Job Description
Job DescriptionJob Posting: Hospice Start of Care Nurse / Supervisor at VistaRiverJob Description
VistaRiver Healthcare is excited to announce a career opportunity for a dedicated and seasoned professional as a full-time Hospice Start of Care Nurse / Supervisor. This pivotal role caters to enhancing the quality of hospice care services we provide to patients at a critical phase in their care journey. The position embodies a unique blend of clinical expertise and leadership responsibilities, aiming to uphold our commitment to compassionate and comprehensive end-of-life care. Located at our main facility, this position is onsite and requires a hands-on approach to patient care, staff management, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Perform initial Start of Care (SOC) assessments and admit patients into hospice care following regulatory guidelines and company policies.
- Lead, supervise, and evaluate an interdisciplinary team consisting of RN case managers, LPNs, CNAs, and other healthcare professionals.
- Manage patient care logistics, from symptom management strategies to crisis intervention, ensuring high standards of care are continuously met.
- Create, implement, and oversee staff schedules to ensure consistent patient coverage and staff well-being.
- Conduct regular training and development sessions for all team members to keep them updated with the latest in hospice care practice and policies.
- Ensure that all patient care documentation and records adhere to Medicare standards and other regulatory requirements.
- Coordinate with healthcare providers, family members, and other stakeholders to develop individualized care plans that respect the patient’s and family’s needs and wishes.
- Monitor and report on key performance indicators to assess effectiveness of care delivery and identify areas for improvement.
- Handle sensitive end-of-life and ethical issues with compassion and professionalism, providing guidance and support to staff and families.
- Maintain a robust compliance culture by regularly reviewing care procedures and adjusting protocols to align with healthcare regulations and best practices.
Requirements
- Registered Nurse (RN) with an active, unencumbered license in the state of practice.
- Minimum of 3–5 years experience in hospice care, including hands-on experience with Start of Care (SOC), admissions, and comprehensive assessments.
- Thorough knowledge of Medicare Conditions of Participation, hospice eligibility requirements, and documentation standards.
- Expertise in managing symptoms such as pain, dyspnea, and agitation, and proficient in medication reconciliation and hospice pharmacology.
- Demonstrated leadership and ability to supervise and train nursing staff and other members of the interdisciplinary care team.
- Exceptional skills in designing and delivering educational programs for healthcare professionals, utilizing adult learning principles.
- Proficient with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems commonly used in hospice environments such as Kinnser, WellSky, or MatrixCare.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, effective in handling complex family dynamics and able to make critical decisions in high-pressure situations.
- Personal commitment to the hospice philosophy, demonstrating empathy, ethical practices, and resilience in high-stress situations.
- Possession of Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) credentials is considered a major advantage.
- Previous experience in a supervisory or managerial role highly desirable, with a background in quality improvement initiatives in clinical settings.