Hospice Registered Nurse

Hospice Nursing PositionLead with heart. Be the difference. Transform end-of-life care.Join our company, where every day is an opportunity to deliver personalized, meaningful hospice and palliative care to patients facing life-limiting illness. We support patients and their families with dignity, comfort, and love.What you'll do as a hospice RN / RN case manager:Be the primary point of contact for patients and families, guiding them through every step of their hospice journey.Deliver and document skilled, hands-on nursing care based on each patient's individualized plan of care—in their home, assisted living, or wherever they call home.Perform initial and ongoing assessments to monitor patient condition and adjust care as needed.Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team—including physicians, LPNs, CNAs, social workers, chaplains, and others—to build and refine personalized care plans.Provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support not just to the patient, but to their loved ones as well—offering education, comfort, and bereavement guidance.Teach caregivers how to care for their loved one safely and confidently, offering both practical training and emotional reassurance.Communicate important updates in patient condition to the care team, ensuring timely and appropriate interventions.Maintain accurate, up-to-date clinical documentation and follow infection control and compliance standards.Support the organization's quality improvement and scheduling initiatives to ensure care is consistent, compassionate, and efficient.Help patients and families understand and navigate topics such as: medication administration, hospice philosophy and services, symptom and pain management, end-of-life processes and expectations.Job responsibilities:Perform comprehensive patient assessments and reassessments including in-person/telephonic RN assessments/screenings and provide education to patients, family members and caregivers as appropriate.Deliver skilled nursing interventions and symptom management aligned with goals of care.Develop and update individualized plans of care including patient visit frequency to meet individual needs and risk identification.Coordinate care across interdisciplinary teams including consultation with physicians and nurse partitioners.Provide patient and caregiver education regarding disease process, self-care techniques, end-of-life care, medications, nutrition and dietary needs.Communicate change in condition, or signs and symptoms of decline to appropriate provider (e.g., NP, PCP, Hospice Physician).Support the continuity of care by recognizing and supporting home health, palliative and hospice referrals as appropriate and recognizing and supporting transitions in levels of care.Document timely clinical records on all patients including screening/assessment findings, physician orders, progress notes, and care plans.Maintain effective working relationships with IDG, and involve team when patient's care plan warrants team participation to achieve desired outcome.Participate in on-call and patient support activities as applicable, conducting on-call services in a clinically competent and responsive manner.Core competencies:Clinical excellence and sound judgmentPatient-centered communication and empathyInterdisciplinary collaborationAccountability and regulatory complianceAdaptability and critical thinkingTimeliness of patient visits and documentationAccuracy and completeness of clinical recordsPatient and caregiver satisfactionCompliance with regulatory and policy standardsParticipation in team collaboration and IDG activitiesAbout you:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.Education:Registered NurseExperience:A minimum of one (1) year experience as an RN, either in acute care hospital, oncology, long-term care, hospice or home health. School internships and clinical hours may be considered as experience in individual cases.Hospice or palliative care experience preferredLicenses, certifications and/or registration:Current license to practice nursing in the state of requested employmentCPR CertificationCurrent automobile insurance and valid driver's licenseSpecialized knowledge and skills:Knowledge of terminally ill patients and their families along with understanding of hospice; ability to apply knowledge of the special needs of hospice patient and families; knowledge of roles of all disciplines providing hospice services; excellent patient assessment skills; knowledge of community resources; good oral and written communication skills; documentation and program management; knowledge of general nursing practice; thorough knowledge of managed care principles, regulatory guidelines (i.e., Medicare, Medicaid, ACHC, and human resource management principles).Working conditions:Patient's homes and/or institutional setting and automobile. Potential exposure to infections, communicable diseases, odors, blood, excreta and hazardous materials.Personal traits, qualities and aptitudes:Sensitivity to the impact of life and death issues faced by individuals with terminal illness; tact in dealing with these patients and their families; ability to support others at a time of crisis. Must be able to demonstrate flexibility by performing a variety of tasks, often changing from one to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure. Communicate effectively with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Responsible functioning in the work place, maturity, cooperation, flexibility, tact in dealing with co-workers and all members of the hospice team.Equipment/tools/work-aids:Must be able to effectively operate nursing assessment tools, computers, facsimile equipment, copier and cell phone/beeper. Must have and maintain transportation to be used for work.We offer:Benefits for all associates (full-time, part-time & per diem):Competitive pay401(k) with company matchCareer advancement opportunitiesNational & local recognition programsTeammate assistance fundAdditional full-time benefits:Medical, dental, vision insuranceMileage reimbursement or fleet vehicle programGenerous paid time off + 7 paid holidaysWellness programs (telemedicine, diabetes management, joint & spine concierge care)Education support & tuition assistance (ASN to BSN, BSN to MSN)Free continuing education units (CEUs)Company-paid life & long-term disability insuranceVoluntary benefits (pet, critical illness, accident, LTC)Ready to join a team that cares?Apply now to become part of our hospice nursing team and help make every moment count for our patients and their loved ones.Legalese:This is a safety-sensitive positionEmployee must meet minimum requirements to be eligible for benefitsWhere applicable, employee must meet state specific requirementsWe are proud to be an EEO employerWe maintain a drug-free workplaceLocation:SouthernCareOur company:At SouthernCare, part of Gentiva, it is our privilege to offer compassionate care in the comfort of wherever our patients call home. We are a national leader in hospice care, palliative care, home health care, and advanced illness management, with nearly 600 locations and thousands of dedicated clinicians across 38 states.Our place is by the side of those who need us – from helping people recover from illness, injury, or surgery in the comfort of their homes to guiding patients and their families through the physical, emotional, and spiritual effects of a serious illness or terminal diagnosis.Our nationwide reach is powered by a family of trusted brands that include: