Palliative Care Registered Nurse (RN)

Job Title/Position:  Palliative Care Registered Nurse
Reports To:  Director of Clinical Services
Come join an amazing and growing team at Stillwater Hospice.  At nine locations and growing Stillwater has succeeded in the end of life space by prioritizing team members within the organization.  With second to none patient service and community dedication, Stillwater is the provider of choice in the communities in which we serve. Stillwater Hospice Nurses are a critical part of our care team. If you are excited about stepping into an important role for a growing, and dynamic team, apply now!!     

**Currently Interviewing**

PAY RATE: $38 - $44 / Hour
additional on-call pay!
benefits and pto for full time staff

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
  • 100% match up to 4%
  • No vesting period
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Accrual of PTO starts immediately
• Flexible Work Schedule with Work/Life Balance
• Stillwater University for learning and development

Job Description Summary

The Palliative Care RN provides clinical support, symptom management guidance, and care coordination for patients enrolled in our community-based palliative care program, primarily by phone, including triaging incoming clinical calls. Working under the direction of the palliative care provider and in close collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, the RN's primary focus is high-quality, patient-centered clinical work, with the potential for hands-on care as needed and administrative tasks handled as they arise.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Triages incoming clinical calls, assessing urgency and determining appropriate next steps.
• Assesses and regularly monitors patients' physical, emotional, and spiritual symptoms and needs (e.g., pain, nausea, fatigue, depression), primarily by phone, with in-person visits as needed.
• Verifies that key documentation (e.g., POLST, Advance Directives/Living Will, prior ED visits or hospitalizations, updated med list) is in place prior to scheduled visits.
• Schedules and coordinates patient visits and follow-up appointments, including acute visits and symptom management check-ins.
• When notified of a care transition (e.g., hospital to home, home to facility, palliative care to hospice), work as part of the team to help ensure continuity of care.
• Educates patients, families, and at times facilities on chronic disease management and other palliative care topics as needed; some team members may be asked to lead broader education or training sessions.

Communication

• Documents patient interactions and communication in the EMR. Help to ensure external documentation is properly signed, uploaded, and accessible to the care team.
• Acts as a point of contact for patients and family members with questions about services, expectations, or scheduling.
• Coordinates with PCPs, specialists, hospital discharge planners, and other agencies, including home health, to ensure seamless care, and helps strengthen relationships with referring providers, facilities, and community partners in support of expanding patient access to palliative care.
• Provides emotional and psychological support to patients and families, especially during difficult conversations about prognosis and end-of-life care, working in cooperation with the family/caregiver and interdisciplinary team to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.
• Supports families with decision-making and coping strategies.
• Recognizes signs of caregiver burnout and refers family members to appropriate support services when needed.
• Advocates for patients and families to ensure the patient's wishes and values are understood and honored, particularly when patients may be unable to fully voice their needs.
• Attends interdisciplinary team meetings.

Additional Duties

• Attends daily stand-up meetings and IDT meetings as scheduled.
• Acts as a liaison among the care team (office staff, MDs, APPs, chaplains, social workers) to ensure coordinated, compassionate care.
• Serves as an ambassador for the palliative care program, participating in community education events and building trusted relationships with local providers, facilities, and organizations to help expand access to palliative care for patients in our rural communities.
• Coordinates with outside agencies to help ensure medications, DME, and services are accessible to patients and families in a timely manner.
• Helps maintain an up-to-date collection of patient education materials related to palliative care, symptom management, and advance care planning, available in both print and digital formats.
• 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, including utilizing resources such as CAPC.
• Is a supportive, engaged team member, recognizing that palliative care work can be emotionally demanding for the whole team.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Palliative Care-Specific Training

The following will be addressed during onboarding and training (Candidates who already have these skills are a strong fit, but prior experience in these specific areas is not required):

• Communication about end-of-life care and advance care planning.
• Familiarity with pain management protocols and medications.
• Familiarity with medication management for symptom control (e.g., nausea, anxiety, insomnia).
• Knowledge of palliative care and hospice standards.
• Communication skills centered on difficult conversations.
• Assisting with advance care planning, including completion of POLST and advance directives.
• Facilitating family discussions about prognosis.
• Dementia and end-of-life care training

Position Qualifications

• Current RN license in Montana, in good standing, with at least 5 years of clinical experience preferred.
• Leadership experience preferred but not required.
• Ability to handle urgent situations calmly and compassionately.
• Strong teamwork mentality; comfortable working in a connected, supportive environment.
• Strong communication skills with patients, family members, and everyone involved in a patient's care, to nurture and grow relationships within the community.
• Emotional resilience and empathy in providing support during challenging moments.

Work Environment

• In office with mostly phone communication.
• With the growth of the palliative care program, the RN will be willing to provide direct patient care in settings including ALF, SNF, or homes if needed.