Triage RN – Community Hospice – Modesto, CA

**SIGN ON BONUS AVAILABLE**

Voted one of the Best Places to Work in the Central Valley for the fourth consecutive year, Community Hospice is seeking a dynamic Triage RN to join our Community Hospice family. As the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice and community-based palliative care provider in the Central Valley, Community Hospice has been supporting and providing services to our community since 1979. Our mission is to embrace individuals and families facing life-changing journeys, enhancing quality of life for all. Accredited by CHAP (Community Health Accredited Program), our services extend to over 2,000 patients each year wherever they call home.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Triage Nurse works under the supervision of the Patient Care Manager to provide skilled nursing assessment and care for the comfort and health of patients and families. Responsible for identifying patient/family needs in order to provide supportive care in accordance with plan of care and Community Hospice policies and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Nursing Support

• Telephone triage of patient/family phone calls for symptom management, emotional and practical support. Respond to phone calls within 15 minutes.
• Perform scheduled home visits to assess needs; teach caregivers pain management, symptom control and patient care skills; and provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to the patient/family.
• Document nursing visits and phone calls in the electronic medical record by the end of shift.
• Attend nursing department meetings, All Staff meetings, and required inservices. Complete 100% of required inservices. Attend 80% of other mandatory inservices and meetings. It is the responsibility of Triage Nurses to read meeting minutes and to obtain report from the designated attendee.
• Follows all Community Hospice policies and procedures including, but not limited to, safety, infection control, privacy and confidentiality, and HIPAA.
• Maintain RN license in accordance with federal, state and local laws, and must act only within the scope of his or her state license. All personnel qualifications must be kept current at all times.

Admissions/Tuck-Ins

• Responsible for nursing assessment and initial care planning prior to and during the hospice admission process. Initial assessment to include introduction of hospice services and initial problem solving meeting with patient/families.
• Responsible for doing consults (answering questions for patients/families about hospice services) and evaluations (assessing patient current condition and recent history to assist team in evaluating appropriateness for hospice services). Consults and evaluations will be scheduled at the earliest opportunity agreed upon by the patient/family and documented on the Preadmission Contacts form.
• Responsible for providing back up support for nursing visits in times of crisis or unusual need. Home visits made as assigned and documentation complete within one business day.
• Maintain regular communication with Patient Care Manager and keep her/him informed of any unusual or problematic patient/family issues effecting the admission process and ongoing patient care.
• Initiate communication with attending physicians, other hospice team members and other community agencies as needed to coordinate optimal care and use of resources for patient/family. Communication with triage will be completed by the end of the business day. Report will be given to the assigned case manager by voice mail left on phone line by 9:00am of the first business day following admission. Physicians will be contacted as needed to update the plan of care. Requests for community resource referrals will be given to the assigned Social Worker within 24 hours of contact.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation of the initial assessment and plan of care. Admission documentation will be complete in the electronic medical record by the end of shift
• Attend death events and provide appropriate support at time of death.
• Participate in Community Hospice orientation and supervision of students. Makes joint visits with students and assists in teaching of hospice concept.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least one year recent experience within the last three years as a professional nurse.
• Possession of a current license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of California.
• Timely renewal required.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and current automobile insurance. Timely renewal required.
• CHPN preferred.
• Possesses and maintains current CPR certification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The main environment for this position is in the patients’ homes, which vary in levels of cleanliness, accessibility, and climate control. The employee may be exposed to virus, disease and infection from patients. The employee may experience situations, with emotionally disturbed, substance abuse, serious illness, and deceased patients. While performing the duties of this position, the employee will travel by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions.

WORK SCHEDULE:

(2) Positions: 3 days a week with alternating weekends. 12 hour shifts / 8am-8pm

(1) Position: Alternating 4 day/3 day schedule. 10 hour shifts / 4pm-230am / alternating weekends

Position(s) may also require holidays and on call time.

BENEFITS:
We offer our employees the following competitive benefits package:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Short Term and Long Term Disability/Life insurance
• 24 days paid time off per year to start
• 403(b) Retirement plan with employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Fitness Center Membership discounts
• Employee Assistance program
• Other retail discounts (rental cars, cell phones, etc.)

Our supportive, caring environment extends not only to our patients and families, but to our valued staff as well. Employees from a number of disciplines work together in a collaborative, stimulating environment that is considered by many to be a model for quality healthcare. Community Hospice is a rapidly growing company and is always looking for qualified employees. We seek highly motivated, talented candidates to join our staff and offer a competitive benefits package to our employees.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Overtime
• Weekend availability

Supplemental Pay:

• Signing bonus

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Nursing: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• BLS Certification (Required)
• RN (Required)
• Driver’s License (Preferred)
• CHPN (Preferred)

Work Location: One location