Hospice Registered Nurse

Heartland Hospice•Macon, GA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse serves as a primary point of contact for patients and families throughout the hospice journey, delivering personalized, skilled nursing care in patients’ homes or institutional settings. The RN assesses patient needs and condition, manages symptoms, develops and updates individualized plans of care, and coordinates care with an interdisciplinary team. The role also provides education, emotional support, and guidance to patients, caregivers, and loved ones, including support related to medications, hospice services, end-of-life care, and bereavement. The RN maintains timely and accurate clinical documentation, follows regulatory and infection-control requirements, and may participate in on-call and patient-support activities. This is a safety-sensitive position involving travel to patient locations and potential exposure to infections and hazardous materials.

Requirements

Registered Nurse education and current license to practice nursing in the state of requested employment.
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 CPR certification.
Valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance; must have and maintain transportation for work.
Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families, hospice, hospice disciplines, community resources, general nursing practice, and managed care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
Excellent patient assessment skills and oral and written communication skills; knowledge of documentation and program management.
Ability to support patients and families facing life-and-death issues and crises, communicate with people of varied socioeconomic backgrounds, and work flexibly and effectively with coworkers and the hospice team.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily and meet applicable state-specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

Hospice or palliative care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive in-person or telephone patient assessments and reassessments, and educate patients, family members, and caregivers as appropriate.
Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management in alignment 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 and consult with 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 and signs or symptoms of decline to the appropriate provider.
Support continuity of care by recognizing and supporting home health, palliative care, and hospice referrals and transitions between levels of care.
Maintain timely clinical records, including screening and 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 desired outcomes.
Participate in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive services.
Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including education, comfort, and bereavement guidance.
Teach caregivers to care for patients safely and confidently.
Follow infection-control, regulatory, compliance, and organizational standards.
Support quality improvement and scheduling initiatives.
Use nursing assessment tools, computers, fax machines, copiers, and a cell phone or beeper; maintain transportation for work.

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 for ASN-to-BSN and BSN-to-MSN programs.
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 pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care benefits.