What does a Hospice Nurse do?
Hospice Nurses help hospitals, home health services and long-term care facilities deliver quality care to people whose life expectancy is about six months or less. By communicating with physicians, they ensure that patients remain comfortable and receive appropriate treatments based on their condition. As a result, a Hospice Nurse can reduce the risk of medical errors. The support they provide patients’ family members alleviates some of the physical and emotional stress people experience when a loved one is terminally ill. When they perform their job duties successfully, a Hospice Nurse helps increase care satisfaction rates.
Hospice Nurse skills and qualifications
To perform their job duties proficiently, a Hospice Nurse must meet certain qualifications. Some key skills that you may wish to list on your Hospice Nurse job description include:
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Observation skills to recognize changes in patients who may be unable to communicate
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Strong oral communication skills to direct other members of the health care team and deliver reports to physicians
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Well-developed interpersonal skills to interact positively with patients and their family members
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Attentiveness to detail to maintain accurate patient records
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Knowledge of the standards of care for end-of-life care
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Familiarity with pain relief drugs and other medications and treatments commonly prescribed for hospice patients
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Computer skills, including using email and patient record management software
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Ability to move patients and heavy and/or delicate medical equipment like IVs and nebulizers
Hospice Nurse experience requirements
Generally, Hospice Nurses will need some previous experience in nursing to complete their job duties, but how much they require varies. When writing your job description for a Hospice Nurse, consider the working environment for the position. Hospice Nurses who work in the home setting may need three to five years of prior work history caring specifically for end-of-life patients to be able to fulfill their responsibilities with little to no direct supervision. At hospitals and long-term care facilities with more than one Hospice Nurse on duty at a time, one to three years of direct patient care experience may be adequate.
Hospice Nurse education and training requirements
To work as a Hospice Nurse, a health care professional must first obtain a nursing license. Both Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) work in the specialty. LPNs usually complete a one-year training program and then pass a written exam for licensing. RNs must usually receive an associate or bachelor’s degree before taking the licensing exam.
As you compare resumes, you may wish to prioritize candidates who have obtained certification through the Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC). The organization grants the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) credential to RNs and Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) credential to LPNs. For both certifications, candidates must care for hospice patients for a minimum number of hours and pass a test.
Hospice Nurse salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Hospice Nurse is $83,623 per year. How much an individual Hospice Nurse earns depends on their work experience, education, certification status and geographic location.
Job description samples for similar positions
If the hospice nursing job description described above doesn’t fully reflect the needs of your organization, consider the following related job titles:
Hospice Nurse job description FAQs
What’s the difference between a Hospice RN and a Hospice LPN?
Generally, a Hospice RN receives more training than a Hospice LPN. As a result, they are able to administer medications and treatments in most states. The job duties of a Hospice LPN usually focus solely on ensuring the comfort of patients.
Do the duties of Hospice Nurses vary in different settings?
The duties listed in a job description for a Hospice Nurse may vary based on the setting. Those who visit patients’ homes may oversee and direct the activities of other health care professionals like nursing assistants and home health aides. In long-term care facilities, they may be responsible for helping to draft standards of care for all members of the care team to follow and spearhead the development of individualized care plans for terminally ill residents.
How can I make my Hospice Nurse job description stand out?
To make your hospice nursing job description stand out, lead with a bulleted list of the key benefits of working for your organization. Mention things such as employee benefits, flexible scheduling and opportunities for advancement, if offered. Also, provide detailed information about your facility or service, highlighting what separates you from competitors and makes your organization one that a Hospice Nurse would be proud to be an employee of.
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