Registered Nurse Hospice PRN

Gentiva Hospice • Carroll, IA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Gentiva Hospice is seeking a Registered Nurse to provide personalized hospice and palliative care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and support their families. The nurse serves as a primary contact throughout the hospice journey and delivers skilled nursing care in patients’ homes, assisted living facilities, or other institutional settings. Care is based on individualized plans of care and emphasizes comfort, dignity, symptom management, and support for patients and loved ones.

The role includes comprehensive assessments, care planning, education, coordination with interdisciplinary teams, timely clinical documentation, and participation in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable. The nurse helps patients and caregivers understand medication administration, hospice services and philosophy, symptom and pain management, nutrition, and end-of-life processes. The position involves travel to patient locations and potential exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials.

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, 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; good oral and written communication; documentation and program-management skills; and knowledge of general nursing practice.
• Knowledge of managed-care principles and regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
• Sensitivity to end-of-life issues and ability to support patients and families during crises.
• Ability to adapt to changing tasks while maintaining efficiency and composure, communicate effectively with people of varied socioeconomic backgrounds, and work cooperatively and tactfully with colleagues and the hospice team.
• Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, fax machines, copiers, and a cell phone or beeper.
• Must have and maintain transportation for work.
• Must meet applicable minimum and state-specific requirements for benefits and employment.

Nice To Haves

• Hospice or palliative care experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephonic assessments or screenings, and provide education as appropriate.
• 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 needs and risks.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members and consult with physicians and nurse practitioners.
• Educate patients, families, and caregivers about disease processes, self-care, end-of-life care, medications, nutrition, and dietary needs.
• Communicate changes in condition and signs or symptoms of decline to appropriate providers.
• Support continuity of care, including appropriate referrals and transitions among home health, palliative care, hospice, and 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 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.
• Teach caregivers safe care techniques and provide practical guidance and emotional reassurance.
• Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including education, comfort, and bereavement guidance.
• Follow infection-control, regulatory, compliance, and organizational 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.
• Full-time benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Mileage reimbursement or fleet vehicle program.
• 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, including 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 benefits, including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed