Per Diem Hospice RN Case Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Optimal Care is where your dedication meets a rewarding career.

As a clinician owned and operated company, we create the opportunity and environment for each employee to realize their highest potential while maintaining a personalized focus on our Patients and Families every day. We are the Midwest's premier provider of Physician Services, Home Health, and Hospice Care. Our integrated care delivery model incorporates technology, innovation and best practices. We produce value based outcomes by managing chronic disease process, rehabilitation and end of life care.

We live a simple Mission: Serve Together, Provide Value, and Deliver Exceptional Quality Care.

What does this mean for you? At Optimal Care, you have our resolute commitment to being an exceptional place to work. Your expertise, passion and commitment to exceptional quality care will continue to thrive. With you we can build a remarkable place to work.

Exceptional Benefits:

• Minimum of 3 Weeks Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company Vehicle Program for field roles
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• HSA and FSA options including Dependent Care
• Company paid Short Term Disability
• Company paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Pet Insurance
• ID and Fraud Protection
• And more...

About the Role

Bring your nursing expertise to one of healthcare's most meaningful specialties. As a Hospice RN Case Manager, you'll provide skilled nursing care and compassionate support to patients and families during life's final chapter, helping ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life. This role is perfect for a registered nurse who wants to practice the full scope of nursing while building deep, meaningful relationships with patients and families. You'll have the autonomy to coordinate comprehensive care for your caseload while working collaboratively with our interdisciplinary team to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those in your care.

What You'll Do

Provide Expert Hospice Nursing Care

• Conduct initial evaluations and ongoing assessments of patients' nursing needs
• Deliver skilled nursing services requiring specialized expertise
• Demonstrate proficiency in medication administration across all routes (IM, SQ, SL, TD, PO, enteral tube, IV)
• Manage complex symptoms and provide comfort-focused interventions
• Safely and effectively use durable medical equipment and medical devices

Coordinate Comprehensive Care

• Assume primary responsibility for your caseload, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation
• Develop and maintain individualized plans of care in collaboration with physicians and the interdisciplinary team
• Coordinate services required for hospital discharges to home or facility settings
• Supervise and document home health aide and LPN care delivery
• Facilitate smooth transitions and ensure continuity of care across all settings

Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Team

• Participate actively in IDG meetings, offering clinical insights and recommendations
• Attend and contribute to nursing facility care conferences
• Communicate regularly with physicians, facilities, team members, and the Hospice Medical Director
• Coordinate with social workers, chaplains, aides, and other team members to address holistic patient needs

Support Patients and Families

• Build rapport and communicate effectively with patients, families, and caregivers
• Assess home safety, environment appropriateness, and support system capacity
• Provide education about symptom management, medications, and end-of-life care
• Offer appropriate support at time of death and conduct bereavement assessments when requested
• Respond with sensitivity to family emotional stress and respect diverse lifestyles

Maintain Excellence in Documentation and Compliance

• Complete all documentation within 24 hours of visits
• Document medication regimens and update profiles according to procedures
• Ensure clinical notes reflect ongoing communication and care coordination
• Maintain compliance with Conditions of Participation and third-party payor requirements
• Identify and report potential payment or coverage issues promptly

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Diploma, Associate, or Baccalaureate School of Nursing
• Current State License as a Registered Nurse
• Minimum 1 year of nursing experience in a clinical care setting
• Reliable transportation with valid automobile insurance
• Willingness to travel extensively within service area daily

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Experience in hospice or home health environment

Essential Skills and Competencies

• Advanced nursing assessment and clinical judgment skills
• Proficiency in phlebotomy with proper implementation of universal precautions
• Ability to assess patients in varied home and facility environments
• Strong time management skills with ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines
• Excellent communication and rapport-building abilities
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse lifestyles and belief systems
• Ability to cope with family emotional stress and end-of-life situations
• Self-directed with strong organizational skills
• Knowledge of hospice philosophy and palliative care principles

What Makes You Successful

You're a skilled nurse who sees hospice care as a calling, not just a job. You understand that end-of-life care is about more than managing symptoms—it's about honoring each patient's wishes, supporting families through grief, and ensuring dignity during life's most vulnerable moments. You're comfortable with the autonomy of managing your own caseload while knowing when to collaborate with your interdisciplinary team. You can handle the emotional intensity of hospice work while maintaining professional boundaries and your own emotional wellbeing. You're adaptable and resilient, able to work effectively in diverse home and facility environments. You bring calm, compassion, and clinical expertise to every patient interaction, recognizing that your presence can provide immeasurable comfort to patients and families during their most difficult times.

Why Join Us?

Hospice nursing offers unparalleled professional fulfillment. You'll have time to truly know your patients and families, practicing nursing the way you always envisioned - with autonomy, comprehensive care coordination, and meaningful relationships. We provide comprehensive orientation, ongoing clinical support, and opportunities for professional development in palliative care. You'll work with a collaborative interdisciplinary team that values your expertise and supports you in providing the highest quality end-of-life care.

Work Environment and Schedule

This position requires extensive daily travel to patient homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes within your service area. You'll work independently in varied environments and must be comfortable adapting to different settings and situations. The role has a high degree of schedule variability due to patient needs, admissions, and end-of-life situations. Flexibility and availability (including potential on-call duties) are essential. Physical demands include standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 lbs with assistance.

Ready to Make a Profound Impact?

If you're a registered nurse ready to provide compassionate, expert care during life's most meaningful moments, we'd love to hear from you.

Location

• Office Location: Kalamazoo, MI
• Main Service Area:  Kalamazoo and surrounding areas

Hours

• This is a per diem opportunity
• Must be available to help support during some daytime hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
• 1 Weekend/On-Call Rotation per Month

Pay Range

$38.46—$40.87 USD

Background Screening

Optimal Care conducts a background screening upon acceptance of a contingent job offer. Background screening is completed by a third-party administrator, the Michigan Long-Term Care Partnership, and is performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act.

Reasonable Accommodations

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Optimal Care is an equal-opportunity employer.