Hospice Triage Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Celebrated as the #3 Top Workplace in the D.C. region for 2025 by The Washington Post since 2019 , Goodwin Living is more than a team – it's a global family of individuals who represent more than 70 countries.

Goodwin Living is proud to be recognized as a Top Workplace in the greater Washington, D.C. region by The Washington Post every year since 2019 — and now nationally by USA Today . Since 2022, we’ve also been annually recognized as one of the top 100 employers for interns by the Top Virginia Employers for Intern Awards. These honors are based entirely on feedback from our team members, gathered through an annual third-party survey. Here’s what they say makes us stand out:

• Embracing Diversity: Our strength is in our diverse team from over 65 countries, fostering an inclusive and vibrant culture that values every voice.
• Growth and Opportunities: We bolster personal and professional development, offering myriad opportunities, from on-the-job training to mentorship programs and financial support, to help you reach your full potential.
• Valuing Our Team Members: By prioritizing team member satisfaction, we create a fulfilling work environment with competitive benefits, work-life balance, and recognition programs, ensuring our team feels appreciated and valued.

About the Position

This position is responsible for providing skilled nursing assessment, guidance, and support to patients and families during after-hours periods. This includes addressing urgent symptom needs, coordinating care, and supporting the clinical team by triaging phone calls and determining appropriate interventions.

Job Duties

1. Telephone Triage & Symptom Management

• Answer incoming calls from patients, caregivers, and facilities during assigned shift.

• Provide clinical assessment and guidance based on symptoms reported.

• Triage the level of urgency and determine the appropriate response (e.g., home visit, medication adjustment, reassurance).

• Use critical thinking to make decisions with limited information.

• Provide emotional and clinical support to patients and families during the terminal phase of illness.

• Serve as a resource and positive role model for team members and new staff.

2. Coordination of Care

• Communicate and collaborate with on-call staff, physicians, pharmacies, and DME vendors as needed.

• Dispatch appropriate field staff when in-person visits are required.

• Collaborate and support field staff as needed by providing guidance during assigned shift.

• Document all calls and interventions in the EMR in real-time.

3. Communication & Documentation

• Ensure all clinical interactions are documented accurately and timely in accordance with regulatory standards.

• Communicate clearly and effectively with physicians, caregivers, team members and community partners.

• Communicate significant changes or needs to the patient’s primary care team (RNCM, SW, Chaplain) by the next business day.

• Participate in hand-offs and shift reports to ensure continuity of care.

• Document visits and all patient interaction within 24 hours as required.

4. Patient and Family Education

• Provide empathetic and clear education regarding disease process, medications, and hospice philosophy.

• Support families emotionally and guide them through end-of-life expectations and decision-making.

5. Compliance & Quality

• Adhere to all hospice policies, procedures, and protocols.

• Maintain compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g., Medicare Conditions of Participation).

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and triage audits.

5. Staff Continuous Education and staying up to date with current clinical practice.

• Complete all Relias assignments assigned within the required time frame

• Maintain knowledge of hospice nursing best practice and pursue continued professional development offered through Relias and ELNEC

Job Requirements

• Current RN License
• Minimum of 2 years of recent hospice or palliative care experience required.
• Prior telephone triage or after-hours hospice experience strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with EMR software.
• Strong clinical judgment and ability to work independently.
• Strong demonstration of use of medication for symptom management.
• Ability to determine when death is near and advise family appropriately
• Exceptional communication, time management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to remain calm and focused in high-stress situations.

A sampling of our many benefits!

We’ve got you covered with incredible benefits, whether you work full-time, part-time, or PRN (as needed). Here’s a glimpse of what we offer to Full-Time team members:

• Paid Time Off
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• DailyPay: Work and get paid the same day!
• Tuition Assistance for Career Development
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Financial assistance with U.S. Citizenship application or DACA Renewal
• Tutoring for ESL, Citizenship Test & GED
• Staff Emergency Grants
• Retirement Plan- 401(k)
• Free Meals, Access to a Fitness Center, Pool, and More

About Goodwin Living

At Goodwin Living, we can all find work with purpose! As a nonprofit senior living and healthcare organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, we are driven by our mission: to support, honor and uplift the lives of older adults and those who care for them. Our commitment to our team members is written directly into that statement. We create an enriching and supportive work environment that has earned us Top Workplace recognition by The Washington Post since 2019 and, more recently, national recognition by USA Today . These honors reflect the culture our team members foster every day — one rooted in purpose, belonging, and growth.

Goodwin Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an AARP Employer Pledge Signer. We take pride in our inclusive work culture that values diversity and fosters talent. With us, you are more than just a team member; you are part of a community committed t o excellence and continuous learning.