Hospice Registered Nurse

Heartland Hospice • Mishawaka, IN

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Heartland Hospice is seeking a Registered Nurse to provide personalized hospice and palliative care to patients facing life-limiting illness. The RN serves as a primary point of contact for patients and families and delivers skilled nursing care in patients’ homes, assisted living settings, or other places they call home. The role includes assessing patient needs, managing symptoms, developing and updating individualized plans of care, coordinating with an interdisciplinary team, and supporting patients and loved ones through education and emotional, physical, and spiritual care.

The nurse documents clinical care and assessment findings, communicates changes in patient condition, supports continuity of care and transitions between service levels, and participates in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable. The position requires work in patient homes and/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.
• 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 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.
• Strong patient-assessment skills and knowledge of general nursing practice.
• Oral and written communication, documentation, and program-management skills.
• Knowledge of managed-care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
• Ability to support patients and families facing life-and-death issues and to communicate effectively with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Flexibility to perform varied tasks while maintaining efficiency and composure; maturity, cooperation, tact, and the ability to work effectively with coworkers and hospice-team members.
• Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, copier, and cell phone or beeper.
• Must have and maintain transportation for work.

Nice To Haves

• Hospice or palliative care experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephonic RN assessments and screenings, and provide education to patients, family members, and caregivers.
• Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management aligned with 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, including physicians and nurse practitioners.
• Provide education regarding disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care, medications, nutrition, and dietary needs.
• Communicate changes in condition or signs and symptoms of decline to the appropriate provider.
• Support continuity of care, referrals to home health, palliative care, and hospice, and transitions between levels of care.
• Document screening and assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans in a timely manner.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when the care plan warrants participation.
• Participate in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive on-call services.
• Serve as a primary contact for patients and families throughout the hospice journey.
• Teach caregivers how to provide care safely and confidently, offering practical instruction and emotional reassurance.
• Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including bereavement guidance.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and follow infection-control, compliance, and regulatory 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 full-time associates
• Mileage reimbursement or fleet vehicle program for full-time associates
• Generous paid time off and 7 paid holidays for full-time associates
• Wellness programs, including telemedicine, diabetes management, and Joint & Spine Concierge Care, for full-time associates
• Education support and tuition assistance 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 pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care benefits for full-time associates

What This Job Offers

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