Hospice Registered Nurse

Gentiva Hospice•Asheboro, NC

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse (RN) / RN Case Manager provides skilled, compassionate hospice nursing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and supports their families throughout the hospice journey. Care is delivered in patients’ homes, assisted living facilities, or other settings where they reside. The RN serves as a primary contact for patients and families, assesses patient needs, delivers symptom management, and develops and updates individualized plans of care. The RN works with an interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurse practitioners, LPNs, CNAs, social workers, chaplains, and other care professionals. The role includes educating patients and caregivers about hospice services, disease processes, medications, nutrition, end-of-life care, and symptom management; providing emotional and practical support; communicating changes in condition; and maintaining timely, accurate clinical records. The RN also supports continuity of care, quality improvement, scheduling initiatives, and on-call patient support as applicable. The position involves work in patients’ homes and/or institutional settings, as well as an automobile. Potential exposures include infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials. The employee must maintain transportation for work and be able to use nursing assessment tools, computers, fax equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper. This is a safety-sensitive position.

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 employment.
CPR certification.
Current automobile insurance and a valid driver’s license.
Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families and an 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.
Strong patient assessment skills and knowledge of general nursing practice.
Good oral and written communication, documentation, and program-management skills.
Knowledge of managed care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
Sensitivity to the impact of life-and-death issues and the ability to support patients and families during a crisis.
Ability to adapt to changing tasks while maintaining efficiency and composure, communicate effectively with people of varied socioeconomic backgrounds, and work cooperatively and tactfully with the hospice team.
Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, fax equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper.
Ability to maintain transportation for work.

Nice To Haves

Hospice or palliative care experience.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive initial and ongoing patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephonic RN assessments or screenings.
Deliver and document skilled nursing interventions and symptom management in accordance with each patient’s goals of care and individualized Plan of Care.
Develop and update individualized plans of care, including patient visit frequency and identification of patient risks.
Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members and consult with physicians and nurse practitioners as needed.
Educate patients, families, and caregivers about disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care, hospice services, medications, nutrition, and dietary needs.
Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including caregiver training, comfort, and bereavement guidance.
Communicate changes in patient condition and signs or symptoms of decline to the appropriate provider and care team.
Support continuity of care, including appropriate home health, palliative care, and hospice referrals and transitions between levels of care.
Maintain timely and 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 patient care needs warrant participation.
Participate in on-call and patient support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive service.
Follow infection control, regulatory, compliance, and organizational standards.
Support quality improvement and scheduling initiatives to help ensure care is consistent, compassionate, and efficient.

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 support.
For full-time associates: free continuing education units (CEUs).
For full-time associates: company-paid life and long-term disability insurance.
Voluntary benefits, including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage.