Key Areas

Key Responsibilities and Duties of the Job

Hospice Clinical Care & Patient Assessment

• Maintains current knowledge of hospice-related local, state, and federal regulations and ensures compliance with all applicable requirements.
• Performs comprehensive initial, ongoing, and specialized nursing assessments to identify patient and family needs and develop appropriate plans of care.
• Provides professional nursing services in accordance with the nursing process, state Nurse Practice Act, hospice standards, and organizational policies.
• Develops, implements, evaluates, and revises individualized plans of care based on patient condition, nursing diagnoses, goals, and palliative care needs.
• Utilizes assessment findings and evidence-based practice to determine appropriate nursing interventions and treatment recommendations.
• Administers medications, treatments, preventative measures, and rehabilitative nursing procedures as prescribed and authorized.
• Monitors patient status and outcomes, proactively identifying changes in condition and adjusting care plans accordingly.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living and promotes comfort, dignity, safety, and the highest possible level of independence.
• Evaluates emergency situations and responds appropriately, including performing Basic Life Support when required and within scope of training.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the care and treatment needs of all hospice patients and consistently applies critical thinking to support quality patient outcomes.

Care Coordination, Case Management & Communication

• Serves as Case Manager when assigned, assuming responsibility for coordinating all aspects of care for an assigned caseload.
• Collaborates with physicians, community partners, caregivers, and members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care.
• Communicates patient status changes, care needs, and recommendations to physicians and obtains orders as necessary.
• Maintains regular communication with the Director/Manager of Hospice Clinical Services regarding patient status, caseload needs, and care concerns.
• Participates actively in interdisciplinary team meetings, contributing clinical expertise and seeking input to support comprehensive care planning.
• Works collaboratively with patients, families, caregivers, and the interdisciplinary team to address physical, emotional, psychosocial, and end-of-life needs.
• Promotes continuity of care through effective communication and coordination among all care providers and support resources.
• Responds to assigned on-call responsibilities and assists with patient needs as required.

Patient, Family & Caregiver Education

• Educates and counsels patients and families regarding disease progression, symptom management, pain control, medications, nutrition, safety, and other healthcare needs.
• Provides instruction and support to patients and caregivers to promote understanding of care plans and encourage appropriate self-care practices.
• Identifies opportunities for health education and counseling and supports informed decision-making by patients and families.
• Ensures patients and families are actively involved in care planning and goal setting to support individualized hospice care.

Documentation, Compliance & Quality Improvement

• Maintains accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation, including assessments, interventions, patient responses, and symptom management outcomes.
• Protects patient privacy by safeguarding Protected Health Information (PHI) and maintaining strict confidentiality regarding all Immanuel patients and organizational information.
• Adheres to all organizational policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, infection prevention standards, emergency preparedness protocols, and safety practices.
• Participates in organizational performance improvement, quality assurance, competency validation, training, and continuing education activities.
• Supports the development and implementation of departmental and organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
• Reports safety concerns, equipment issues, policy violations, and compliance concerns in a timely manner and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary.
• Completes all required training, competency assessments, meetings, and educational programs within established timeframes.

Leadership, Professionalism & Operational Support

• Provides appropriate delegation, guidance, and supervision to non-licensed nursing staff in accordance with regulatory requirements and organizational standards.
• Serves as a mentor and resource to aides and other staff by providing coaching, education, constructive feedback, and performance support.
• Fosters positive working relationships with patients, families, Hospice RNs, volunteers, leadership, and community partners.
• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making in all interactions and business relationships.
• Maintains safe work practices, including proper body mechanics and the safe handling and transport of equipment during patient visits.
• Travels between patient locations and adapts to varying environmental, road, and weather conditions.
• Assists with departmental initiatives, special projects, peak workload demands, and other duties as assigned to support patient care and organizational objectives.
• Performs responsibilities within assigned work environments and contributes to the overall mission and success of Immanuel by providing exceptional service to patients, families, coworkers, and the community.