Hospice RN Case Manager (South County)

We are looking for compassionate **Registered Nurses** **(RN)** to join our hospice team.

**Position:** Hospice RN Case Manager

**Reports to:** Clinical Director

**Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities**

The role of an RN Case Manager is one of the most direct, hands-on nursing roles in our hospice team. The RN Case Manager plans, organizes and directs hospice care and is experienced in nursing, with emphasis on community health education/experience. The professional nurse builds from the resources of the community to plan and direct services to meet the needs of individual and families within their homes and communities.

***Patient Care***

1. Completes an initial, comprehensive and ongoing assessments of patient and family to determine hospice needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).

2. Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process.

3. Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by:

-Writing and initiating plan of care

-Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs

-Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary

4. Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.

5. Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and the family in the planning process.

6. Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care.

7. Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.

8. Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan.

9. Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care.

10. Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Supervisor/Nursing Supervisor and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.

***Communication***

1. Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.

2. Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required.

3. Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan. 4. Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provides medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers. Works in concert with the interdisciplinary group.

5. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.

6. Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.

7. Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice Interdisciplinary Group Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.

8. Attends interdisciplinary group meetings.

***Additional Duties***

1. Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.

2. Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.

3. Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-service classes.

4. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.

5. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.

**Qualifications**

1. Registered nurse with current licensure to practice professional nursing in the state.

2. Graduate of National League for Nursing accredited school of nursing.

3. Maintains a current CPR certification.

4. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state/or organization requirements and is in good working order.

5. Registered nurses shall have a minimum of (a) one (1) year of experience as a professional nurse within the last three (3) years OR (b) have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing and a current RN license. Minimum of two years’ experience, at least one of which is in the area of public health, home care, or hospice nursing is preferred.

6. Self directed and able to work with minimal supervision.

7. Management experience not required. Responsible for supervising hospice aides.

8. Demonstrates excellent observation, problem solving, verbal and written communications; nursing skills per competency checklist.

9. Shows ability to organize and prioritize workload independently.

10. Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift, position, and/or transfer patients. Able to lift supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and/or crouching. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills.

11. Bilingual Spanish required

**Education**

* Associate Degree in Nursing required.
* BSN is a plus.

**Why join Comfort and Peace Hospice?**

We are a clinician-owned hospice company and we pride ourselves on providing excellent care that is matched by excellent customer service. We will be happy and honored to have you join our boutique style hospice. This will be a perfect job for you if "you are a great communicator and you love customer service".

**Benefits include:**

* Competitive compensation
* Dynamic and team-oriented work environment
* Growth and development opportunities
* Health insurance coverage (Medical, dental, and vision)
* We contribute to your 401K plan
* Holiday pay
* Mileage reimbursement

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $53.00 - $58.00 per hour

Benefits:

* 401(k)
* Dental insurance
* Health insurance
* Mileage reimbursement
* Paid time off
* Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

* Medicare LCD & Recertification Knowledge:

In a Case Manager role, you are responsible for proving ongoing hospice eligibility during benefit periods. How comfortable are you assessing and documenting progressive clinical decline (e.g., tracking FAST/PPS scores, weight loss, and disease trajectories) for recertification?

[ ] Expert – I routinely manage recertification documentation, track progressive decline metrics, and lead IDT discussions regarding eligibility.

[ ] Proficient – I understand recertification criteria and can document functional decline, but occasionally seek guidance on non-cancer cases.

[ ] Basic – I know the basics of hospice eligibility, but I have limited direct experience managing routine recertifications.

[ ] No Experience – I am new to hospice recertification documentation.

* Symptom Management & Clinical Autonomy:

Hospice Case Managers independently manage complex symptom crises (e.g., pain, terminal restlessness, dyspnea, nausea) in the field. How would you rate your expertise in managing hospice comfort meds and standing orders?

[ ] Advanced – Very confident titration of comfort medications, managing symptom crises independently, and collaborating with physicians on complex plan-of-care adjustments.

[ ] Proficient – Comfortable initiating comfort protocols and managing common hospice symptoms under standing physician orders.

[ ] Basic – Familiar with basic palliative medication administration, but prefer close guidance from leadership for medication adjustments.

* Caseload Management & Route Prioritization:

Hospice Case Managers must balance routine visits, urgent triage calls, family updates, and interdisciplinary collaboration across a geographic territory. How do you prioritize your daily caseload when an unexpected patient crisis arises during your route?

[ ] High Priority – I am skilled at dynamic triage, reprioritizing my daily visits on the fly, and adjusting my route to see acute patients first without compromising compliance.

[ ] Moderate – I can adjust my day for urgent visits with support from the clinical supervisor/triage team.

[ ] Prefer Fixed Schedules – I function best with a pre-set daily visit schedule that rarely changes during the shift.

* Technology & Field Documentation:

Case Managers must complete point-of-care EMR documentation (such as HospiceMD) directly at the bedside or in the field to ensure real-time team communication. What is your comfort level with point-of-care charting on a tablet/laptop?

[ ] Highly Proficient – I comfortably chart at the point of care/bedside, upload documentation in real time, and navigate mobile EMR tools easily.

[ ] Proficient – I complete my charting on the same day using mobile tools, though I prefer finishing documentation after visits.

[ ] Basic – I prefer traditional paper charting or completing all computer charting at home on a desktop at the end of the day.

* Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) Leadership:

As the Case Manager, you coordinate care for your assigned patients alongside Social Workers, Chaplains, Hospice Aides, and Medical Directors. Describe your experience collaborating within an Interdisciplinary Group (IDG/IDT).

[ ] Extensive – I regularly present case updates in IDT meetings, direct Hospice Aide care plans, and collaborate continuously with psychosocial and spiritual teams.

[ ] Moderate – I participate in IDT meetings and coordinate care with aides, social workers, and chaplains regularly.

[ ] Limited – I have worked in nursing teams, but not specifically within a formal Hospice Interdisciplinary Team.

Experience:

* Hospice: 1 year (Required)
* Nursing: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

* California RN license (Required)

Shift availability:

* Day Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

* San Diego, CA (Required)

Work Location: On the road