Hospice On-Call RN

POSITION SUMMARY

The On-Call Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing after-hours and weekend clinical support to hospice patients and their families in the Denver metro area. Working on a 7-days-on / 7-days-off rotation, this position serves as the primary point of clinical contact during non-business hours, responding to urgent patient needs, providing symptom management guidance, and coordinating with the interdisciplinary team as needed.

This role requires a compassionate, clinically skilled RN who is comfortable working independently and making sound clinical judgments in a home or facility-based hospice setting.

COMPENSATION STRUCTURE

On-Call Availability Pay (flat rate per on-call shift):

• Weekday On-Call (Monday-Friday): $100.00 per day
• Weekend On-Call (Saturday-Sunday): $150.00 per day
• Hourly rate of $48 during active patient visits

Patient Visit Pay:

• All patient visits made during the on-call period are compensated at the applicable hourly rate, in addition to the flat on-call availability pay.

SCHEDULE & ROTATION

• Rotation: 7 consecutive days on-call, followed by 7 consecutive days off
• On-call hours cover evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as assigned during the active rotation week
• Must be available by phone within 30 minutes and able to respond in person within a clinically appropriate timeframe
• Coordination with the outgoing on-call nurse at shift transitions is expected

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Respond to after-hours patient and family calls; triage symptoms and provide clinical guidance, reassurance, and education
• Conduct urgent in-home or facility-based patient visits as clinically indicated
• Assess changes in patient condition and implement or adjust the plan of care within hospice guidelines
• Administer or supervise medications and treatments in accordance with physician orders
• Provide comfort-focused symptom management including pain, dyspnea, anxiety, and other end-of-life symptoms
• Coordinate with the on-call physician for new or updated orders as needed
• Communicate significant changes in patient status to the attending physician, Director of Nursing, and/or appropriate team members
• Provide emotional support and education to patients and families during the on-call period
• Complete accurate, timely clinical documentation in the EMR in accordance with CMS and organizational standards
• Coordinate admissions and pronouncements of death as needed during the on-call period
• Ensure continuity of care by providing detailed hand-off communication at the end of each rotation
• Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and hospice-specific regulations

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education & Licensure:

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of Colorado, in good standing
• Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred

Experience:

• Minimum 1 year of RN experience required; hospice, palliative care, home health, or ICU/med-surg experience strongly preferred
• Prior on-call or independent practice experience preferred

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong clinical assessment skills and ability to make independent nursing judgments
• Proficiency in symptom management, pain control, and end-of-life care
• Excellent communication skills with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members
• Ability to navigate sensitive, emotionally charged situations with compassion and professionalism
• Comfortable working independently in a variety of home and facility environments
• Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR); Hospice Tools experience a plus

Other Requirements:

• Valid Colorado driver's license and reliable personal transportation
• Auto insurance meeting company minimum requirements
• Ability to pass a background check and drug screening
• CPR/BLS certification required

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is performed in patient homes, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and other community settings
• Exposure to patients with serious illness; personal protective equipment (PPE) provided and required as appropriate
• Must be able to lift and reposition patients as needed (up to 50 lbs with assistance)
• Requires prolonged standing, walking, bending, and occasional lifting
• Must be able to drive safely in varying weather and road conditions

OUR MISSION

At Ovation Hospice of Denver, we are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care to patients and families in our community. Every member of our team plays a vital role in honoring the dignity and comfort of those we serve.