Registered Nurse, RN

Gentiva Hospice•Branford, CT

5d•$98,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Registered Nurse provides hospice and palliative nursing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and supports their families. The RN serves as a primary contact throughout the hospice journey, delivers and documents skilled nursing care according to individualized plans of care, and performs in-person or telephonic assessments and reassessments. Care may be delivered in patients’ homes or institutional settings. The role includes symptom management, care coordination with an interdisciplinary team, patient and caregiver education, communication of changes in condition, and maintaining accurate clinical records in accordance with regulatory and infection-control standards. The RN also supports continuity of care, quality improvement and scheduling initiatives, and participates in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable.

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, hospice team roles, community resources, general nursing practice, managed care principles, and applicable regulatory guidelines, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ACHC.
Strong patient assessment, oral and written communication, documentation, and program management skills.
Ability to support patients and families through end-of-life issues and crises, communicate effectively across socioeconomic backgrounds, and adapt to changing tasks while maintaining efficiency and composure.
Ability to maintain transportation for work and effectively operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, copier, and cell phone or beeper.

Nice To Haves

Hospice or palliative care experience.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments, including in-person and telephonic RN assessments or screenings.
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 risks.
Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members, including physicians and nurse practitioners.
Educate patients, family members, 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, appropriate referrals, and transitions between levels of care.
Document screening and assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans in a timely manner.
Maintain effective working relationships with the interdisciplinary group and involve the team when care plans warrant participation.
Participate in on-call and patient-support activities as applicable, responding in a clinically competent and timely manner.
Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to patients and loved ones, including bereavement guidance.
Teach caregivers safe and confident caregiving practices and help patients and families understand medication administration, hospice services, symptom and pain management, and end-of-life expectations.
Follow infection-control, compliance, and regulatory standards and support quality improvement and scheduling initiatives.

Benefits

Competitive pay.
401(k) with company match.
Career advancement opportunities.
National and local recognition programs.
Teammate Assistance Fund.
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.
Education support and tuition assistance, including ASN-to-BSN and BSN-to-MSN support.
Free continuing education units.
Company-paid life and long-term disability insurance.
Voluntary benefits, including pet, critical illness, accident, and long-term care coverage.