Job Summary:
Coordinates and delivers comprehensive end-of-life care to terminally ill patients in accordance with hospice philosophy and regulatory guidelines. Manages a caseload of patients, conducting thorough assessments, developing individualized care plans, and providing skilled nursing interventions to address physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs. Serves as the primary point of contact for patients, families, and the interdisciplinary hospice team, ensuring seamless communication and continuity of care. Handles symptom management, medication administration, patient and family education, coordination with physicians and support staff, and ongoing evaluation of care effectiveness.
Job Requirements:
Education and Work Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN): Preferred
- Five years' hospice nursing experience: Preferred
Licenses/Certifications:
- Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state of practice: Required
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Required
- Valid Driver's License (DL) and must be at least 21 years of age or older: Required
- Current automobile insurance and a reliable automobile: Required
Essential Functions:
- Conducts initial and ongoing assessments of patients' physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs and develop and update individualized plans of care in coordination with physicians and the interdisciplinary team.
- Delivers skilled nursing care including medication management, pain and symptom control, and wound care and educate patients and families on disease process, symptom expectations, medications, and hospice philosophy. Provides emotional support and crisis intervention to patients and families as needed.
- Serves as the primary case manager for an assigned caseload (typically 12-18 patients), ensuring continuity of care. Communicates regularly with physicians, social workers, chaplains, hospice aides, and other team members. Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings to review and revise care plans.
- Ensures timely and accurate documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) in compliance with regulatory requirements. Ensures compliance with all Medicare, Medicaid, and state/federal hospice regulations.
- Participates in the on-call rotation and respond promptly to after-hours patient needs.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
