Hospice Registered Nurse

SouthernCare • Kokomo, IN

3d

About The Position

SouthernCare, part of Gentiva, is seeking a Hospice Registered Nurse / RN Case Manager to provide personalized hospice and palliative care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and support their families. The nurse serves as a primary contact for patients and families and delivers skilled nursing care in patients’ homes, assisted living facilities, or other institutional settings. Care is guided by individualized plans of care and includes assessment, symptom management, education, coordination, and ongoing clinical documentation.

The RN collaborates with an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, nurse practitioners, LPNs, CNAs, social workers, and chaplains. The role includes providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones; teaching caregivers; communicating changes in condition; supporting transitions between levels of care; and participating in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable. The position involves work in patient homes or institutional settings and in an automobile, with potential exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials. This is a safety-sensitive position.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse education and qualification.
• At least one year of experience as an RN 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.
• Excellent patient assessment skills and knowledge of general nursing practice.
• Good oral and written communication skills, documentation, and program-management skills.
• Thorough knowledge of managed-care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
• Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper.
• Must have and maintain transportation for work.
• Sensitivity to end-of-life issues; tact and ability to support patients and families during crises.
• Flexibility to perform varied tasks while maintaining efficiency and composure; ability to communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Maturity, responsibility, cooperation, and tact in dealings with coworkers and hospice team members.

Nice To Haves

• Hospice or palliative care experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephonic RN assessments or screenings, and provide education to patients, family members, and caregivers.
• Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management in alignment with patients’ goals of care.
• Develop and update individualized plans of care, including visit frequency, to address patient needs and identified risks.
• Coordinate care with the interdisciplinary team, including consulting with physicians and nurse practitioners.
• Educate patients 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, and hospice referrals and transitions in levels of care.
• Document clinical records promptly, including screening and assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when the patient’s care plan warrants participation to achieve desired outcomes.
• Participate in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive on-call services.
• Guide patients and families through the hospice journey and explain hospice philosophy and services, medication administration, symptom and pain management, and end-of-life processes and expectations.
• Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including comfort and bereavement guidance.
• Teach caregivers to care for patients safely and confidently, providing practical training and emotional reassurance.
• Maintain accurate and current documentation and follow infection-control, compliance, regulatory, and policy standards.
• 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, dental, and vision insurance for full-time associates
• Mileage reimbursement or fleet vehicle program
• Generous paid time off and 7 paid holidays
• 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 programs
• Free continuing education units (CEUs)
• Company-paid life and long-term disability insurance
• 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