Registered Nurse- Palliative Care/Hospice

KLICKITAT COUNTY PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT NO 1•Goldendale, WA

2d•$42 - $69

About The Position

Make a Difference as a Palliative Care & Hospice Nurse with Klickitat Valley Health Are you a compassionate and dedicated nurse with a holistic approach to patient care? Klickitat Valley Health is seeking a Palliative Care & Hospice Nurse to provide compassionate, patient- and family-centered care across the continuum of serious illness- from diagnosis through end-of-life in our clinic, hospital, and community settings. In this unique role, you will support patients facing serious illness through expert symptom management, goals-of-care conversations, and care coordination, while also providing comfort-focused hospice care that honors dignity, quality of life, and individual preferences at the end of life. You will work collaboratively with providers and an interdisciplinary team to ensure care aligns with each patient’s values, needs, and goals. If you are driven to make a meaningful impact through connection, clinical expertise, and purpose-driven care, and are seeking a role that blends independence, creativity, and deep human connection, we invite you to join our compassionate team. General Summary: The Hospice & Palliative Care Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive nursing care to patients with serious or life-limiting illness in the home, clinic, hospital, and community settings. The RN delivers direct patient care, coordinates interdisciplinary services, and facilitates a patient- and family-centered plan of care consistent with hospice and palliative care principles. The RN is responsible for performing assessments, implementing and evaluating care plans, coordinating services across care settings, and providing education and support to patients and families. The RN collaborates with physicians, advanced practice providers, social workers, chaplains, and other interdisciplinary team members to ensure high-quality, coordinated care that supports patient goals and improves quality of life. The RN demonstrates excellence in customer service and professional communication while supporting the organization's mission, vision, and values. This role requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic healthcare environment while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and nursing practice standards. The RN is aware of the potential exposure to internal and external hazardous materials, including but not limited to: blood and blood-borne pathogens, infectious/communicable diseases, and potential physical injury while caring for patients. Casual positions are not eligible for benefits. This position is eligible for a casual differential.

Requirements

Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing with an active/current RN license in Washington State.
Must possess a valid/current driver’s license in the State of Washington/Oregon, depending on residence location.
Possesses or has access to reliable vehicle transportation with auto insurance for doing patient care visits.
BLS required and pass TB testing.
Knowledge of HIV/AIDS conditions and protocols.
At least two (2) years of general nursing experience required, and at least six (6) months of nursing experience in Home Health and/or Hospice care preferred.

Nice To Haves

BSN preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates knowledge of the statutes and regulations governing nursing and nursing functions within the legal boundaries of the Registered Nurse Practice Act.
Performs systems assessment on all patients, including geriatric and general patients.
Initiates the plan of care for all patients, identifies priorities, and sets realistic, measurable goals; coordinates the care plan with other health disciplines.
Notifies other interdisciplinary team members of the patient’s admission to Hospice and Palliative care services and assists with arranging patient visits/care needs with support from other hospital providers.
May make referrals to other therapies/disciplines as ordered by physician/provider, or to community resources if indicated.
Evaluates overall plan of care regularly, assesses patient progress, and identifies any changes in status; revises plan of care as indicated by patient’s response to treatment to ensure patient comfort and safety in coordination with patient’s physician/provider.
Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
Formulates teaching plan for patients and families based upon identified learning needs.
Adequately assesses and reassesses patient needs, including: pain, utilizing appropriate pain medication management techniques, therapy and equipment/supply needs, etc.
Educates the patient and family regarding pain management and use of other medical equipment/supplies.
Delivers and documents patient care as prescribed by the medical provider considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient’s age and within the scope of practice of the Registered Nurse, including: assessing/monitoring vitals, administering therapies and treatment, access/maintains IV/PICC/Port lines for medication and fluids; observing the patient and recording those observations, answering patient/family questions, etc.
Uses sound nursing judgment to identify and communicate changes in the patient’s condition to the physician/provider in a timely manner to make any adjustments consistent with the delivery of quality care.
Communicates nursing interventions and responses to care to other members of the health care team.
Demonstrates knowledge of medications and their appropriate administration based on the patient's age and clinical condition.
Follows KVH policy on medication administration to avoid med errors or interactions.
Assists physicians/providers with procedures, and performs care and services requiring technical and manual skills.
Performs all aspects of patient care safely to reduce the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors and is accountable for each assigned patient.
Works collaboratively with other Home Health & Hospice staff, delegating tasks as appropriate with CNA staff, as well as supervising care as required by Medicare/Medicaid.
Follows hospital policy when disposing of biohazardous materials, labeling, and handling of all materials.
Performs new nursing techniques or procedures after successful demonstration of competencies.
Complies with all departmental policy and procedures, while upholding the high expectations of KVH.
Attends a minimum of 75% of departmental staff meetings and 100% of mandatory in-services.
Shares on-call after-hours responsibilities with the other RNs
Performs other duties as assigned.