On-Call Hospice Nurse (RN)

On-Call Registered Nurse (RN) — Job Requirements

Position Summary

The On-Call Registered Nurse is responsible for providing timely clinical assessment, symptom management, patient and family support, and after-hours hospice nursing services to ensure continuity of care. This position requires independent clinical judgment, effective communication, flexibility, and the ability to respond to urgent patient needs in the home, assisted living, skilled nursing, and other care settings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in Illinois.
• Current CPR certification or the ability to obtain and maintain certification as required by Town Square Hospice.
• Minimum of one year of professional nursing experience preferred; hospice, home health, palliative care, emergency nursing, or other relevant clinical experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to perform independent nursing assessments and recognize changes in patient condition.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and current automobile insurance.
• Ability to travel throughout the agency's designated service area and respond to urgent patient needs.
• Proficiency in electronic medical records, clinical documentation, telephone communication, email, and Microsoft Teams, or the ability to learn these systems.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining communication and collaboration with the hospice interdisciplinary team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. After-Hours Clinical Response

• Respond promptly to calls from patients, families, caregivers, facility staff, and other healthcare professionals.
• Assess reported symptoms and concerns, determine the appropriate level of response, and provide telephone guidance or an in-person visit as clinically indicated.
• Prioritize multiple calls based on patient acuity, safety, comfort, and urgency.
• Communicate with the hospice medical director, attending physician, clinical leadership, and other team members as needed.
• Follow agency triage protocols, policies, and escalation procedures.

2. Required In-Person Visits and Events

The RN is expected to respond to and complete visits as clinically indicated for:

• Patient deaths and post-death support.
• Falls resulting in injury or requiring clinical evaluation.
• Significant changes in patient condition.
• Medication management for symptom relief and comfort.
• Uncontrolled pain, respiratory distress, agitation, or other distressing symptoms.
• Family concerns, caregiver education, and support.
• Comfort-focused nursing interventions and urgent patient assessments.
• Hospice admissions when scheduled or assigned.
• Other patient care needs or duties assigned by clinical leadership.

3. Death Visits and Facility Communication

• Respond to death calls in accordance with agency procedures and applicable requirements.
• If a facility declines or denies the RN's requested visit, promptly notify the supervisor or management through Microsoft Teams or email.
• Document the name and role of the person contacted, the time of contact, the callback number, the reason the visit was denied, and any follow-up instructions.
• Escalate unresolved concerns to management and follow agency procedures to ensure appropriate patient and family support.

4. Clinical Documentation

• Document every patient-related call in the patient's chart using the designated On-Call section in Careficient.
• Complete the On-Call section for all calls involving that specific patient, including telephone assessments, interventions, physician notifications, facility communications, and follow-up plans.
• Complete all required documentation before 8:00 a.m. the following day.
• Ensure documentation is accurate, objective, complete, and consistent with agency policies and professional nursing standards.
• Communicate significant events, changes in condition, medication concerns, and unresolved issues to the appropriate clinical leadership.

5. Medication and Symptom Management

• Assess patient symptoms and response to current interventions.
• Implement authorized interventions and medication orders within the RN's scope of practice and applicable law.
• Coordinate with authorized prescribers when medication changes or additional orders are necessary.
• Educate patients, families, and caregivers regarding comfort medications, symptom management, and when to contact hospice.
• Monitor outcomes and arrange follow-up as indicated.

6. Professionalism and Team Collaboration

• Maintain a calm, compassionate, and professional approach during stressful situations.
• Protect patient confidentiality and follow HIPAA requirements.
• Maintain availability and respond in accordance with agency-established response-time standards.
• Participate in required training, meetings, and performance reviews.
• Maintain clear communication with the Administrator, clinical leadership, and interdisciplinary team.
• Represent Town Square Hospice with professionalism and a commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.

Performance Expectations

Successful performance in this position requires:

• Timely, appropriate responses to patient and family needs.
• Accurate clinical judgment and appropriate escalation of concerns.
• Completion of all required on-call documentation before 8:00 a.m. the following day.
• Prompt notification to management when a visit is denied or a significant concern cannot be resolved.
• Compliance with medication, documentation, communication, and patient safety policies.
• Consistent demonstration of compassion, accountability, dependability, and professionalism.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Ability to travel to patient residences and healthcare facilities throughout the service area.
• Ability to perform essential nursing functions, including patient assessments, medication-related interventions, and assistance with comfort-focused care.
• Ability to communicate effectively by telephone and in person.
• Ability to work independently during nights, weekends, holidays, and other assigned coverage periods.

.

Pay: $40.00 - $43.00 per hour

Expected hours: 56.0 – 80.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: On the road