Hospice Registered Nurse

Heartland Hospice • Indianapolis, IN

2d

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse (RN) / RN Case Manager provides personalized, skilled hospice nursing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and supports their families and caregivers. The nurse serves as a primary point of contact throughout the hospice journey, delivering care in patients’ homes, assisted living facilities, or other settings where they reside.

The role includes comprehensive initial and ongoing assessments, symptom management, development and adjustment of individualized plans of care, and coordination with an interdisciplinary team. The nurse educates patients and caregivers about medications, hospice services, disease processes, nutrition, end-of-life care, and safe caregiving, while offering emotional support and guidance. The RN documents care and assessment findings, communicates changes in condition to providers, supports transitions among levels of care, and participates in on-call and patient support activities as applicable.

Work takes place in patients’ homes and/or institutional settings, as well as in an automobile. The position may involve exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials. The role requires use of nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper, and the employee must maintain transportation for work.

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.
• Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families and 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.
• Excellent patient assessment skills and knowledge of general nursing practice.
• Good oral and written communication skills, documentation ability, and program management knowledge.
• Knowledge of managed care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
• Ability to support patients and families facing life-and-death issues and crises, communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, and work flexibly and collaboratively with colleagues and the hospice team.
• Ability to effectively operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper.
• Must have and maintain transportation to be used for work.

Nice To Haves

• Hospice or palliative care experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephonic RN assessments or screenings.
• Deliver and document skilled nursing interventions and symptom management in line 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 needs and risks.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members and consult with physicians and nurse practitioners.
• Educate patients, families, 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, including appropriate referrals and transitions among home health, palliative, hospice, and other 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 needed to achieve desired outcomes.
• Participate in on-call and patient support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive service.
• Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones, including comfort and bereavement guidance.
• Teach caregivers how to care for patients safely and confidently.
• 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.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for full-time associates.
• Mileage reimbursement or fleet vehicle program.
• Generous paid time off and seven paid holidays for full-time associates.
• Wellness programs, including telemedicine, diabetes management, and joint and spine concierge care.
• Education support and tuition assistance, including ASN-to-BSN and BSN-to-MSN support.
• Free continuing education units (CEUs).
• Company-paid life and long-term disability insurance for full-time associates.
• Voluntary benefits, including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage.

What This Job Offers

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