Hospice Nurse Weekend Program - Northern IL

Advocate Health Care; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care seeks an experienced Hospice Registered Nurse to provide comprehensive in-home and community hospice care in Illinois. You will assess patients, respond to after-hours calls, and coordinate with the care team to ensure comfort and safety at end-of-life. An Illinois RN license and BLS are required, plus a valid driver's license.

The role emphasizes compassionate communication, autonomous decision-making, and strong documentation in the EMR to support quality care.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited or approved nursing program.
• Licensed RN in Illinois with current BLS.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to patient homes.

Responsibilities

• Incorporate responsibility, accountability, critical thinking, and sound clinical decision-making into daily nursing practice.
• Provide comprehensive nursing assessment, triage, and intervention for hospice patients during after-hours shifts.
• Respond to patient and caregiver calls to assess symptoms, provide education, and determine appropriate interventions consistent with hospice goals of care.
• Conduct in-person visits as clinically indicated to manage acute symptom changes, provide crisis support, and ensure patient comfort and safety.
• Manage complex end-of-life symptoms and coordinate with physicians and the care team.
• Document all patient encounters, assessments, interventions, and communications timely in the EMR.

Skills

Hospice care experience

Autonomous decision-making

Calm and compassionate communication

EMR proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing

Job description

• Incorporate responsibility, accountability, critical thinking, and sound clinical decision-making into daily nursing practice.
• Provide comprehensive nursing assessment, triage, and intervention for hospice patients during after-hours shifts.
• Respond to patient and caregiver calls to assess symptoms, provide education, and determine appropriate interventions consistent with hospice goals of care.
• Conduct in-person visits as clinically indicated to manage acute symptom changes, provide crisis support, and ensure patient comfort and safety.
• Manage complex end-of-life symptoms, including pain, dyspnea, agitation, anxiety, nausea, and terminal secretions.
• Initiate and carry out physician orders and standing hospice protocols within scope of practice.
• Provide emotional support, anticipatory guidance, and education to patients and caregivers, including support for decisions to question, refuse, or terminate treatment.
• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, and interdisciplinary team members to communicate changes in patient condition and coordinate care.
• Document all patient encounters, assessments, interventions, and communications accurately and timely in the electronic medical record, including clear handoff communication to ensure continuity of care.
• Adhere to hospice policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and professional nursing standards, including participation in required education, quality improvement, and safety initiatives.

Major Responsibilities

• Incorporate responsibility, accountability, critical thinking, and sound clinical decision-making into daily nursing practice.
• Provide comprehensive nursing assessment, triage, and intervention for hospice patients during after-hours shifts.
• Respond to patient and caregiver calls to assess symptoms, provide education, and determine appropriate interventions consistent with hospice goals of care.
• Conduct in-person visits as clinically indicated to manage acute symptom changes, provide crisis support, and ensure patient comfort and safety.
• Manage complex end-of-life symptoms, including pain, dyspnea, agitation, anxiety, nausea, and terminal secretions.
• Initiate and carry out physician orders and standing hospice protocols within scope of practice.
• Provide emotional support, anticipatory guidance, and education to patients and caregivers, including support for decisions to question, refuse, or terminate treatment.
• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, and interdisciplinary team members to communicate changes in patient condition and coordinate care.
• Document all patient encounters, assessments, interventions, and communications accurately and timely in the electronic medical record, including clear handoff communication to ensure continuity of care.
• Adhere to hospice policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and professional nursing standards, including participation in required education, quality improvement, and safety initiatives.

Education

• Completion of an accredited or approved nursing program

Certification / Registration / License

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice
• Valid driver’s license
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification – American Heart Association

Work Experience

• Typically one (1) year of nursing experience in any clinical setting

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Demonstrated understanding of hospice philosophy and end-of-life care principles
• Ability to manage urgent and complex clinical situations independently
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including calm and compassionate guidance during crisis situations
• Strong organizational and time-management skills in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency with electronic medical records, computers, and telephone systems

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Ability to travel to patient homes and community care settings as required
• Ability to work in a variety of home and community environments
• Capacity to promptly address patient needs in a fast-paced environment
• Work involves walking, standing, sitting, lifting, reaching, stooping, bending, pushing, and pulling
• Must be able to lift and support up to 35 pounds when handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies

Preferred Job Requirements

Education

• Not specified

Experience

• One (1) year of Hospice RN experience
• Experience in hospice, palliative care, oncology, ICU, emergency department, or home health
• Experience providing autonomous nursing care in home or community-based settings

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Strong assessment, critical thinking, and independent clinical decision-making skills
• Advanced communication skills for patient and caregiver education and support

All responsibilities and requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description does not state or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this role. Employees are required to follow all job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties as assigned by leadership.