Hospice Nurse (Full-time, Part-time, Per Diem)

Job Description 

Position: Registered Nurse (Hospice), full-time, part-time, per diem positions 

Status:  

Full-time, part-time, per diem positions available 

Instructions: Please send a cover letter and resume to office@vhocc.org. 

Position Summary 

This paid position is a rewarding opportunity for a Registered Nurse to act as a member of an interdisciplinary team to provide quality palliative and hospice care to patients and their caregivers. Our unique model allows nurses to focus on patient-centered care instead of billing requirements. VHOCC nurses use creative, compassionate, critical thinking skills in managing end of life symptoms.

Reports to: Nurse Team Manager 

Our Mission and Who We Are 

Mission 

To provide free around- the-clock registered nursing availability to terminally ill patients, while supporting them and their families emotionally, physically and spiritually with a team of trained volunteers 

Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County (VHOCC) is one of the only free, community-supported nonprofit hospice care organizations in the nation. VHOCC has provided mission-driven compassionate care for the terminally ill, their caregivers, and their families for over 40 years. VHOCC is located on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in WA state; we provide unparalleled patient service without any billing to government agencies or insurance companies, creating a liberating and heart-centered work environment. Our services include end-of-life care, respite care for caregivers, grief support, and a medical equipment loan program for the community. After doubling our capacity over the past three years to respond to increased need, we’re expanding our nursing care team. Learn more about our origin story and legacy at www.VHOCC.org. 

Principal Duties 

• Perform clinical assessment and evaluation of patient for symptom management, pain, and physical/emotional/spiritual distress 
• Communicate with providers when medications needed for symptom management 
• Teach/counsel patient and caregivers about symptom management, including non-pharmacological interventions, safe use of medications, and dosing  
• Evaluate effectiveness of medications and treatments 
• Develop trusting relationship with patients 
• Develop a POC based on needs/goals of patients 
• Attend deaths and notifies appropriate agencies 
• Documents all visits, phone calls, medication orders in patients’ medical record in a timely manner 
• Conducts self in accordance with standard professional nursing practices 
• Communicates with fellow staff and patient care manager regarding patient/family status 
• Cover on-call hours as required 

Per Diem Position: 

• Flexible schedule: Per diem nurses generally commit to a minimum of two day shifts and two nights of on-call per month or 3 nights of on-call per month, or as available by employer 
• Covers field shifts and float shifts to support core nursing staff 
• Helps with admissions as needed 

Qualifications, Education, Skills and Abilities 

• Current Washington license as a Registered Nurse 
• Valid Washington State Driver’s license 
• Reliable vehicle with valid auto insurance 
• Graduate of accredited nursing program 
• Minimum of two years nursing experience preferred but not required; experience in home health, oncology, medical surgical nursing, or hospice a plus 
• Experience with computer usage, working knowledge of use and application of computers 
• Clear verbal and written communication skills  
• Work cooperatively with others and function as part of a team 
• Respond appropriately and effectively to patients and caregivers in both routine and crisis situations 

 Other Requirements 

• Performance of job duties requires travel between Port Angeles and Sequim offices and to patients’ place of residence. 
• Ability to lift 40 lbs 
• Work is performed primarily indoors at patient’s place of residence. 
• Essential duties may involve occasional kneeling, squatting, crouching, stooping, crawling, standing, bending, climbing. 
• Duties require carrying a cell phone, laptop, and medical equipment used in patient assessments. 
• Requires the ability to alternatively sit and stand for sustained periods of time. 
• Requires ability to drive at night when on-call. 

Compensation & Benefits 

• Hourly and per diem pay scales dependent on education and experience 
• PTO calculated on hours worked 
• Employer sponsored medical, dental, vision plan for employees working 20+ hours/week 
• Employer sponsored 401(k) plan 
• Sign-on bonus payable upon 1-year worked for employees if eligible 
• Up to $1,000 reimbursement for moving expenses if moving from out of the area after 90 days if eligible 

VHOCC’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 

Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.