Hospice Registered Nurse

Gentiva Hospice • Columbus, OH

1d

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse (RN) provides personalized, skilled hospice nursing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and supports their families and caregivers. The RN is a primary point of contact throughout the hospice journey, delivering care in patients’ homes, assisted living facilities, or other institutional settings. The role includes comprehensive patient assessments, symptom management, education, care coordination, and timely clinical documentation in accordance with individualized plans of care and applicable standards.

The RN collaborates with an interdisciplinary group that may include physicians, nurse practitioners, LPNs, CNAs, social workers, and chaplains. They provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support; help patients and families understand hospice services, medications, pain and symptom management, and end-of-life processes; and support continuity of care and transitions between levels of care. The position also participates in on-call and patient support activities as applicable.

The work takes place in patients’ homes and/or institutional settings, as well as in an automobile. It may involve exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials. The role requires transportation for work and use of nursing assessment tools, computers, fax machines, copiers, and a cell phone or beeper.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse education and qualification.
• 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, 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 skills, and program management knowledge.
• Thorough knowledge of managed care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
• Sensitivity to life-and-death issues and tact in supporting patients and families during crises.
• Ability to perform a variety of tasks and adapt to changing duties without losing efficiency or composure.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and cooperate with coworkers and hospice team members.
• Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, fax equipment, copiers, and a cell phone or beeper.
• Must have and maintain transportation for work.
• Must meet applicable minimum and state-specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Hospice or palliative care experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary 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 assessments or screenings.
• Deliver and document skilled nursing interventions and symptom management aligned with patient goals of care.
• Develop and update individualized plans of care, including visit frequency, based on patient needs and identified risks.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members and consult with physicians and nurse practitioners.
• Provide patient, family, and caregiver education on disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care, medications, nutrition, and dietary needs.
• Teach caregivers safe and confident caregiving practices and provide emotional reassurance.
• Communicate changes in condition and signs or symptoms of decline to the appropriate provider.
• Support continuity of care, referrals, and transitions between home health, palliative care, hospice, and different levels of care as appropriate.
• Maintain timely, accurate clinical records, including assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when needed to achieve care plan goals.
• Participate in on-call and patient support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive service.
• Follow infection-control, regulatory, policy, and compliance standards.
• Support quality improvement and scheduling initiatives.
• Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones, including bereavement guidance.

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
• Generous paid time off and seven 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 support
• Free continuing education units (CEUs)
• Company-paid life insurance for full-time associates
• Company-paid long-term disability insurance for full-time associates
• Voluntary pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care benefits

What This Job Offers

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