Hospice After Hours Registered Nurse
About The Position
Optimal Care is seeking a Hospice After Hours Registered Nurse to provide critical skilled nursing care and emotional support to terminally ill patients during their most vulnerable hours. This specialized role offers a unique 7-on/7-off schedule, allowing for half the year off while earning a full-time salary. The position is ideal for an experienced RN who thrives in autonomous settings, thinks critically under pressure, and values an exceptional work-life balance. The nurse will respond to after-hours patient and family needs, conduct admissions and visits, manage urgent symptoms, and make critical clinical decisions independently. Responsibilities also include performing comprehensive nursing assessments, administering medications, using medical equipment, providing skilled interventions, and performing phlebotomy. The role involves supporting families through crisis, offering guidance at the time of death, conducting bereavement assessments, and providing reassurance. Coordination of after-hours care includes verifying plans of care, communicating findings, assisting with discharges, and supervising home health aide and LPN care. Maintaining clinical excellence involves timely documentation, medication regimen management, and ensuring compliance with hospice regulations.
Requirements
- Graduate of an accredited Diploma, Associate, or Baccalaureate School of Nursing
- Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in state of practice
- Minimum 1 year of nursing experience in a clinical care setting
- Reliable transportation with valid driver's license and automobile insurance
- Ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
- Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking abilities
- Excellent autonomous decision-making skills with good judgment
- Emotional resilience and ability to support families facing end-of-life issues
- Outstanding communication and crisis management skills
- Comfort working independently during non-business hours
- Ability to remain calm and focused in urgent or emotionally intense situations
- Strong time management with ability to prioritize multiple urgent needs
- Cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse beliefs about death and dying
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Experience in hospice or home health environment
- Previous after-hours or on-call experience
Responsibilities
- Provide Urgent Hospice Care
- Respond promptly to after-hours patient and family needs with clinical expertise and compassion
- Conduct admissions, routine visits, respite care, or continuous care as required
- Assess and manage urgent symptoms including pain, anxiety, respiratory distress, and other comfort needs
- Make critical clinical decisions independently while collaborating with on-call physicians and team members
- Deliver Expert Clinical Nursing
- Perform comprehensive nursing assessments and continuously re-evaluate patient needs
- Demonstrate proficiency in medication administration across all routes (IM, SQ, SL, TD, PO, enteral tube, IV)
- Use durable medical equipment and devices safely and effectively
- Provide skilled interventions requiring specialized nursing expertise
- Perform phlebotomy with proper implementation of universal precautions
- Support Families Through Crisis
- Provide appropriate support and guidance at time of death
- Conduct bereavement assessments when requested
- Offer reassurance and education to anxious families during nighttime hours
- Help families navigate difficult decisions with empathy and clinical expertise
- Coordinate After-Hours Care
- Verify and follow plans of care according to physician orders and IDG assessments
- Communicate significant findings and changes to physicians, supervisors, and facility staff
- Assist with hospital discharges to home or facility settings during evening/overnight hours
- Supervise home health aide and LPN care delivery per organizational policy
- Report unsafe conditions promptly to appropriate parties
- Maintain Clinical Excellence
- Complete all documentation within 24 hours of visits
- Document medication regimens and update profiles according to procedures
- Ensure clinical notes reflect ongoing communication and care coordination
- Demonstrate knowledge of Conditions of Participation and payor requirements
- Maintain compliance with hospice regulatory standards
Benefits
- Minimum of 3 Weeks Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Company Vehicle Program for field roles
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- HSA and FSA options including Dependent Care
- Company paid Short Term Disability
- Company paid Life Insurance
- 401(k) with Employer Match
- Mileage Reimbursement
- Pet Insurance
- ID and Fraud Protection
- Competitive base salary of up to $90k (based on experience)
- Full-time pay for 26 weeks of work - only work half the year
- Comprehensive health benefits package
- 401(k) retirement plan to secure your future
- Predictable schedule with no surprise on-call requirements
- Seven full days off in a row every other week
- Comprehensive orientation including shadowing experienced after-hours nurses
- 24/7 clinical support through our on-call system
- Optimized territories that respect your time
- Ongoing education and clinical resources
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
