Hospice Registered Nurse

Heartland Hospice•Midland, MI

21d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hospice Registered Nurse provides personalized, skilled nursing care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. The nurse serves as a primary point of contact throughout the hospice journey, delivering care in patients’ homes, assisted living facilities, or other institutional settings. Care is guided by each patient’s individualized plan of care and includes assessment, symptom management, caregiver education, and emotional, physical, and spiritual support. The role works closely with an interdisciplinary group, including physicians, nurse practitioners, LPNs, CNAs, social workers, and chaplains, to coordinate care and respond to changes in patient condition. The nurse documents clinical care, supports transitions and referrals across levels of care, participates in on-call activities as applicable, and follows applicable infection control, regulatory, and organizational standards. The position requires travel to patient locations and use of personal or other transportation for work. It is identified as safety-sensitive.

Requirements

Registered Nurse education and qualification.
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 skills, and program management knowledge.
Knowledge of managed care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
Ability to support people facing life-and-death issues and crises, communicate with people from varied 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 effectively operate nursing assessment tools, computers, fax machines, copiers, and a cell phone or beeper.
Must have and maintain transportation for work.
Must meet applicable state-specific requirements and minimum requirements for benefits eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Hospice or palliative care experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person or telephone assessments and screenings.
Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management consistent with patient goals of care.
Develop and update individualized plans of care, including visit frequency and identification of patient risks.
Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members and consult with physicians and nurse practitioners.
Educate patients, family members, and caregivers about disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care, medications, nutrition, and dietary needs.
Explain hospice philosophy and services, medication administration, symptom and pain management, and end-of-life processes and expectations.
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.
Document screening and assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, care plans, and other clinical records in a timely manner.
Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when needed to achieve care plan outcomes.
Participate in on-call and patient support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive service.
Follow infection control, regulatory, compliance, and organizational policy standards.
Support quality improvement and scheduling initiatives to help ensure consistent, compassionate, and efficient care.
Teach caregivers safe care techniques and provide practical training and emotional reassurance.
Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones, including comfort and bereavement guidance.

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, including ASN-to-BSN and BSN-to-MSN support.
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 benefits, including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage.