Hospice Registered Nurse

St. Luke’s University Health Network; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke's University Health Network is seeking a hospice-oriented registered nurse to render professional nursing services to patients and families in the Bethlehem area.

The role requires assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care within the agency’s Plan of Care, with attention to psychosocial and financial considerations. The nurse will work with an interdisciplinary team to develop care plans, educate families, and supervise LPNs and HHAs while maintaining thorough

Qualifications

• Professional nursing care for patients and families.
• Ability to collaborate with the interdisciplinary team.
• Health teaching and guidance to patients and families.

Responsibilities

• Determine eligibility for admission and formulate initial care plan.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to ensure appropriate care planning.
• Communicate with patients' physicians and hospice Medical Director as required.
• Supervise and guide nursing staff and volunteers in care delivery.
• Maintain and update patient records in accordance with policy.

Skills

Nursing care

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Patient education

Documentation

Education

BSN preferred

Active PA nursing license

Job description

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care. Renders professional nursing services to patient and families assigned, and demonstrates the ability to assess, to plan, to evaluate and to implement nursing care with attention to the special needs of the agency. Works in accordance with the Team's Plan of Care and written agency programs and policies

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 1. Determines eligibility for admission; obtains financial and statistical data; formulates initial care plan according to the patient's condition.
• 2. Collaborates with members of the interdisciplinary team to assure appropriate care planning.
• 3. Communicates with the patient's physician and/or hospice Medical Director, both orally and in writing as required by the patient's condition and agency policy.
• 4. Cooperates with the Volunteer Coordinator and is available to hospice volunteers for counsel, advice and training when dealing with the patients and families.
• 5. Assumes general personal responsibility to keep informed of current changes and trends affecting Hospice care and professional nursing functions.
• 6. Participates in the bereavement program and supervises volunteers in providing bereavement care.
• 7. Carries primary responsibility for providing comprehensive nursing care, health teaching, guidance and supervision to the individual and family. Considers psychosocial, environmental, spiritual and financial needs.
• 8. Supervises patient care given by LPNs and/or HHAs.
• 9. Maintains and uses patient clinical records, reports and other written communications according to agency policy and directives. Documentation is timely, accurate and clearly outlines the goals and plans with emphasis on the family oriented approach to patient care. Records reflect contact with physicians and other agencies needed.
• 10. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to develop, implement, and evaluate appropriate bereavement plans of care for families/significant others.
• 11. Participates in the development and operation of the agency by: Entity 33 Job Class Code Number 7427, 7542, 7543 a. Keeping administration informed on changing community needs and lack of community resources. b. Participating in the orientation and guidance of new staff. c. Interpreting agency service to families and community groups. d. Contributing to evaluation of service programs. e. Evaluating effectiveness of his/her own service and contributing to the evaluation of and continuing development of staff members. f. Participating in the development of inservice programs and group teaching for staff and other groups, as assigned.
• 12. Maintains confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/ Entity as well as the proper release of information
• 13. Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows appropriate reporting requirements.
• 14. Demonstrates/models the Network’s Service Excellence Standards of Performance in interactions with all customers (internal and external).
• 15. Demonstrates Performance Improvement in the following areas as appropriate: Clinical Care/Outcomes, Customer/Service Improvement, Operational System/Process, and Safety.
• 16. Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes and practices.
• 17. Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding attendance and dress code.
• 18. Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth and development and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• 1. Comprehensive knowledge of professional nursing theory and ability to apply it to the community health setting.
• 2. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to patients, families, physicians and related persons.
• 3. Ability to instruct nonprofessionals in the care and treatment of the physically and emotionally ill.
• 4. Ability to prepare neat, timely, accurate and concise records and reports.
• 5. Ability to accept and to utilize supervision.
• 6. Ability to exercise tact, initiative and good judgment in dealing with people.
• 7. Knowledge of the use of community resources.
• 8. Interest in keeping abreast of trends and developments in nursing practice.
• 9. Knowledge of and ability to apply Hospice care principles.
• 10. Knowledge of principles of social service and counseling especially as they relate to death and dying.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Heavy Work Exertional activity

• 1. Occasionally lift and/or carry 100 lbs
• 2. Frequently lift and/or carry 50 lbs
• 3. Stand and/or walk at least 6 hours in an 8-hour work day

Nonexertional activity

• 1. Stooping (bending at the waist) and crouching (stooping and bending at the knees) – required frequently
• 2. Handling (grasping) – required frequently
• 3. Fingering (fine manipulation) – required only occasionally

Important: The functional capacity to perform heavy work includes the functional capacity to perform medium, light and sedentary work. Good physical and mental health.

Neat, clean, free from body odors, conforms to the uniform code.

Constant standing, walking, turning, stooping, bending, climbing, stretching and lifting in the provision of nursing care

Visual and auditory acuity required to provide comprehensive nursing care.

Finger and hand dexterity necessary to handle delicate instruments and other equipment.

Environmental Conditions:

Inside – Office environment and patient homes

Inside – Office environment and patient homes

Outside - Traveling to clinics and/or office errands in extreme cold and heat, wet and/or humid conditions, snow, ice and/or fog

Outside - Traveling to clinics and/or office errands in extreme cold and heat, wet and/or humid conditions, snow, ice and/or fog

Hazards - Exposure to contagious disease road and driving domestic pets

Education:

A graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing and possess a current active license to practice nursing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. BSN preferred.

Training and experience:

Two years experience as a professional nurse in nursing practice or previous community health and/or Hospice care as a professional nurse.

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Founded in 1872, St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 23,000 employees providing services at 16 campuses and 350+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue in excess of $4 billion, the Network’s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke’s hospitals operate the largest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania, with the Bethlehem Campus being home to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare’s five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. The Network’s flagship University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from Premier 13 times total and eleven years in a row, including in 2023 when it was identified as THE #4 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. In 2021, St. Luke’s was identified as one of the 15 Top Health Systems nationally. St. Luke’s is the ONLY health care institution in the Lehigh Valley to be named a Top Workplace regionally repeating the exclusive honor for the third year in a row. Also, for the third straight year, St. Luke’s has been a Top Workplaces in the Philadelphia Region by the Philadelphia Inquirer, ranking 9th in the large employer category for 2025 and the only health care system in PA to receive this award. In 2025, St. Luke’s was recognized as a national Top Workplaces by USA Today, three years in a row, including the 3rd best health care system in the nation in 2023 and 2024. Lastly, in 2025, St. Luke’s was named a Top Workplace in New Jersey for the third year in a row. Learn More Here.