, sex, disability or financial condition of the patient.
Absolute integrity and the use of good judgment to handle the professional and confidential nature of assignments.
Adapt to changing organizational needs.
Ability to transport self to patient’s home/facility. May be multiple locations in a work day.
CPR
IV skills
Physical Requirements:
Have the ability to move intermittently throughout the work day, inclusive of sitting, standing, bending, pushing, pulling or moving objects and patients.
Heavy work; exerting 50-100 pounds of force occasionally and/or 25-50 pounds of force frequently to move objects including the human body.
Standing/walking; frequently and intermittently to accomplish tasks. May also chose to stand while completing administrative duties.
Lifting; occasionally raises objects including the human body from a lower to a higher position or horizontally from position to position.
Pushing/Pulling; occasionally uses upper extremities to push/pull objects including the human body in a sustained motion.
Climbing; frequently climb in and out of a car. May frequently ascend and descend stairs, uneven surfaces, or obstacles that may be located indoors or outdoors, and may not be handicapped accessible.
Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching; may occasionally stoop, kneel, or crouch during the provision of care.
Balancing; must maintain balance that is necessary for ordinary locomotion and body equilibrium.
Sitting; may sit frequently as when traveling to patient’s home, providing care or while completing administrative duties.
Reaching; may have to reach to administer care, treatments and/or procedures.
Grasping; may frequently grasp and/ or handle objects, including medical equipment/supplies, the human body and a writing instrument during the provision of care.
Feeling; able to touch objects including the human body to perceive attributes such as size, shape, temperature or texture.
Talking; must frequently exchange information in person and on the telephone to patients, doctors, family members, staff members, by means of the spoken word.
Repetitive Motions; must frequently use upper and lower extremities in a repetitive motion, including writing and driving.
Sensory needs; must possess fine motor skills, visual acuity and those senses necessary for patient assessment/evaluation, communication and driving, including sight, touch, hearing and smell.
Working Conditions:
Subject to environmental conditions: activities can occur inside or outside of the home.
Subject to a variety of physical conditions within individual patient homes; safety issues may include basic home safety, fire safety, environmental safety and bathroom safety.
May occasionally be requires to handle hazardous substances including blood, infectious materials and hazardous waste.
Equal Opportunity Employer - Disability and Veteran JGS Lifecare is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity or expression, genetics, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, political affiliation, veteran status or any other status that is protected by local, state or federal law.