Hospice Registered Nurse

Gentiva Hospice•Johnson City, TN

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse (RN), also referred to as an RN Case Manager, provides personalized hospice and palliative nursing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and supports their families. The nurse serves as a primary point of contact, delivers hands-on care in patients’ homes or institutional settings, assesses and monitors patient conditions, and adjusts care according to individualized plans. The role includes symptom management, patient and caregiver education, emotional and spiritual support, care coordination with an interdisciplinary team, and timely clinical documentation. The RN may participate in on-call and patient-support activities and helps maintain continuity of care, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement.

Requirements

Registered Nurse.
Current license to practice nursing in the state of requested employment.
Current CPR certification.
Current automobile insurance and a valid driver’s license.
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.
Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families, hospice services, 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.
Knowledge of documentation, program management, and managed care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Sensitivity and tact in addressing end-of-life issues and supporting patients and families during crises.
Ability to adapt to varied tasks without loss of efficiency or composure and to communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Maturity, cooperation, flexibility, and tact in working with coworkers and hospice team members.
Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper.
Ability to maintain transportation for work.

Nice To Haves

Hospice or palliative care experience.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive initial and ongoing patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephonic assessments or screenings.
Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management in alignment with each patient’s goals of care.
Develop and update individualized plans of care, including visit frequency and identification of patient risks.
Coordinate care with the interdisciplinary team and consult with physicians and nurse practitioners.
Educate patients, families, and caregivers about disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care, medications, nutrition, and dietary needs.
Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones, including comfort and bereavement guidance.
Teach caregivers practical and safe care techniques and provide emotional reassurance.
Communicate changes in condition and signs or symptoms of decline to the appropriate provider.
Support continuity of care, including appropriate home health, palliative care, and hospice referrals and transitions between levels of care.
Document clinical records promptly, including assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans.
Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when the care plan warrants collaboration.
Participate in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable, responding in a clinically competent and timely manner.
Follow infection-control, regulatory, compliance, and organizational policy 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 programs, for eligible full-time associates.
Free continuing education units.
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.