On-Call Registered Nurse

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Hospice of Baton Rouge is seeking a compassionate and skilled On-Call Registered Nurse to join our dedicated team. The On-Call Nurse provides skilled nursing assessment, hospice care, and after-hours clinical support to promote patient comfort, dignity, and quality of life. This position coordinates after-hours and weekend patient care, including triage, nursing visits, urgent medications, durable medical equipment (DME), and admissions, in accordance with The Hospice of Baton Rouge policies, procedures, and applicable nursing practice requirements.

JOB FUNCTIONS:

On-Call Coverage & Triage

• Provide after-hours, weekend, and holiday on-call coverage as scheduled and in accordance with THBR policies and procedures.
• Receive and respond promptly to patient-care needs, escalations, and visit requests communicated through IntellaTriage or other approved agency communication systems.
• Review available clinical information, communicate with patients and families as needed, and determine the appropriate response to identified needs.
• Provide clear clinical instructions to patients and families and conduct follow-up communication as needed to confirm understanding and address ongoing concerns.

Clinical Visits & Patient Care

• Complete or coordinate required after-hours nursing visits for symptom management, falls, injuries, changes in condition, actively dying patients, deaths, and other urgent patient needs.
• Respond appropriately to family requests and patient-care concerns, including conducting visits when required based on the nature or frequency of calls.
• Provide appropriate nursing interventions and symptom management while promoting patient comfort, safety, and continuity of care.

Medications, DME & After-Hours Resources

• Coordinate urgent medication needs with pharmacies, including ordering, delivery, pickup, and other approved options, and escalate unresolved needs appropriately.
• Coordinate after-hours DME, supplies, and equipment needs, including ordering, replacement, troubleshooting, and delivery when necessary for patient safety, comfort, or symptom management.
• Maintain familiarity with after-hours pharmacy, DME, inpatient, provider, and other agency resources and follows established processes for accessing these services.

Admissions & Care Coordination

• Perform after-hours and weekend admissions as assigned or needed, including completion of required admission documentation, electronic consents, and applicable addendums in SmartMD.
• Maintain competency with the admission process and ensure required admission materials and supplies are readily available while on call.
• Collaborate with Case Managers and other hospice team members to support continuity and quality of patient care.
• Communicate significant patient events, changes in condition, unresolved concerns, admissions, deaths, and other pertinent information to the appropriate Case Manager, Clinical Manager, provider, and/or Director of Nursing.

Documentation, Communication & Quality

• Document all calls, visits, admissions, and other required clinical activities accurately in myUnity within 24 hours of occurrence.
• Complete appropriate handoff of outstanding patient-care needs to the next on-call clinician or weekday clinical team.
• Participate in IDT meetings, QAPI activities, performance improvement initiatives, mandatory in-services, and other required education and training as directed.
• Maintain competency with IntellaTriage, myUnity, SmartMD, Qliq, and other systems used in the performance of on-call responsibilities.