Hospice Registered Nurse

New Century Hospice • Beeville, TX

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse (RN) provides personalized hospice and palliative care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and supports their families. The RN serves as a primary point of contact, delivers and documents skilled nursing care in patients’ homes or institutional settings, and conducts initial and ongoing assessments to guide individualized care. The role includes symptom management, caregiver and patient education, emotional and spiritual support, care coordination with an interdisciplinary team, and timely communication about changes in patient condition. The RN also maintains complete clinical records, follows infection-control and regulatory standards, supports continuity of care and quality initiatives, and participates in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable.

The position is based in patients’ homes and/or institutional settings and involves travel by automobile. Potential exposures include infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials. The RN must maintain transportation for work and be able to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, fax equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse education.
• 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 and of hospice care and special hospice-related needs.
• Knowledge of the roles of disciplines providing hospice services and of community resources.
• Excellent patient assessment skills and good oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of documentation, program management, general nursing practice, managed care principles, and regulatory guidelines including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
• Sensitivity to end-of-life issues; tact and ability to support patients and families during crises.
• Ability to adapt, change tasks without losing efficiency or composure, and communicate effectively with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Maturity, cooperation, flexibility, and tact in working with coworkers and hospice team members.
• Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, fax equipment, copier, and cell phone or beeper.
• Must have and maintain transportation for work.

Nice To Haves

• Hospice or palliative care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephonic RN assessments or screenings, and provide education as appropriate.
• Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management aligned with each patient’s goals of care.
• Develop and update individualized plans of care, including visit frequency, to meet patient needs and identify risks.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members, including 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 or signs and 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 assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when warranted by the care plan.
• 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 and guide them through the hospice journey.
• Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including bereavement guidance.
• Teach caregivers safe care techniques and provide practical and emotional support.
• Follow infection-control, compliance, regulatory, and organizational 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 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
• Seven paid holidays
• Wellness programs, including telemedicine, diabetes management, and joint and spine concierge care
• Education support and tuition assistance
• Free continuing education units (CEUs)
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care benefits

What This Job Offers

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