IPU Team Leader

Job Description

Job Description

Founded in 1982 as Joliet Area Community Hospice, Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is an independent, nonprofit healthcare provider licensed in 11 counties in northwest Illinois. We provide exceptional serious illness care, hospice care and grief support for adults and children.

The majority of our direct patient care is in the field with Lightways team members providing care in the home, nursing facility or assisted living facility. We also have a 24-bed inpatient unit in Joliet. Non-clinical staff are based out of our Joliet administrative offices.

 

IPU Team Leader

The Inpatient Unit (IPU) Team Leader provides operational and clinical leadership in partnership with the Director of the Inpatient Unit. Serving as a crucial bridge between clinical care and unit operations, the Team Leader supports our interdisciplinary team—registered nurses, social workers, CNAs, chaplains, and support staff—in delivering exceptional, compassionate end-of-life care. Full-time (5 days/week, 8-hour shifts) with flexible scheduling to ensure periodic leadership visibility and support across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.

This role balances direct team oversight, clinical quality, staff mentorship, and operational efficiency to ensure a safe, supportive environment for both patients and staff.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Staff Development:

• Serve as direct supervisor for CNAs and Unit Clerks—overseeing scheduling, onboarding, performance feedback, professional development, and daily workflow.
• Guide new hires through hospice orientation, fostering an engaging onboarding experience with regular check-ins (e.g., 30-day reviews) to support long-term success.
• Partner with HR and Unit Leadership to manage employee relations proactively, ensuring fair and consistent coaching, accountability, and recognition.

Clinical Quality & Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

• Monitor clinical care standards through regular chart reviews, patient rounding, and active participation in Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) meetings.
• Partner with the Director and medical staff on weekly IDT meetings in MatrixCare, leading medication reconciliation and optimizing plan-of-care accuracy.
• Provide hands-on patient care support during peak census or emergency situations to maintain safe staffing ratios and support the team.

Operational Excellence & Unit Growth:

• Partner with the IPU Director to optimize unit utilization and bed management by reviewing referrals, level-of-care documentation, and admission workflows.
• Help manage unit resources by reviewing census, acuity, and staffing metrics to balance quality care with budgeted goals (minimizing overtime and agency reliance).
• Champion the growth of high-acuity care programs by identifying needed workflows, equipment, clinical competencies, and escalation pathways.

Education/Experience:

• Registered nurse with current licensure to practice professional nursing in the State.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Hospice experience preferred.
• Previous management skills preferred.
• Minimum of two years’ experience, at least one of which is in the area of public health, home care, or hospice nursing is preferred.

 

 

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance 
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Personal Time Off
• Holiday Paid