Inpatient Unit Manager

Position Summary:

The Hospice of Baton Rouge is seeking a compassionate and experienced Full-Time Inpatient Unit Manager to oversee the coordination, management, and quality of care delivered within the Inpatient Unit (IPU). This role provides clinical and administrative leadership to nursing staff, including Registered Nurses (RNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), ensuring the delivery of patient- and family-centered hospice and palliative care.

The IPU Manager is responsible for daily operations, staffing, regulatory compliance, and quality outcomes, while fostering a collaborative interdisciplinary team environment and promoting continuity of care across all levels of service.

Job Functions:

• Provide clinical, operational, and administrative leadership for the IPU, ensuring high-quality patient care and efficient unit operations.
• Supervise and support IPU staff, including RNs and CNAs, fostering a collaborative, professional, and patient-centered culture.
• Ensure adequate staffing to meet patient and family needs, including developing monthly schedules, approving timecards and time-off requests, and participating in staffing as needed.
• Assist in recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention of IPU staff, including building and maintaining a strong PRN pool.
• Conduct employee performance evaluations, provide ongoing coaching, and support staff development and goal setting.
• Coordinate and manage daily patient care operations, ensuring appropriate assignment of staff based on competency and patient acuity.
• Lead daily interdisciplinary team (IDT) stand-up meetings and ensure accurate and timely completion of IDT documentation.
• Promote continuity of care by effectively communicating patient needs during transitions between levels of care.
• Serve as a resource to staff, patients, and families by providing guidance, education, and support related to care needs and services.
• Ensure excellence in pain and symptom management through clinical oversight and staff support.
• Monitor and evaluate nursing documentation for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Maintain knowledge of and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including Medicare Conditions of Participation, CHAP standards, and HIPAA requirements.
• Manage and resolve patient, family, and staff concerns or complaints in collaboration with the Clinical Director.
• Oversee IPU pharmacy utilization and ensure appropriate medication management practices.
• Participate in and promote continuous quality improvement initiatives, including audits, performance improvement projects (PIPs), and task forces.
• Coordinate and conduct required emergency preparedness drills and ensure staff readiness.
• Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure effective communication, regulatory compliance, and coordination of care.
• Maintain professionalism in all interactions with patients, families, staff, physicians, and community partners.
• Utilize electronic medical records (EMR) systems effectively and ensure accurate data entry and reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and operations of the organization.

Education

• Associate’s or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN preferred)

Certifications

• Current Louisiana Registered Nurse (RN) license

• Current CPR certification

Work Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of hospice experience preferred

• Minimum of three (3) years of nursing experience in an acute care setting (e.g., medical-surgical, oncology, or geriatrics) or home health

Special Skills

• Strong leadership and team management skills

• Ability to assess and respond to the needs of patients and families with compassion and professionalism

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team

• Demonstrated skill in pain and symptom management

• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Emotional resilience and ability to cope with the demands of end-of-life care

Other Requirements

• Proficient in electronic medical records (EMR) systems and basic computer applications

• Knowledge of regulatory and accreditation standards (e.g., CHAP, Medicare Conditions of Participation, HIPAA)

• Ability to work flexible hours as needed

• Must install and maintain required company communication applications on a personal mobile device