On-Call Hospice RN

JOB TITLE:                                    On-Call Registered Nurse

RESPONSIBLE TO:                      Director of Clinical Services

POSITION SUMMARY:             The Hospice RN On-Call provides skilled nursing care, symptom management, and emotional support to hospice patients and their families during after-hours periods, in private homes and facility settings (e.g., adult foster homes, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities). This role responds to patient needs outside of regular business hours—including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays—ensuring comfort, safety, and dignity at end of life. Hospice RNs advocate for comfort, dignity, and compassionate end-of-life care. The On-Call RN plays a critical role in ensuring patients, caregivers, and facility staff feel supported and informed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Respond promptly to on-call patient and caregiver needs, supporting them through physical and/or emotional crises via phone or in-person visits.


2. Provide optimal pain and symptom management, emotional support, and energy-saving techniques to patients and caregivers. Support patients and caregivers in remaining in the setting of care (home or facility) for as long as desired.


3. Coordinate care with hospice interdisciplinary team members (physician, social worker, chaplain, etc.); provide crisis intervention and end-of-life care; and administer medications and treatments as ordered.


4. Provide education to patients, families, caregivers, and (as appropriate) facility staff based on learning needs, abilities, and readiness related to the patient’s health care needs, plan of care, and coping styles and abilities.


5. Provide pain, symptom, and emotional support to patients and families during active dying and post-death care, in the home or facility setting.


6. Communicate frequently and effectively with facility staff (e.g., nurses, caregivers, and administrators) to coordinate care, clarify orders, reinforce the plan of care, and support the patient’s comfort and safety.


7. Pronounce death when appropriate and complete required documentation.


8. Communicate with RN Case Manager, Medical Director, Director of Clinical Services, and IDT concerning patient care.


9.  Ensure accurate, timely charting in the electronic medical record (EMR) and maintain current patient records, ensuring problems, actions, and goals are accurate and clearly stated.


10. Follow hospice regulations, policies, and best practice standards, as well as perform nursing skills according to standards accepted within the State of Oregon.


11. Participate in quality improvement, on-call reporting, and communication handoffs.


12. Attend and participate in patient care conferences, staff support meetings, and staff meetings.


13. Provide all services in full compliance with Medicare regulations, including timely, professional documentation.


14. Understand and adhere to ClearPath Healthcare policies and procedures.


15. Demonstrate respect for and promote the dignity of patients in all interactions.


16. Maintain confidentiality of patient information.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current, unencumbered Oregon Registered Nurse (RN) license


• Graduate of an accredited nursing program


• Valid driver’s license; reliable transportation; and auto insurance


• Ability to work independently and make sound clinical decisions


• Strong assessment, communication, and documentation skills

Preferred

• Minimum 1 year of hospice, palliative care, home health, or med‑surg experience


• CHPN (Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse) certification


• Experience with EMR systems and after-hours triage

WORKING CONDITIONS/PERSONAL DEMANDS:

1. Ability to function effectively in high-stress and crisis situations; manage multiple priorities; and work as a team participant.


2. Ability to assess and respond to the needs of patients and families in any setting where the patient might be located.


3. Demonstrate self-management skills related to personal loss to remain an effective participant in the hospice setting.


4. Ability to lift, reposition, and assist patients.


5. Ability to drive frequently and enter patient homes and facilities in varying conditions.


6. Ability to use computers and related technology to accurately document patient visits, as necessary.

OSHA CATEGORY:

Category I: Tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.

ClearPath Healthcare is a drug free workplace.

ClearPath Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.