Hospice Program Director RN

PathWell Health; Stratford, Northern (CT, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

PathWell Health in Connecticut seeks a Hospice Program Director to lead the clinical hospice services, ensure high quality patient care, and align operations with agency policies.

The role involves supervising clinical staff, coordinating patient services, conducting chart audits, and driving QAPI initiatives, while maintaining regulatory compliance with ACHC and Medicare guidelines. Travel to patient homes as needed.

Qualifications

• Must be a CT-licensed RN with an advanced nursing degree or equivalent.
• Experience in home health or hospice settings and supervisory roles.
• Knowledge of business management, regulatory requirements and ACHC standards.
• Strong verbal and written communication; ability to engage with patients, families and community.
• Ability to develop staff, maintain standards and drive quality improvement.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee direct and indirect patient services by clinical staff.
• Provide supervision and guidance to clinical staff to ensure service quality and standards.
• Perform chart audits and participate in QAPI activities.
• Review initial intake screening to determine home care suitability.
• Ensure Medicare, state and ACHC compliance by clinical staff.
• Orient new staff and conduct in-services; participate in audits and IDG meetings.
• See patients in home settings as needed and maintain supplies.

Education

RN licensure in Connecticut

Master's degree in nursing

BSN with 3+ years home health experience

Diploma/Associate degree in nursing with relevant experience

ANA community health nurse certification or related training

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Hospice Program Director is responsible for the overall direction of hospice clinical services. Maintains the quality of patient care in accordance with the Agency’s objectives and policies, through planning, coordination, implementation and evaluation of the hospice services provided.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinates and oversees all direct and indirect patient services provided by the clinical organization personnel.
• Provide supervision and guidance to clinical staff to ensure the quality of services and maintenance of standards.
• Perform chart audits.
• Gather data for QAPI and participate in QAPI activities.
• Appraise clinical staff performance during their probationary period and annually, provides the teaching and counseling necessary to enhance the delivery of services and the professional development of nursing and health aide staff.
• Identify and evaluate patient needs and appropriateness of home care by reviewing the initial intake screening form before assignment of direct care staff.
• Oversees the maintenance of patient clinical records and assures compliance with local, state and federal laws as well as ACHC standards of care.
• Assist with the orientation of new staff.
• See patients in the home setting as needed.
• Participate in audits, IDG meetings and QAPI.
• Maintains adequate and appropriate Medical Supplies.
• Responsible for the orientation of new personnel as well as in‑services for current staff.
• Responsible for ensuring Medicare, State and ACHC regulations are followed by all clinical staff.
• Assume responsibility for self‑development by continually striving to improve his/her Nursing/Management practice through formal education, attendance at workshops and conferences, active participation in professional and related organizational meetings, and/or individual research and reading.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

• Must be a Registered Nurse licensed by the state of Connecticut and shall have one of the following,
  • Must have a master’s degree from a program approved by the National League for Nursing or the American Public Health Association with a minimum of one year (1) of full-time clinical experience in a home health agency or related community health program which included care of the sick at home, or
  • A baccalaureate degree in nursing and a minimum of three (3) years of full-time clinical experience in nursing, at least one (1) of which was in a home health agency or community health program which included care of the sick at home, or
  • A registered nurse who has been continuously employed in the position onf suoervisro of clinical services in a home health agency in the state of Connecticut since January 1, 1979, or
• A diploma in nursing or an associate's degree in nursing and
  • A minimum of three years of full-time or full-time equivalent clinical experience in nursing within the past five years, at least one year of which was in a home health agency or related community health program which included care of the sick at home, or
  • Evidence of certification by the American Nurses’ Association as a community health nurse or completion of at least sox credits received within two years in community health nursing theory or six credits in health care management from an accredited college or university program or school of nursing.
• Must have a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience in home hospice or skilled home care. (hospice preferred)
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience.
• Ability to market and deal tactfully with customers and the community.
• Knowledge of business management, governmental regulations and ACHC standards.
• The ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing.
• Must have the ability to demonstrate self-confidence and a positive attitude toward self and others, and maintain commitment and enthusiasm to goal achievement.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.