Hospice Registered Nurse

Heartland Hospice • Wentzville, MO

12d • Onsite

About The Position

Heartland Hospice, part of Gentiva, seeks a Registered Nurse to provide personalized hospice and palliative care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and support their families. The RN serves as a primary point of contact, delivering hands-on nursing care in patients’ homes or institutional settings and guiding patients and families through the hospice journey. The position includes assessment, symptom management, care planning, patient and caregiver education, interdisciplinary coordination, timely documentation, and participation in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable.

The RN works with patients, families, caregivers, physicians, nurse practitioners, and an interdisciplinary group to provide care aligned with each patient’s goals. The role also supports continuity of care and appropriate transitions among home health, palliative, and hospice services. Work takes place in patients’ homes and/or institutional settings and in an automobile; potential exposure includes infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials.

Requirements

• 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.
• CPR certification.
• Current automobile insurance and a valid driver’s license.
• Maintain transportation for work.
• 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.
• Strong patient assessment skills and knowledge of general nursing practice.
• Good oral and written communication skills, documentation, and program-management capabilities.
• Knowledge of managed-care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
• Ability to provide sensitive, tactful support to patients and families facing terminal illness and crisis.
• Flexibility to perform varied tasks while maintaining efficiency and composure; effective communication with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds; maturity, cooperation, and tact in the workplace.
• Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, copier, and cell phone or beeper.

Nice To Haves

• Hospice or palliative care experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person or telephonic assessments and screenings.
• Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management aligned with patients’ goals of care.
• Develop and update individualized plans of care, including visit frequency and identified risks.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members and consult with physicians and nurse practitioners.
• Educate patients, families, and caregivers on 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, referrals, and transitions among home health, palliative, hospice, and other levels of care as appropriate.
• Document clinical records, including assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans, in a timely manner.
• Maintain working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when needed to achieve care-plan goals.
• Participate in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive service.
• Teach caregivers safe and confident care practices and provide practical and emotional support.
• Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including bereavement guidance.
• Follow infection-control, regulatory, compliance, and organizational 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 insurance for full-time associates
• Dental insurance for full-time associates
• 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
• Education support and tuition assistance for ASN-to-BSN and BSN-to-MSN programs
• Free continuing education units (CEUs)
• Company-paid life and long-term disability insurance for full-time associates
• Voluntary pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care benefits

What This Job Offers

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