Hospice Registered Nurse
About The Position
Heartland Hospice is seeking a Registered Nurse to provide compassionate, individualized hospice care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and support their families. The nurse serves as a primary contact for patients and families and delivers skilled nursing care in patients’ homes, assisted living facilities, or other institutional settings. The role includes comprehensive assessments, symptom management, individualized care planning, patient and caregiver education, coordination with an interdisciplinary team, timely clinical documentation, and participation in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable. The nurse helps patients and families understand hospice services and philosophy, medication administration, symptom and pain management, nutrition, and end-of-life processes. The position requires sound clinical judgment, empathy, flexibility, effective communication, regulatory compliance, and the ability to work collaboratively with patients, caregivers, providers, and hospice team members. Work takes place in patient homes and/or institutional settings and in an automobile, with potential exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials. This is a safety-sensitive position.
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 hospital, oncology, long-term care, hospice, or home health; school internships and clinical hours may be considered in individual cases.
- CPR certification.
- Current automobile insurance and a valid driver’s license.
- Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families, 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, oral and written communication, documentation, and program-management skills.
- Knowledge of general nursing practice and managed-care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
- Ability to support patients and families through life-and-death issues and crises, communicate effectively across socioeconomic backgrounds, and work with tact, maturity, cooperation, and flexibility.
- Ability to perform varied tasks and adapt without loss of efficiency or composure.
- Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, copier, and 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 telephone assessments or screenings, and provide education as appropriate.
- Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management aligned with patient goals of care.
- Develop and update individualized plans of care, 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 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 care, hospice, and levels of care.
- Document patient screening and assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans in a timely manner.
- Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when indicated by the patient’s care plan.
- Participate in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive on-call services.
- Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including education, comfort, and bereavement guidance.
- Teach caregivers safe and confident care techniques and provide practical training and emotional reassurance.
- Maintain infection-control and compliance standards and 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
- 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
- Voluntary benefits, including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
