Hospice Registered Nurse

Gentiva Hospice•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse (RN)/RN Case Manager delivers personalized hospice and palliative nursing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses in their homes, assisted living facilities, or other settings where they live. The nurse serves as a primary contact for patients and families, providing skilled nursing care, assessment, symptom management, education, emotional support, and guidance throughout the hospice journey. The role involves developing and updating individualized plans of care, coordinating with an interdisciplinary team, communicating changes in patient condition, supporting transitions in care, and maintaining timely and accurate clinical documentation. The nurse also participates in on-call and patient support activities as applicable and supports quality improvement, scheduling, and regulatory compliance initiatives.

Requirements

Registered Nurse education and a current license to practice nursing in the state of employment.
At least one year of RN experience in acute care, oncology, long-term care, hospice, or home health; school internships and clinical hours may be considered in individual cases.
Current CPR certification.
Current automobile insurance and a valid driver's license.
Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families, hospice care, hospice disciplines, community resources, and general nursing practice.
Strong patient assessment skills and knowledge of managed care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
Good oral and written communication, documentation, and program management skills.
Ability to support patients and families facing end-of-life issues and crises with sensitivity and tact.
Ability to adapt to changing tasks while maintaining efficiency and composure.
Ability to communicate effectively with people of varied socioeconomic backgrounds and cooperate flexibly and tactfully 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.
Ability to work in patients' homes and/or institutional settings and in an automobile, with potential exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials.

Nice To Haves

Hospice or palliative care experience.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive initial and ongoing patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephone RN assessments or screenings.
Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management in alignment with each patient's goals of care and individualized Plan of Care.
Develop and update individualized care plans, including patient visit frequency and identified risks.
Coordinate patient care with interdisciplinary team members, including physicians, nurse practitioners, LPNs, CNAs, social workers, and chaplains.
Educate patients, families, and caregivers about disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care, medications, nutrition, hospice services, and symptom and pain management.
Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including comfort and bereavement guidance.
Teach caregivers to provide care safely and confidently, offering practical instruction and reassurance.
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 in timely and accurate clinical records.
Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when the care plan warrants team participation.
Participate in on-call and patient support activities as applicable, responding in a clinically competent and timely manner.
Follow infection control, regulatory, and organizational compliance 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 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 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