Registered Nurse Hospice PRN

Gentiva•Panora, IA

26d

About The Position

The Registered Nurse Hospice provides skilled hospice nursing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses in their homes, assisted living communities, and other institutional settings. The nurse serves as a primary point of contact for patients and families, conducts assessments, delivers symptom management, develops and updates individualized plans of care, and supports patients and loved ones through end-of-life care. The role includes coordination with an interdisciplinary team, patient and caregiver education, timely clinical documentation, and participation in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable. The position requires sensitivity to end-of-life concerns, sound clinical judgment, adaptability, and effective communication with patients, families, caregivers, and colleagues. Work takes place in patients’ homes or institutional settings and in an automobile, with potential exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials. The employee must maintain transportation for work and be able to use nursing assessment tools, computers, fax machines, copiers, and a cell phone or beeper.

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.
Current CPR certification.
Current automobile insurance and a valid driver’s license.
Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families and an 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.
Thorough knowledge of managed-care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
Sensitivity to the impact of life-and-death issues and tact in supporting patients and families during a crisis.
Ability to perform a variety of tasks and adapt without loss of efficiency or composure.
Ability to communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and cooperate tactfully with coworkers and hospice team members.
Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, fax equipment, copiers, and a cell phone or beeper.
Must have and maintain transportation for work.
Must meet applicable state-specific requirements and minimum requirements for benefit eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Hospice or palliative care experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephone RN assessments or screenings.
Deliver and document skilled nursing interventions and symptom management aligned with each patient’s goals of care and individualized plan.
Develop and update individualized plans of care, including visit frequency and identification of patient risks.
Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members, including physicians and nurse practitioners, and involve the team when appropriate.
Educate patients, family members, and caregivers on disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care, medications, nutrition, and dietary needs.
Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including comfort, education, and bereavement guidance.
Teach caregivers to provide safe care and offer practical training and emotional reassurance.
Communicate changes in patient 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.
Maintain timely, accurate clinical records, including assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans.
Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and participate in team collaboration and activities.
Participate in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive on-call service.
Follow infection-control, regulatory, compliance, and organizational policy standards.
Support quality-improvement and scheduling initiatives.
Help patients and families understand medication administration, hospice philosophy and services, symptom and pain management, and end-of-life processes and expectations.

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.