Hospice Registered Nurse

Gentiva Hospice•Hampstead, NC

About The Position

Gentiva Hospice is seeking a Hospice Registered Nurse / RN Case Manager to provide personalized hospice and palliative nursing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and support their families. The nurse serves as a primary contact throughout the hospice journey and provides skilled, hands-on care in patients’ homes, assisted living facilities, or other settings where they reside. Care is guided by individualized plans of care and includes clinical assessment, symptom management, patient and caregiver education, emotional support, and coordination with an interdisciplinary team. The role includes maintaining timely and accurate clinical records, communicating changes in patient condition, supporting continuity of care and transitions between levels of care, and participating in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable. The nurse works in patient homes and/or institutional settings and uses an automobile to travel for work. The position is safety-sensitive and may involve exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials.

Requirements

Registered Nurse.
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.
Ability to apply knowledge of hospice and the needs of terminally ill patients and their 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 skills, and program management skills.
Knowledge of managed care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
Sensitivity to end-of-life issues and ability to support patients and families during a crisis.
Flexibility to perform varied tasks and adapt without loss of efficiency or composure.
Ability to communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and work cooperatively and tactfully with coworkers and hospice team members.
Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper.
Must have and maintain transportation for work.

Nice To Haves

Hospice or palliative care experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary point of contact for patients and families throughout the hospice journey.
Perform comprehensive initial and ongoing patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person or telephonic assessments and screenings.
Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management consistent with the 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.
Provide education to patients, family members, and caregivers on disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care, medications, nutrition, hospice services, and symptom and pain management.
Teach caregivers safe care techniques and provide emotional reassurance and support.
Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members, including physicians, nurse practitioners, LPNs, CNAs, social workers, and chaplains.
Communicate changes in condition and signs or symptoms of decline to the appropriate provider and care team.
Support continuity of care, appropriate referrals, and transitions among home health, palliative care, hospice, and levels of care.
Document screening and assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, care plans, and other clinical records accurately and promptly.
Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when appropriate to achieve desired outcomes.
Follow infection-control, regulatory, compliance, and organizational policy standards.
Participate in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive service.
Support quality improvement and scheduling initiatives and participate in team collaboration and interdisciplinary group activities.

Benefits

Competitive pay.
401(k) with company match.
Career advancement opportunities.
National and local recognition programs.
Teammate Assistance Fund.
For full-time associates: medical, dental, and vision insurance.
For full-time associates: mileage reimbursement or fleet vehicle program.
For full-time associates: generous paid time off and seven paid holidays.
For full-time associates: wellness programs, including telemedicine, diabetes management, and joint and spine concierge care.
For full-time associates: education support and tuition assistance, including ASN-to-BSN and BSN-to-MSN programs.
For full-time associates: free continuing education units.
For full-time associates: company-paid life and long-term disability insurance.
For full-time associates: voluntary benefits, including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage.