HOSPICE CLINICAL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Topkare Hospice INC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Free food & snacks

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Topkare Hospice, based in San Diego, is seeking an experienced Clinical Team Leader / Director of Patient Care Services. This full-time, on-site role oversees clinical leadership, staff development, and patient-care delivery in a compassionate hospice setting.

The position emphasizes leadership capability, mentorship, and collaboration across disciplines to enhance patient and family experiences. Strong California RN credentials and hospice background are required; travel locally may be needed.

Qualifications

• Current, unrestricted California Registered Nurse license in good standing.
• Direct hospice experience and practical understanding of end-of-life care, clinical coordination, and interdisciplinary teamwork.
• Paths A/B/C describe eligibility and leadership development pathways within the role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the clinical team, including RNs, LVNs, CHHAs and other staff.
• Oversee patient-care delivery, staffing, caseload assignments, and care coordination.
• Ensure compliance with hospice standards and regulatory requirements; drive quality improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Hospice experience

Coaching

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Free food & snacks
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Clinical Team Leader / Director of Patient Care Services (based on qualifications)

TOPKARE HOSPICE | San Diego, CA | Full-time, on-site | Primarily Monday–Friday

Compensation: $90,000–$125,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities

Are You an Experienced Hospice Nurse Ready to Lead?

You know hospice. You understand the challenges of caring for patients and families during some of life's most difficult moments. You've seen what great clinical leadership can accomplish—and perhaps you've also experienced what happens when leadership falls short.

You do not need to have held the title of Director of Patient Care Services—or any formal leadership title—to start a conversation with us.

Topkare Hospice is seeking an experienced hospice RN who knows patient care, connects with people, and wants to lead, coach, and develop an exceptional clinical team. We are open to candidates ready to assume a qualifying director position as well as promising clinicians who can grow into leadership under experienced clinical oversight.

Perhaps you are a hospice supervisor, team lead, clinical manager, or respected bedside or field RN who routinely mentors colleagues and solves difficult problems. We value the potential to lead as much as the title on a résumé.

We want to meet people who understand hospice, demonstrate leadership capability, and are excited about building a team where employees feel supported, accountable, and proud of the care they provide.

Come Lead Somewhere Different

At Topkare, we believe exceptional patient care begins with an exceptional employee experience.

We can teach our systems, workflows, technology, and operational processes. What is much harder to teach is how to lead people well.

We're looking for someone who understands that leadership is not about having all the answers or being the most experienced clinician in the room. It's about helping others succeed.

We value leadership potential and demonstrated capability—not simply titles held.

The Leader We're Looking For

You may be a strong fit if:

• You have meaningful hospice experience and understand the clinical and emotional demands of end-of-life care.
• You naturally take responsibility, help colleagues succeed, and earn the trust of others.
• You enjoy teaching, mentoring, coaching, and developing fellow clinicians.
• You can hold people accountable while remaining approachable, respectful, and supportive.
• You communicate clearly and address problems directly rather than allowing frustration to build.
• You remain composed under pressure and make thoughtful decisions.
• You listen before reacting and seek to understand different perspectives.
• You are organized, dependable, proactive, and willing to take ownership.
• You are excited about moving beyond individual patient care to positively influencing an entire clinical team.

We are not looking for perfection. We are looking for emotional maturity, self-awareness, sound clinical judgment, humility, and a genuine desire to grow as a leader.

What You’ll Lead

This opportunity can be structured as a clinical team leadership position reporting to Jamie, who may retain the designated DPCS or DPCS Designee responsibilities if she is qualified and formally appointed. A candidate who does not yet meet California DPCS requirements can lead and develop staff within a defined, supervised scope, while the formally appointed DPCS remains responsible for the regulatory duties of that role. The title and decision‑making authority will be confirmed based on qualifications and the final organizational structure.

People Leadership and Development. Lead, support, coach, and develop RNs, LVNs, CHHAs, and other clinical team members. Establish clear expectations, recognize strengths, address performance concerns, and help employees become more capable and confident.

Clinical Operations. Oversee patient‑care delivery, staffing, caseload assignments, visit coverage, clinical escalations, and coordination of services.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration. Support effective interdisciplinary group meetings, care planning, hospice eligibility, recertifications, and communication across clinical disciplines.

Quality and Compliance. Ensure clinical documentation, patient safety, medication practices, and care delivery meet hospice standards and applicable regulatory requirements. Partner with organizational leadership on quality improvement, QAPI, and survey readiness.

Team Culture and Accountability. Create an environment where people communicate openly, take responsibility, receive meaningful feedback, and work collaboratively toward exceptional patient care.

Continuous Improvement. Identify opportunities to strengthen clinical operations, improve employee experiences, and build sustainable systems that support the team.

Your greatest contribution will not simply be completing tasks. It will be building a stronger, more capable clinical team.

Who We Hope to Meet

• Current, unrestricted California Registered Nurse license in good standing.
• Direct hospice experience and a practical understanding of end‑of‑life care, clinical coordination, and the interdisciplinary team.
• There are several ways to be considered:
• Path A — DPCS eligible: California RN with a bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing or another health‑related field and at least two years of full‑time hospice or home‑health supervisory or managerial experience within the last five years.
• Path B — DPCS eligible: California RN with at least four years of full‑time hospice or home‑health supervisory or managerial experience within the last five years; no bachelor’s degree is required under this pathway.
• Path C — Emerging hospice leader: California RN with meaningful hospice clinical experience, strong judgment, and demonstrated mentoring, coaching, coordination, or informal team leadership—even without prior formal supervisory or managerial experience. This candidate may be hired into a clinical team leadership/development position reporting to Jamie, not appointed as DPCS or DPCS Designee until the regulatory requirements are satisfied.
• No disciplinary action that would disqualify the applicant from the position under applicable California rules.
• Ability to provide consistent on‑site leadership in San Diego and travel locally as needed.

A prior DPCS title is not required. Applicants who meet Path A or B may be eligible for formal DPCS appointment, subject to verification and written appointment. Candidates in Path C would work in a distinct clinical leadership role under the oversight of the properly appointed DPCS. California requires the DPCS Designee to meet the same qualifications as the DPCS; Jamie’s designation must therefore be confirmed separately.

About Topkare Hospice

Topkare Hospice is a privately owned, nurse‑led hospice serving San Diego County. We provide personalized, responsive end‑of‑life care through strong clinical practice, integrative therapies, an actively involved Medical Director, and thoughtful use of technology.

We are proud of the clinical systems we have built and equally committed to creating an environment where employees are inspired to do their best work.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you love hospice, enjoy helping colleagues succeed, and are interested in clinical leadership—whether you are already qualified to direct patient care services or are building toward greater responsibility we would welcome a conversation.

Tell us about your hospice experience, examples of how you have helped others, and the kind of clinical team you would like to help build.

Topkare Hospice, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.