Hospice Registered Nurse

SouthernCare New Beacon Hospice • Gadsden, AL

3d

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. Care is delivered in patients’ homes, assisted living facilities, or other institutional settings, and is guided by each patient’s goals and individualized Plan of Care.

The RN serves as a primary contact for patients and families; conducts comprehensive assessments and reassessments; delivers skilled nursing interventions and symptom management; develops and updates care plans; and coordinates care with physicians and interdisciplinary team members. The role includes educating and supporting patients, caregivers, and loved ones about disease processes, medications, hospice services, symptom management, nutrition, and end-of-life care. The nurse also documents clinical care, communicates changes in patient condition, supports continuity and transitions of care, and participates in on-call activities as applicable.

The position involves work in patient homes and institutional settings, as well as travel by automobile. It is safety-sensitive and may involve exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials. The nurse must maintain transportation for work and be able to use nursing assessment tools, computers, fax and copier equipment, and a cell phone or beeper.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse education and a 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.
• Ability to maintain transportation for work.
• Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families, hospice, hospice disciplines, community resources, and general nursing practice.
• Strong patient assessment, oral and written communication, documentation, and program-management skills.
• Knowledge of managed-care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
• Ability to provide sensitive, tactful support to patients and families facing life-and-death issues and crises.
• Flexibility to perform varied tasks while maintaining efficiency and composure.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds and work cooperatively with coworkers and hospice team members.
• Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, fax machines, copiers, and a cell phone or beeper.

Nice To Haves

• Hospice or palliative care experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person or telephone assessments and screenings.
• Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management consistent with patient goals of care.
• Develop and update individualized plans of care, including visit frequency and identification of patient risks.
• Coordinate care with physicians, nurse practitioners, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Educate patients, families, 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, including appropriate referrals and transitions among home health, palliative care, hospice, and levels of care.
• Maintain timely and accurate clinical records, including assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans.
• Maintain working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when patient care warrants participation.
• Participate in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable, responding in a clinically competent and timely manner.
• Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including education, comfort, and bereavement guidance.
• Teach caregivers to provide safe and confident care for their loved ones.
• Follow infection-control, regulatory, and compliance standards.
• Support quality-improvement and scheduling initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive pay.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• National and local recognition programs.
• Teammate Assistance Fund.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible full-time associates.
• Mileage reimbursement or fleet vehicle program for eligible full-time associates.
• Generous paid time off and seven paid holidays for eligible full-time associates.
• Wellness programs, including telemedicine, diabetes management, and joint and spine concierge care, for eligible full-time associates.
• Education support and tuition assistance, including ASN-to-BSN and BSN-to-MSN support, for eligible full-time associates.
• Free continuing education units for eligible full-time associates.
• Company-paid life and long-term disability insurance for eligible full-time associates.
• Voluntary benefits, including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed