On-Call Registered Nurse – Hospice 

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY 

The On-Call registered nurse provides home health care and is experienced in nursing, with 
emphasis on community health education/experience.  The professional nurse builds from the resources of the community to provide services to meet the needs of individuals and families 
within their homes and communities. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES 

Patient Care 

1.    Completes 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 the nursing process. 

3.    Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by: 

A.   Contributes to the plan of care. 

B.   Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary 

4.    Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis. 

5.    Contributes to the 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.    Adhering to the organization’s documentation and care procedures and standards of 
personal and professional conduct. 

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

10. Assists the patient and/or caregiver/family with the activities of daily living, provision and 
       education, and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward maintaining independence for as long 

as possible and optional comfort care. 

11. RN will act as Case Manager until a Case Manager is assigned by Clinical Supervisor or 
designee and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned patient. 

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.    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. 

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

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

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

Additional Duties 

1.    Is responsible for all on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy. 

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

3.    Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required. 

4.    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. 

POSITION 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.    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 home health aide if 
weekend visits are assigned to the aide.  

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.   Homecare/Homebase (Pointcare) EMR system knowledge preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be 
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

1.  Prolonged or considerable walking or standing.   

2.  Able to lift, position, and/or transfer patients.   

3.  Able to lift supplies and equipment.   

4.  Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and/or crouching.   

5.  Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills.