Visit Nurse PRN Day Shift - Facilities Team (51368)

REPORTS TO: Team Leader

SUPERVISES: None

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS: All comments, actions and behaviors have a direct effect on the public’s perception of Hospice Austin. Interactions with patients, family members, physicians, referral sources, visitors, co-workers, etc. must be in a manner that is courteous, respectful, cooperative and professional. This behavior should promote an atmosphere of teamwork and positive relations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Nursing Care & Symptom Management

• Performs focused, clinically indicated assessments during patient visits, including vital signs, pain assessment, respiratory evaluation, and other symptom‑specific evaluations.
• Provides immediate comfort‑focused interventions to manage symptoms such as pain, dyspnea, agitation, nausea, fever, and other distressing conditions.
• Initiates appropriate nursing procedures and implements standing orders, symptom management orders (SMOs), and PRN protocols as allowed.
• Evaluates patient and caregiver response to interventions and adjusts the plan as needed to ensure comfort and safety.
• Educates patients, families, and facility staff on symptom management, medication use, expected changes at end of life, and when to seek additional support.
• Assesses caregiver capacity to meet immediate patient needs and escalates concerns appropriately.
• Completes initial assessment and obtains approval to admit from providers for new admissions to hospice service. Ensures accuracy and completion of legal documentation.
• Completes visits within the Hospice Austin service area (Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, and Burnet counties) as assigned by the Team Lead.

End‑of‑Life Support & Death Events

• Provides preparation, guidance, and emotional support to families during active dying and imminent changes.
• Pronounces death in accordance with state regulations and agency policy.
• Provides respectful, dignified postmortem care and supports families through the immediate post‑death period.
• Ensures timely communication with funeral homes, facilities, and internal teams as required.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicates changes in patient condition, urgent needs, and interventions to the appropriate care team members.
• Collaborates with pharmacies, DME vendors, and facility staff to resolve urgent needs such as medication access, equipment failure, or safety concerns.
• Escalates safety issues, abuse/neglect concerns, or complex clinical situations to leadership immediately.
• Maintains professional boundaries and demonstrates calm, supportive communication in high‑stress situations.

Documentation & Compliance

• Completes all documentation in the EMR promptly, accurately, and in accordance with agency protocol.
• Reports adverse events, falls, medication variances, or safety concerns to the appropriate department within required timeframes.
• Utilizes proper infection control and bag technique during all in‑person visits.
• Ensures all visit notes, communications, and clinical documentation meet regulatory and agency standards.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provides psychosocial support to patients and families throughout the course of care.
• May provide nursing care to pediatric patients depending on training and organizational needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support safe, high‑quality hospice care.