Job Overview:

The Registered Nurse (RN) in Hospice will provide compassionate, quality care to patients at the end of life, focusing on symptom management, comfort, and emotional support. This position requires a skilled nurse to assess patients, develop care plans, and work within an interdisciplinary team to ensure the highest level of care is maintained. The RN will visit patients in their homes across various counties, so the ability to travel and work independently is essential.

Location: Morris County, NJ (covering Morris, Somerset, Union, and Essex counties)
Schedule: Full-time, 5 days per week, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; 1 weekend per month, possibly an additional day on a weekend

Key Responsibilities:

Patient Care and Assessment:

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments to determine appropriateness for hospice care.
• Evaluate the patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, adjusting care plans as necessary.
• Collaborate with families and the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to develop, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans.
• Ensure the care plan is based on evidence-based practices and revise as needed.
• Use age-appropriate teaching methods for patients and families and provide ongoing patient education.

Case Management:

• Take full responsibility for case management, coordinating care with other healthcare professionals.
• Prioritize care needs and communicate patient progress toward goals.
• Demonstrate knowledge of hospice regulations and insurance reimbursement guidelines.
• Maintain effective interdisciplinary communication, attending and participating in IDT meetings every two weeks.
• Oversee and supervise Home Health Aides (HHA) per standards.

Clinical Duties:

• Provide nursing services in the home setting, including but not limited to pain management, symptom control, and patient assessment.
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed, ensuring the safe management of medications.
• Perform routine medication reconciliations and maintain current medication orders.
• Follow infection control protocols and report any infections.
• Ensure patient safety and a supportive environment at all times.

Documentation:

• Accurately document all patient visits, assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.
• Perform laptop data transfer daily, completing admission assessments within 24 hours and re-visit documentation as required.

Team Collaboration and Communication:

• Attend regular staff meetings and participate in performance improvement (PI) activities.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to assess and adjust patient care plans.
• Provide mentorship and orientation to new staff members and contribute to the agency’s business growth.
• Participate in Quality Improvement (QI) activities and gather data for performance metrics.

Additional Duties:

• Cross-train to learn new skills and demonstrate a willingness to teach others.
• Accept other assignments and assist with agency initiatives as needed.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Education: Current, valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New Jersey.
• Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years of experience as an RN, preferably in a home hospice environment.
• Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Technology Skills: Experience using an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.
• Communication: Excellent critical thinking and communication skills.
• Other: Valid New Jersey driver’s license; ability to travel across multiple counties for patient visits.