Registered Nurse (RN), Hospice - Full Time

Virtua Health•Lippincott - 301 Lippincott Drive, CO

5d•$46 - $64•Onsite

About The Position

Virtua Health is seeking a Hospice Registered Nurse Case Manager to provide compassionate, personalized care to terminally ill patients in their homes throughout the Virtua Hospice service area of New Jersey. The RN assesses, plans, and implements care intended to maintain comfort and quality of life, while supporting patients and families physically, emotionally, and spiritually through the end-of-life process. The position works with the intake team, referring physicians, referral sources, and an interdisciplinary team to coordinate care and promote the hospice philosophy. The role requires statewide travel and 8-hour shifts; on-call, weekend, and holiday coverage may be required. The RN monitors patients’ condition and vital signs, manages symptoms and pain, administers medications and treatments, provides wound and comfort care, and educates families about symptom management, disease progression, prognosis, and the dying process. The RN develops and follows individualized care plans, coordinates referrals and equipment or supplies, communicates significant changes to physicians and team members, and completes timely clinical documentation. Other responsibilities include participating in interdisciplinary and QAPI activities, maintaining supplies and a safe work environment, and following organizational policies, including HIPAA and confidentiality requirements.

Requirements

Minimum of 2–3 years of hospice nursing experience.
Excellent assessment skills and clinical judgment.
Knowledge of the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and their caregivers.
Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Current New Jersey nursing license to practice as a registered nurse.
Current CPR certification and BLS.
Current proof of a valid driver’s license and auto insurance.

Nice To Haves

Home care setting experience preferred.
BSN preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform and document the nursing process—assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation—for patients receiving in-person care in their homes.
Review and follow up on family education, patient care plans, and coordinated services; triage changes in patient condition and take appropriate action.
Provide nursing care, emotional support, and education to patients and families.
Assist with wound care, treatments, procedures, and comfort care.
Administer medications and treatments according to the patient’s plan of care to promote comfort or relieve symptoms.
Observe, record, and report disease signs and symptoms, changes in physical, emotional, spiritual, or social condition, and responses to treatment.
Communicate significant findings, problems, and changes in patient condition or environment to physicians and other health care team members.
Teach patients and families about symptom reporting and the dying process, and provide crisis intervention when needed.
Assess pain at each visit using the required pain scales and protocols, establish an acceptable pain level with the patient, and implement appropriate interventions.
Pronounce death and document appropriately; provide care of the body and family support, dispose of medications, and relay information to a previously identified funeral home, EMT, or police when needed.
Consult physicians for appropriate orders.
Support the physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being of patients and families.
Participate actively as a member of the interdisciplinary team and collaborate with team members to coordinate care.
Refer patients to other disciplines and medical equipment or supply companies to meet comfort and symptom-relief needs in a timely manner.
Coordinate care with internal and external disciplines and community resources in a fiscally responsible manner.
Perform assigned on-call responsibilities and participate in weekend and holiday coverage as necessary.
Maintain knowledge and skills in hospice care, including applicable regulatory and reimbursement guidelines, and apply them in clinical practice.
Follow organizational policies and procedures, including HIPAA and patient confidentiality requirements.
Submit complete, legible documentation within agency timelines that clearly reflects the care provided.
Maintain nursing supplies, anticipate and restock needed supplies, and maintain a safe and clean work environment.
Participate in QAPI activities and interdisciplinary team meetings.
Complete other assigned duties and projects, demonstrate flexibility, and follow organizational competencies and standards of behavior.