Hospice Registered Nurse

Gentiva Hospice•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse (RN)/RN Case Manager provides personalized, skilled nursing care and support to hospice patients and their families in patients’ homes, assisted living settings, or other institutional settings. The RN is a primary point of contact throughout the hospice journey, delivering care in accordance with individualized plans and hospice goals, assessing changing needs, and coordinating interventions with an interdisciplinary team. The role also provides practical education, emotional support, and guidance to patients, caregivers, and loved ones regarding hospice services, medications, symptom and pain management, and end-of-life care. The RN maintains accurate clinical documentation, supports continuity of care and transitions between levels of care, follows regulatory and infection-control standards, and participates in on-call and patient support activities as applicable. The position involves travel using personal or other maintained transportation and work in patient homes or institutional settings. It is safety-sensitive and may involve exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials.

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 requested employment.
CPR certification.
Current automobile insurance and a valid driver’s license.
Ability to apply knowledge of the special needs of hospice patients and families and demonstrate understanding of hospice.
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, 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 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 and work cooperatively and tactfully with colleagues and hospice team members.
Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, a copier, and a 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 and screenings.
Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management consistent with each patient’s goals of care and individualized Plan of Care.
Develop and update individualized care plans, including visit frequency and identification of patient risks.
Educate patients, family members, and caregivers about disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care, medications, nutrition, and dietary needs.
Coordinate care with the interdisciplinary team, including physicians, nurse practitioners, LPNs, CNAs, social workers, chaplains, and other providers.
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 care, and hospice referrals and transitions in levels of care.
Document screening and assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans accurately and promptly.
Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when the care plan warrants participation.
Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including education, comfort, and bereavement guidance.
Teach caregivers how to care for patients safely and confidently, offering practical training and emotional reassurance.
Participate in on-call and patient support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive on-call services.
Follow infection-control, regulatory, compliance, and organizational policy 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.
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.
For full-time associates: free continuing education units (CEUs).
For full-time associates: company-paid life and long-term disability insurance.
For full-time associates: voluntary benefits, including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage.