Covenant Health

Registered Nurse - Hospice, Nurse Liaison, Administration

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Covenant HomeCare is East Tennessee’s largest locally owned homecare and hospice provider, with one of the largest rehabilitation departments in this area. Since 1978, we have provided quality home healthcare to allow patients to live with comfort, dignity, and independence. We care for more than 4,700 patients in our HomeCare and Hospice program every year. Covenant HomeCare is accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program. We are a proud member of Covenant Health, our region’s top-performing healthcare network. 

Position Summary:

Facilitates understanding of hospice services for patients, families, case managers and providers in the community setting. Enhances smooth transition of patients transitioning to hospice services.

Recruiter: Madeline Fornadel  || apply@covhlth.com

• Cultivates positive ongoing relationships focused on identifying and meeting the needs of all Covenant Health Facilities. Works with Covenant medical providers to increase referrals, educate case managers, target physicians and other providers in continuity of care. Works with Physicians to increase referrals, provides education and updates on Covenant Hospice services, explains referral process, works on communication and relationship building, and obtains feedback from physicians regarding satisfaction with services, federal and state regulations. Understands and encourages the appropriate placement within the continuum of care.
• Communicates effectively with patients, family members, and professional staff concerning the philosophy of Covenant HomeCare for hospice services.
• Identifies educational opportunities within the aforementioned groups. Arranges for in-services when necessary.
• Provides onsite support at Covenant Health hospital(s) for patients.
• Facilitates effective and efficient transition for patients along the continuum of care for Covenant Hospice.
• Monitors and follows up on any current Covenant Hospice patient who may have returned to the hospital. Follows up to figure out what caused the hospitalization, communicates with case managers about home environment if there are issues preventing care at home, and, if needed, provides case management with information/contacts for caregiver to help facilitate safe discharge.
• Participates in appropriate meetings at assigned facilities (e.g. IDT, palliative care, case management, etc.).
• Assesses patient’s hospice needs upon receiving referral from acute care case manager/discharge planner to include eligibility criteria, appropriate home environment, and ability to self-care or availability of caregiver.
• Provides thorough explanation of services to be provided by hospice in post-acute setting (home, ALF, SNF, Hospice House). Facilitates communication of important information specific to patient’s situation to hospice staff.
• Communicates with access department, scheduling, and hospice staff to ensure excellent coordination of care and begins collaboration with patient/family to establish mutual goals based on patient’s needs, problem and or wishes.
• Conducts initial assessment of the impact of the terminal illness on the patient’s physical, functional, psychosocial and environmental needs and activities of daily living.
  • Facilitates a palliative Milieu within facility that promotes a smooth transition at time of death
  • Risk for pathological grief
  • Cultural and spiritual implications
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication patterns
• Prepares clinical and nursing notes, in both facility and hospice documentation systems that reflect the progression of disease process at the end of life as it takes it normal course.
• Has working knowledge of Medicare guidelines and performs in compliance with such guidelines.
• Leads process improvement initiatives in their own unit or participate in facility team.
• Proficient use of software systems needed to perform duties of the role.
• Works with leadership to develop education material to be shared with referral sources/community.
• Local travel required.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:           

Graduation from accredited school of nursing.

Minimum Experience:         

One (1) year experience in related area (case management,  hospice, discharge planning). Must be able to function and problem-solve independently and with minimal supervision. Working knowledge of hospice rules and regulations.

Licensure Requirement:      

Must have and maintain Tennessee State RN licensure. CPR required. Employee must have a valid Tennessee driver’s license Class D and state mandated minimum insurance coverage. Driving record must meet Covenant Health minimum standards at the date of hire and throughout employment tenure.