Hospice Registered Nurse

SouthernCare New Beacon Hospice • Homewood, AL

15d

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse (RN Case Manager) serves as a primary contact for hospice patients and their families, providing skilled, individualized nursing care and guidance throughout the hospice journey. Care is delivered in patients’ homes, assisted living settings, or other places they call home, and is based on an individualized Plan of Care. The RN assesses patients, manages symptoms, coordinates with an interdisciplinary team, and supports patients and loved ones emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The role also includes caregiver education, clinical documentation, infection control and regulatory compliance, and participation in quality improvement, scheduling, and on-call activities as applicable.

The position requires at least one year of RN experience in acute care hospital, oncology, long-term care, hospice, or home health. Hospice or palliative care experience is preferred. The RN must hold a current nursing license in the state of employment, CPR certification, current automobile insurance, and a valid driver’s license. Work takes place in patients’ homes and/or institutional settings and in an automobile, with potential exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials. The employee must maintain transportation for work and operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper.

SouthernCare New Beacon Hospice is part of Gentiva, a national provider of hospice, palliative care, home health care, and advanced illness management. The company describes a collaborative environment where achievements are recognized and kindness is celebrated. This is a safety-sensitive position.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse education.
• 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 license to practice nursing in the state of requested employment.
• 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.
• Strong patient assessment skills and knowledge of general nursing practice.
• Good oral and written communication skills, documentation, and program management skills.
• Knowledge of managed care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
• Sensitivity to life-and-death issues affecting people with terminal illness; tact and the ability to support patients and families in crisis.
• Flexibility to perform varied tasks and adapt to changing responsibilities without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and work responsibly and cooperatively with coworkers and hospice team members.
• Ability to effectively operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper.
• Must have and maintain transportation for work.
• Ability to meet minimum requirements to be eligible for benefits and applicable state-specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Hospice or palliative care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for patients and families and guide them through the hospice journey.
• Perform comprehensive initial and ongoing patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephonic RN assessments and screenings.
• Deliver and document skilled nursing interventions and symptom management in accordance with each patient’s goals of care and individualized Plan of Care.
• Develop and update individualized plans of care, including visit frequency and identification of patient needs and risks.
• Monitor patient condition and communicate changes, signs of decline, and other important updates to the appropriate provider and care team.
• Coordinate care with physicians, nurse practitioners, LPNs, CNAs, social workers, chaplains, and other interdisciplinary team members.
• Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including comfort and bereavement guidance.
• Educate patients, caregivers, and family members about disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care and expectations, medications, medication administration, symptom and pain management, nutrition, hospice philosophy, and services.
• Teach caregivers how to care for patients safely and confidently, providing practical training and emotional reassurance.
• Support continuity of care by recognizing and supporting appropriate home health, palliative, and hospice referrals and transitions between levels of care.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete clinical records, including assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans.
• Follow infection control, regulatory, and organizational policy standards.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when needed to achieve desired outcomes.
• Participate in on-call and patient support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive on-call services.
• Support quality improvement and scheduling initiatives to promote consistent, compassionate, and efficient care.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with company match
• Career advancement opportunities
• National and local recognition programs
• Teammate Assistance Fund
• Medical insurance for full-time associates
• Dental insurance for full-time associates
• Vision insurance for full-time associates
• Mileage reimbursement or fleet vehicle program for full-time associates
• Generous paid time off for full-time associates
• Seven paid holidays for full-time associates
• Wellness programs, including telemedicine, diabetes management, and joint and spine concierge care
• Education support and tuition assistance, including ASN to BSN and BSN to MSN, for full-time associates
• Free continuing education units
• Company-paid life insurance for full-time associates
• Company-paid long-term disability insurance for 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed