Hospice Registered Nurse

Gentiva Hospice•Richmond, VA

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse (RN) / RN Case Manager provides personalized hospice and palliative nursing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and supports their families and caregivers. The RN serves as a primary point of contact throughout the hospice journey, delivering and documenting skilled nursing care according to individualized plans of care in patients’ homes, assisted living residences, or other institutional settings. The role includes comprehensive assessments and reassessments, symptom management, care planning, patient and caregiver education, and coordination with an interdisciplinary team. The nurse provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support, communicates changes in patient condition to the appropriate providers, helps patients and families understand hospice services and end-of-life care, and maintains accurate clinical records in accordance with regulatory and organizational standards. The position also supports continuity of care, quality improvement, scheduling initiatives, and on-call patient support as applicable.

Requirements

Registered Nurse education.
Current license to practice nursing in the state of requested employment.
At least one year of RN experience in acute care hospital, oncology, long-term care, hospice, or home health; school internships and clinical hours may be considered in individual cases.
Current CPR certification.
Current automobile insurance and a valid driver’s license.
Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families and understanding of hospice and the special needs of hospice patients and families.
Knowledge of the roles of disciplines providing hospice services and of community resources.
Excellent patient assessment skills and knowledge of general nursing practice.
Good oral and written communication skills, documentation ability, and program management skills.
Knowledge of managed care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
Ability to sensitively support patients and families facing life-and-death issues and times of crisis.
Ability to adapt to varied tasks without loss of efficiency or composure and communicate effectively with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Maturity, cooperation, flexibility, and tact in working with coworkers and hospice team members.
Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, fax equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper.
Must have and maintain transportation for work.
Ability to meet applicable state-specific requirements and the requirements of a safety-sensitive position.

Nice To Haves

Hospice or palliative care experience.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephonic RN assessments and screenings.
Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management aligned with the patient’s goals of care.
Develop and update individualized plans of care, including visit frequency and identified patient risks.
Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members, including physicians and nurse practitioners.
Provide education to patients, family members, and caregivers about disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care, medications, nutrition, and dietary needs.
Communicate changes in condition and signs or symptoms of decline to the appropriate provider.
Support continuity of care by recognizing and supporting appropriate home health, palliative care, and hospice referrals and transitions in levels of care.
Document screening and assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans in a timely manner.
Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when the care plan requires collaboration.
Participate in on-call and patient support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive service.
Guide patients and families through the hospice journey and provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support, including bereavement guidance.
Teach caregivers safe care techniques and provide practical training and emotional reassurance.
Follow infection control, compliance, and regulatory standards.
Support organizational quality improvement and scheduling initiatives.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Wellness programs and resources
401(k) with company match
Paid time off
Seven paid holidays
FMLA, ADA, and other federal and state-required leaves
Short-term and long-term disability
Health Savings Account contribution
Mileage reimbursement or fleet vehicle program
Cell phone reimbursement for eligible roles
Short-term incentive for eligible roles
Tuition reimbursement and education support
Free continuing education units
Company-paid life insurance
Voluntary benefits, including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage
Career advancement opportunities
National and local recognition programs
Teammate Assistance Fund
Telemedicine, diabetes management, and joint and spine concierge care