Hospice RN- Weekend Program (Milwaukee and surrounding areas)

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation•Milwaukee, WI

About The Position

The Hospice RN provides after-hours hospice nursing care to patients in Milwaukee South and surrounding areas. The role is scheduled from 0800 to 2000 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with holiday work limited to holidays that fall on weekends. The nurse provides comprehensive assessment, triage, and intervention; responds to patient and caregiver calls; and makes in-person visits when clinically indicated to address acute symptom changes, crisis needs, comfort, and safety. The position manages complex end-of-life symptoms, carries out physician orders and standing hospice protocols within the scope of practice, and offers emotional support, anticipatory guidance, and education to patients and caregivers. The RN collaborates with physicians, advanced practice providers, and interdisciplinary colleagues, and documents care and handoffs accurately and promptly in the electronic medical record. The role follows hospice policies, regulatory requirements, and professional nursing standards, and participates in required education, quality improvement, and safety initiatives. Work includes travel to patient homes and community care settings and may involve a variety of environments and physical activities.

Requirements

Completion of an accredited or approved nursing program.
Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice.
Valid driver’s license.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
Typically one year of nursing experience in any clinical setting.
Demonstrated understanding of hospice philosophy and end-of-life care principles.
Ability to manage urgent and complex clinical situations independently.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including calm and compassionate guidance during crisis situations.
Strong organizational and time-management skills in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with electronic medical records, computers, and telephone systems.
Ability to travel to patient homes and community care settings as required and work in a variety of home and community environments.
Capacity to promptly address patient needs in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to walk, stand, sit, lift, reach, stoop, bend, push, and pull.
Ability to lift and support up to 35 pounds when handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies.

Nice To Haves

One year of Hospice RN experience.
Experience in hospice, palliative care, oncology, ICU, emergency department, or home health.
Experience providing autonomous nursing care in home or community-based settings.
Strong assessment, critical thinking, and independent clinical decision-making skills.
Advanced communication skills for patient and caregiver education and support.

Responsibilities

Incorporate responsibility, accountability, critical thinking, and sound clinical decision-making into daily nursing practice.
Provide comprehensive nursing assessment, triage, and intervention for hospice patients during after-hours shifts.
Respond to patient and caregiver calls to assess symptoms, provide education, and determine appropriate interventions consistent with hospice goals of care.
Conduct in-person visits as clinically indicated to manage acute symptom changes, provide crisis support, and ensure patient comfort and safety.
Manage complex end-of-life symptoms, including pain, dyspnea, agitation, anxiety, nausea, and terminal secretions.
Initiate and carry out physician orders and standing hospice protocols within scope of practice.
Provide emotional support, anticipatory guidance, and education to patients and caregivers, including support for decisions to question, refuse, or terminate treatment.
Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, and interdisciplinary team members to communicate changes in patient condition and coordinate care.
Document patient encounters, assessments, interventions, and communications accurately and promptly in the electronic medical record, including clear handoff communication.
Adhere to hospice policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and professional nursing standards.
Participate in required education, quality improvement, and safety initiatives.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned by leadership.

Benefits

Paid Time Off programs.
Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
Educational Assistance Program.
Potential premium pay, including shift and on-call pay, based on a teammate's job.
Incentive pay for select positions.
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.
Career development programs.