The Hospice Registered Nurse (Start of Care) is responsible for completing thorough and compassionate start-of-care assessments, initiating individualized plans of care, and ensuring a seamless transition into hospice services for patients and their families. This role requires strong clinical judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with the interdisciplinary team (IDT). This is a Monday-Friday position with a weekly productivity expectation of 30 points , which includes start-of-care admissions, tuck-in visits, routine nursing visits, and any additional clinical responsibilities required to meet full-time productivity. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Start of Care (SOC)

Responsibilities:

Perform comprehensive start-of-care assessments for newly admitted hospice patients. Establish an individualized plan of care in collaboration with the patient, family, and IDT. Complete admission paperwork, consents, medication reconciliation, and documentation within required timelines. Provide immediate patient and caregiver education, including hospice philosophy, symptom management, medication administration, and safety. Initiate comfort-focused nursing interventions based on the patient's clinical needs. Coordinate equipment and supply delivery to ensure patient comfort and safety from day one. Communicate effectively with attending physicians to obtain and verify hospice orders.

Clinical Nursing Care:

Provide intermittent nursing visits, including routine, PRN, and tuck-in visits as needed to support weekly productivity and patient needs. Assess and monitor patient symptoms, response to treatment, and overall condition. Implement and adjust nursing interventions in collaboration with the IDT. Educate patients and caregivers on disease progression, medication usage, pain control, and safety practices. Provide emotional support, guidance, and end-of-life education to families.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Communication:

Communicate changes in patient status to the IDT, physician, and hospice leadership promptly. Participate in IDT meetings, contributing to care planning and case discussion. Coordinate with social workers, chaplains, aides, and other team members to ensure holistic care. Collaborate with referral sources, facilities, hospitals, and providers to facilitate seamless admissions and transitions.

Documentation & Compliance:

Maintain accurate, complete, and timely clinical documentation in the EMR. Ensure compliance with all hospice regulatory requirements, agency policies, and quality standards. Document all assessments, interventions, communications, and patient/caregiver education promptly and thoroughly.

Caregiver Support & Education:

Provide coaching and hands-on training for caregivers on symptom management, safety, and comfort measures. Prepare families for the anticipated changes that occur during the end-of-life process. Ensure caregivers understand the 24/7 hospice support system and how to access after-hours assistance.

Care Coordination & Follow-Through:

Coordinate pharmacy orders, medication changes, and refills. Ensure patient and family needs are communicated for upcoming weekly visits. Support the team by completing urgent or PRN visits when needed. Participate in an on-call rotation if required by the agency (optional, depending on your policies).

Qualifications Education:

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing; BSN preferred.

Licensure:

Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice.

Experience:

Minimum 2 years of clinical nursing experience; home health, hospice, or acute care experience strongly preferred.

Certifications:

Current CPR/BLS certification required; additional certifications (ACLS, CHPN, etc.) preferred.

Additional Expectations:

Maintain professional boundaries, ethics, and confidentiality. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse patient populations. Show adaptability and strong organizational skills in a dynamic work environment. Uphold compassionate, patient-centered hospice values at all times.