Registered Nurse

Gentiva Hospice • Colorado Springs, CO

11d • $38 - $41

About The Position

Gentiva Hospice is hiring 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 point of contact and provides skilled nursing care in patients’ homes, assisted living settings, or other institutional settings. Care includes assessment, symptom management, individualized planning, patient and caregiver education, coordination with interdisciplinary teams, and timely clinical documentation. The nurse also participates in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable and supports continuity of care and transitions between care levels.

The role requires sensitivity and sound judgment when supporting patients and families facing end-of-life issues. The nurse must adapt to changing tasks, communicate effectively with people from varied socioeconomic backgrounds, and work cooperatively with patients, families, and hospice colleagues. This is a safety-sensitive position involving work in patient homes or institutional settings and use of an automobile. Potential exposures include infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta, and hazardous materials.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse.
• 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 skills.
• Documentation and program management knowledge.
• Knowledge of general nursing practice and managed care principles.
• Knowledge of regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC, and human resource management principles.
• Ability to operate nursing assessment tools, computers, fax equipment, a copier, and a cell phone or beeper.
• Must have and maintain transportation for work.
• Sensitivity to end-of-life issues; tact and ability to support patients and families during crises.
• Flexibility to change tasks without loss of efficiency or composure, and ability to communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Responsible, mature, cooperative, and flexible approach in the workplace, with tact in dealing with coworkers and hospice team members.

Nice To Haves

• Hospice or palliative care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person or telephonic assessments and screenings, and provide education as appropriate.
• Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management aligned with patients’ 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, including physicians and nurse practitioners.
• Educate patients 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 the appropriate provider.
• Support continuity of care by recognizing and supporting appropriate home health, palliative, and hospice referrals and transitions in levels of care.
• Document clinical records promptly, including assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when the patient’s care plan warrants it.
• Participate in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable, providing clinically competent and responsive on-call services.
• Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including education, comfort, and bereavement guidance.
• Teach caregivers safe and confident care techniques and provide practical training and emotional reassurance.
• 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

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Wellness program and resources
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off (PTO)
• FMLA, ADA, and other federally and state-required leaves
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution
• Mileage reimbursement or fleet car/vehicle program
• Tuition reimbursement and education support
• Phone allowance
• Career advancement opportunities
• National and local recognition programs
• Teammate Assistance Fund
• Seven paid holidays
• Telemedicine, diabetes management, and Joint & Spine Concierge Care wellness programs
• Free continuing education units (CEUs)
• Company-paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed