Hospice, RN Nurse Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

Hospice Nurse Supervisor – Job Description

Position Summary

The Hospice Nurse Supervisor is responsible for directing and overseeing the day-to-day clinical operations of the hospice interdisciplinary team (IDT). This role ensures that patient care is delivered safely, compassionately, and in full compliance with Medicare conditions of participation, state licensing laws, and agency standards. The supervisor provides clinical support, mentorship, and administrative oversight to field nurses and clinical staff.

Core Responsibilities

1. Clinical & Team Leadership

• Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the day-to-day activities of Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Hospice Aides.
• Lead weekly Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) meetings to review plans of care, discuss complex patient cases, and ensure proper symptom/pain management strategies.
• Conduct joint home or facility visits with nursing staff for field supervision, training, and quality assurance.
• Serve as an expert clinical resource for pain and symptom control, palliative management, and end-of-life care decisions.
• Participate in on-call rotation management and provide clinical triage support during nights or weekends as needed.

2. Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure patient care plans strictly align with Medicare/Medicaid Hospice Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and state regulations.
• Conduct regular chart audits and review clinical documentation to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and medical necessity.
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) programs and assist in preparing for state, federal, or accrediting body audits (e.g., Joint Commission, CHAP).
• Monitor utilization of services, medication management, and medical equipment to ensure cost-effective care without compromising clinical quality.

3. Operations & Staff Management

• Manage clinical staffing schedules, case assignments, and patient admissions to ensure appropriate coverage and balanced workloads.
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding new clinical staff.
• Performance management: Conduct regular performance reviews, offer constructive feedback, and address performance concerns or policy violations.
• Facilitate ongoing staff development and clinical education regarding hospice best practices, disease progression, and family communication.

4. Patient & Family Care Coordination

• Act as a primary point of escalation for complex patient, family, or caregiver concerns and complaints.
• Collaborate with attending physicians, medical directors, discharge planners, and community partners to maintain continuity of care.
• Support families through difficult transitions, goal-of-care conversations, and grief/bereavement needs in coordination with social work and chaplain services.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Licensure

• Education: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Licensure: Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice.
• Certifications:
• • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification required.

Experience

• Clinical: Minimum of 2–3 years of clinical nursing experience in Hospice, Palliative Care, Home Health, or Oncology.
• Supervisory: 1+ years of charge nurse, team lead, or supervisory experience in a home health or hospice setting preferred.

Essential Skills & Competencies

• Deep understanding of Medicare hospice benefits, CoPs, and hospice eligibility guidelines.
• Strong clinical expertise in symptom control, pain management, and palliative care protocols.
• High emotional intelligence, empathy, and crisis-intervention skills for handling end-of-life dynamics.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Proficiency with electronic medical record (EMR) systems (e.g., Homecare Homebase, MatrixCare, Kantime).

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Environment: Combination of office environment, remote work (where applicable), and field visits (patient homes, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities).
• Travel: Local travel required within assigned geographic territory; valid driver's license and reliable transport required.
• Physical Effort: Ability to sit, stand, walk, lift/transfer patients (up to 50 lbs), and drive for extended periods.

Healthcare Recruiting Specialists is one of the leading healthcare recruiting organizations in the Chicago area. We specialize in recruiting healthcare professionals for permanent job placement, for both part-time and full-time job opportunities. Our primary focus is providing the highest quality candidates to all our healthcare clients. Chicago HRS Inc. is reliable, provides excellent customer service and credentialed candidates for healthcare positions. We take pride in saying that we have opportunities for all types of positions for new graduates and experienced individuals. Our office is located on the north side of Chicago. Unlike most recruiters, we have a vast knowledge of the geographic and demographics of both the city and suburbs. Most of our placements are completed within a 24-48 hour time period.

Company Description

Healthcare Recruiting Specialists is one of the leading healthcare recruiting organizations in the Chicago area. We specialize in recruiting healthcare professionals for permanent job placement, for both part-time and full-time job opportunities. Our primary focus is providing the highest quality candidates to all our healthcare clients. Chicago HRS Inc. is reliable, provides excellent customer service and credentialed candidates for healthcare positions. We take pride in saying that we have opportunities for all types of positions for new graduates and experienced individuals. Our office is located on the north side of Chicago. Unlike most recruiters, we have a vast knowledge of the geographic and demographics of both the city and suburbs. Most of our placements are completed within a 24-48 hour time period.