RN

Hillcrest Health & LIving • Council Bluffs, IA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Hillcrest Home Care is seeking a compassionate, experienced, and patient-focused Hospice Nurse (RN) to join their hospice care team. Hillcrest Home Care offers personalized hospice services to patients in their homes, including private residences and senior living or care communities. The hospice team prioritizes comfort, dignity, quality of life, and provides support to both patients and their families throughout the end-of-life journey. The mission is to inspire people to live their best lives. As a Hospice Nurse (RN), the role involves providing direct patient care, managing an individualized caseload with a focus on symptom management, bedside care, crisis intervention, and family support. This position requires building meaningful relationships with patients and families and collaborating with an interdisciplinary hospice team to deliver coordinated, compassionate end-of-life care.

Requirements

• Strong nursing assessment and clinical decision-making skills.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program required.
• At least three years of nursing experience required.
• Active Registered Nurse license in Iowa or a compact state required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association required.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Current automobile insurance required.
• Must be able to speak, read, and write English.
• Must be able to independently lift up to 35 pounds.
• Must be able to perform repetitive sitting, bending, standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and movement as needed.
• Must be flexible and calm when supporting patients and families during emotional, stressful, or changing situations.
• Must be comfortable providing hospice nursing care in private homes and facility environments.
• Must be able to travel to multiple patient locations.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance within established requirements.
• Must be able to work independently while remaining connected to the interdisciplinary hospice team.
• Must be able to utilize clinical technology and available resources efficiently and effectively.
• Must participate in on-call and backup call responsibilities as required.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.

Nice To Haves

• Previous hospice or home care nursing experience preferred.
• Experience with symptom management and end-of-life care.
• A compassionate, patient, and respectful approach to hospice nursing.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with patients and families.
• Comfort supporting patients and families during emotional, difficult, or rapidly changing situations.
• Strong patient and family education skills.
• Ability to recognize changes in condition and respond appropriately.
• Strong communication skills with physicians, caregivers, facility teams, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Experience coordinating care across multiple disciplines.
• Strong documentation, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to independently manage a patient caseload and schedule.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Comfort traveling between patient homes and facility settings.
• Ability to work independently while remaining closely connected to the interdisciplinary hospice team.
• A commitment to providing care that respects each patient’s individual goals, choices, and wishes.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing preferred.
• At least two years of Hospice or Home Care nursing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and provide skilled nursing care to hospice patients wherever they call home, managing symptoms, promoting comfort, and supporting patients and families throughout the end-of-life journey.
• Complete comprehensive nursing assessments of each patient’s physical, functional, psychosocial, spiritual, cultural, environmental, and nutritional needs.
• Develop and manage individualized plans of care based on patient needs, goals, and preferences.
• Provide skilled nursing visits focused on comfort, symptom management, and quality of life.
• Continually evaluate patient needs and adjust the plan of care as conditions change.
• Educate patients and families about the disease process, self-care techniques, symptom management, and end-of-life care.
• Provide support and education to help patients and families navigate difficult decisions and changes in condition.
• Communicate professionally with physicians, patients, families, caregivers, facility teams, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Coordinate services provided by all disciplines involved in the patient’s care.
• Communicate changes in patient condition promptly to the appropriate physician and hospice team members.
• Keep patients and caregivers informed of visit schedules and changes.
• Help patients and families understand their rights, responsibilities, and options related to care.
• Provide nursing services according to the established plan of care and nursing process.
• Complete clinical assessments, progress notes, and other required documentation at the point of care.
• Develop, document, and revise Hospice Assistant care plans based on changes in the patient’s condition.
• Prepare clinical information for interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Communicate patient-status changes and recommended interventions to physicians and interdisciplinary team members.
• Participate in team conferences to ensure patient and family needs are coordinated and prioritized.
• Participate in quality improvement activities and programs.
• Provide specialized hospice education to team members, patients, families, and informal caregivers.
• Communicate professionally with referral sources and community partners regarding patient-care needs and expectations.
• Participate in on-call and backup call rotations as needed to support patient care.
• Assist with additional hospice nursing responsibilities as assigned.
• Participate in on-call and backup call rotations as needed to support patient care.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Multiple health insurance plan options for eligible team members.
• Vision, dental, and life insurance.
• Professional development support, including continuing education, certifications, and career-growth opportunities.
• Dayforce Wallet, allowing you to choose when you get paid.
• Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level