Location & Practice Overview

This leadership role is based with Northern Illinois Hospice, a community-focused hospice organization headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, supporting hospice operations across northern Illinois service areas.

Practice Type Community-based hospice
Primary Location Rockford, Illinois
Care Setting Hospice operations with field and administrative support
Service Area Context Northern Illinois counties including Winnebago and surrounding regions

Responsibilities

  • Lead, coach, and support CNAs along with off-shift clinical staff to maintain consistent care standards.
  • Oversee staffing, scheduling, and coverage for hospice operations, particularly evenings, weekends, and off-shift periods.
  • Coordinate admissions, hospital discharges, and urgent hospice referrals to ensure timely patient transitions.
  • Serve as a clinical resource for symptom management and complex care situations arising during off-shift hours.
  • Conduct chart reviews, quality audits, and joint visits while ensuring regulatory and hospice standard compliance.
  • Support recruitment, onboarding, competency validation, and performance management; participate in clinical administrative on-call rotation as assigned.

The role centers on operational leadership and clinical guidance that keeps hospice services continuous and coordinated after regular business hours.

Qualifications & Requirements

Candidates must hold an active Illinois RN license and bring substantial nursing experience, with hospice or home health background preferred.

Licensure
Active Illinois Registered Nurse license
Education
Graduate of an accredited nursing program; BSN preferred
Experience
Minimum 5 years of nursing experience; hospice or home health preferred
Certification
CHPN preferred or obtained within two years; current CPR certification
Transportation
Valid driver’s license, insurance, and reliable transportation

Compensation & Benefits

This is a salary-exempt position with a defined base salary range determined by education, experience, and internal equity.

  • Base salary range: $91,600–$132,732 per year
  • Medical, dental, vision, and HSA options
  • Life insurance and disability coverage
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Generous PTO that increases with years of service

Schedule & Work Environment

Core Hours Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Flexibility Hours may adjust based on operational needs
Exempt Status Salary-exempt role requiring pre- and post-shift coordination
On-Call Participates in clinical administrative on-call (AOC) rotation including assigned weekdays and weekends
Coverage Focus Supports off-shift, evening, and weekend hospice operations

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

The position supports patients and families receiving hospice care in the community, with emphasis on continuity during periods when regular daytime staffing is not present.

Patient Type Individuals enrolled in hospice services
Care Context Home and community-based hospice settings
Clinical Needs Symptom management and complex care situations arising off-shift
Support Scope Patients and families navigating end-of-life care transitions

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The clinical core of this role centers on ensuring high-quality hospice care continuity through leadership of CNA teams and off-shift operations, with particular attention to symptom control and seamless transitions into hospice services.

Symptom Management Support Clinical guidance for complex symptom and care situations during off-shift hours
Admission & Transition Coordination Facilitation of hospice admissions, hospital discharges, and urgent referrals
Quality & Compliance Oversight Chart reviews, quality audits, and joint visits to uphold hospice standards
CNA & Off-Shift Clinical Leadership Direction and mentoring of CNA and after-hours clinical teams

Role Highlights

This position combines CNA team leadership with dedicated responsibility for off-shift hospice operations, creating a distinct operational and clinical leadership scope.

  • Dedicated focus on CNA coaching and off-shift clinical staffing continuity
  • Primary accountability for after-hours admissions, urgent referrals, and coverage coordination
  • Serves as the key clinical resource for complex situations arising outside standard daytime hours
  • Integrates operational leadership with quality auditing and performance management responsibilities

About Northern Illinois Hospice

Northern Illinois Hospice is a nonprofit, community-based hospice organization founded in 1979 in Rockford. It was the first hospice provider in the region and remains dedicated to serving patients and families across northern Illinois.

Founded 1979
Organization Type Nonprofit community hospice
Headquarters 4751 Harrison Avenue, Rockford, IL
Service Area Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson, DeKalb, Ogle, and western McHenry counties
Accreditation Joint Commission accredited

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this role involve direct patient care or is it primarily supervisory?
The position is a clinical leadership role focused on coaching CNAs, supporting off-shift staff, coordinating admissions and referrals, and serving as a resource for complex care situations. It includes joint visits and quality activities rather than a primary caseload of bedside care.
How often is the clinical administrative on-call rotation?
The role participates in the scheduled clinical administrative on-call (AOC) rotation that includes assigned weekdays and weekends, and may serve as backup support as needed.
Is hospice experience required or preferred?
A minimum of five years of nursing experience is required. Hospice or home health experience is preferred but not mandatory.
What does the CHPN preference mean for new hires?
CHPN certification is preferred. If not already held, it is expected to be obtained within two years of starting in the role.
Will the 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. schedule remain fixed?
Core hours are listed as Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., though the posting notes that hours may change based on business needs. The position is salary-exempt and includes coordination work outside those core hours.
Is reliable transportation required for this position?
Yes. A valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and reliable transportation are required for the role.

Clinical Team Lead - CNA & Off Shift Operations in Rockford, IL

Northern Illinois Hospice is hiring a Clinical Team Lead focused on CNA leadership and off-shift operations in Rockford, Illinois. This full-time, salary-exempt RN role oversees staffing and coverage for evenings, weekends, and after-hours hospice activity while coaching CNAs and supporting clinical staff. The position coordinates admissions, hospital discharges, and urgent referrals, acts as a clinical resource for symptom management and complex situations, and performs chart reviews, quality audits, and joint visits. Candidates need an active Illinois RN license, at least five years of nursing experience, and preferably hospice or home health background, with CHPN preferred or attainable within two years. Core hours run Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with participation in the clinical administrative on-call rotation. Base salary ranges from $91,600 to $132,732 annually, accompanied by medical, dental, vision, HSA, life and disability coverage, 401(k) match, and progressive PTO. The organization, founded in 1979 as the region’s first hospice, serves patients and families across multiple northern Illinois counties from its Rockford base. This leadership opportunity combines operational responsibility for continuous hospice coverage with direct mentoring of CNA and off-shift teams.

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