Wage rate is determined by education (BSN) and number of years as a licensed RN

3% add on to Base Salary for BSN.

Job Description 1.2025

Essential Functions

To provide skilled nursing intervention and supportive care in accordance with Columbus Hospice, Inc. philosophies and goals. For weekends, holidays, evenings and night on call duty, to include after hours admissions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct

Nursing assistants, LPNs working on continuous care cases

Challenges in Position

Working long hours, working at night, occupational hazards, inclement weather, grieving families, high anxiety, and increased emotions from families.

Decision Making Latitude

Individual Decision Making Parameters

Acting on physician orders, using nursing judgment to access changes in patients; responding to ongoing changing patient and family needs.

In Collaboration with Management

Anything not currently defined by the Georgia and Alabama State Nurse Practice Act, Columbus Hospice policies and procedures, state licensure regulations or appropriate physician orders.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with professionalism and mutual respect for all. The requirements in this job description are representative of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

• Associate's degree from two-year College or technical school required
• One year nursing experience required

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, Vaccines

• Current Georgia and Alabama RN license or multi-state compact RN license required
• Valid drivers license and MVR in good standing required
• Proof of automobile insurance coverage per company policy requirements required
• Current BLS CPR Certification required
• Influenza vaccine required (November-March)
• Reliable transportation required

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write standard nursing documentation. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, patients and families. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

Position Requirements (not all-inclusive)

• Promote and integrate the mission and values of Columbus Hospice and model the behaviors and standards set forth by the mission statement.
• Assess both initial and ongoing needs of the patients and families, to include physical, social, spiritual, and emotional needs.
• Utilize effective formal and informal communication skills to enhance patient care and demonstrate a courteous manner to patients, families, caregivers, and co-workers.
• Must be proactive with problem solving and seek assistance when needed from Registered/Clinical nurses and/or manager regarding patient and departmental issues.
• Establish and maintain a collaborative approach within the departmental team and other teams.
• Receive patient referrals and complete after hours, weekend, holiday, and on-call admissions as needed in the absence of the designated on-call admissions staff.
• Document in a timely and concise manner and submit per company policy.
• Organize own workload and assist colleagues as needed.
• Maintain call log for telephone triage calls.
• Improve and maintain the expected standard of nursing care delivered.
• Use appropriate resources effectively.
• Serve as patient advocate and protect the rights of individuals.
• Work from the comprehensive care plan developed for each patient and communicate with other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Seek optimal pain and symptom relief for hospice patients on an emergency basis and provide follow-up with the primary nurse.
• Help patients and families prepare for death; be supportive and professional when death occurs.
• Encourage family to actively participate in the patients care.
• Adhere to occupational safety and health procedures while recognizing and taking appropriate action to working environment hazards.
• Adhere to and support Columbus Hospice policies and standards.
• Acquire 15 continuing education hours per year, or will not be eligible for merit increases and may be subject to termination. Of the required 15 hours per year, at least 12 hours must be in hospice-specific topics.
• Attend one Memorial Service per year.
• Attend all mandatory meetings and in-services.
• Achieve annual competencies as outlined in policy.
• Take all reasonable precautions to maintain privacy and non-disclosure of any confidential information about patients, other staff members, and the general operations of Columbus Hospice.
• Represent the company in a positive and professional manner at all times with others, e.g., co-workers, management, patients, families, and vendors.
• Complete all job responsibilities in a thorough and complete manner, utilizing good judgment in all aspects of the job.
• When unsure of a directed task or any part of job responsibilities, proactively seek the assistance of immediate supervisor.
• Ensure job responsibilities are met, including attendance requirements and prompt arrival at work.
• Assist with special projects, as requested.
• All other job duties as may be assigned.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus, and day and night driving vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, airborne particles, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low. Potential exposure to hostile environments, cigarette smoke, and pets.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of job content, rather to act as a guide to the essential functions performed. Management retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.

Columbus Hospice, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.