Description Why VITAS Healthcare and What Do They Offer Me? VITAS Healthcare is the nation’s leading provider of end of life care. We provide our employees opportunities for professional growth, advancement and competitive benefits. Salary Range: $34 - $42 / Hour Schedule: Monday- Friday 8a-5p. No On Call or weekends Palliative Care Registered Nurse (RN) supports its growing palliative care program in the southern Broward County / northern Miami-Dade County region. The selected candidate will become an integral part of a comprehensive Palliative Care Team that focuses on providing individualized, coordinated care to patients and families residing in the community. Acts as Case Manager and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload. Provides expert, individualized coordination of care to patients and families. Completes initial and on-going comprehensive physical and psychosocial assessment of the patient and family to identify needs and areas for intervention. Ensures appropriate referrals to specialists when indicated and support adherence to treatment plan, including physician visits for evaluation and on-going management. Assists patients in accessing appropriate services and resources in the community to improve their overall health and well-being. Educates patient and family to enhance understanding of disease processes and plan of care, including discussion of treatment options to ensure informed decision making. Provides emotional support and counseling to patients and their families to improve transitions, adjustment to illness and adherence to treatment plan. Evaluates the patient’s physical and emotional recovery after treatment utilizing appropriate resources as needed. Empowers patients to take control of their health care by encouraging appropriate goal-setting and discussions about advance care planning/development of advance directives. Builds relationships with other clinicians involved in the patients’ care. Promotes patient-centered approach to care. Partners with healthcare team to manage transitions of care between hospital, primary and specialty care. Facilitates proactive discharge planning or follow-up to promote better outcomes, decreased length of stay and reduced readmission rates. Protects patient rights to privacy and safeguard confidentiality when releasing patient information. All other duties as assigned. Benefits Include Competitive compensation Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance Pre-tax healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts Life insurance 401(k) plan with numerous investment options and generous company match Cancer and/or critical illness benefit Tuition Reimbursement Paid Time Off Employee Assistance Program Legal Insurance Roadside Assistance Affinity Program Qualifications Minimum 2 years’ experience as Registered Nurse 1-2 years Case Management experience. 1 year of community (home health, rehab, hospice, etc.) experience preferred. Knowledge of the interdisciplinary team concept. Experience in patient education, planning, and management desired. Exceptional communication and customer service skills. Reliable transportation, current state driver’s license and automobile insurance. Bilingual a plus. Education Bachelor’s degree preferred. Current and Valid License in the state position is based. BLS certification required EOE/AA M/F/D/V
This is a preview of the job listing. The full posting includes complete compensation details, benefits package, qualification requirements, and application instructions.
General overview for this role type — specific duties and requirements vary by employer.
Nursing roles in senior living are fundamentally different from hospital nursing. Most positions involve building long-term relationships with the same residents over months or years rather than cycling through new patients every shift. Facilities in the Houston area typically require an active Texas RN or LVN license, current CPR/BLS certification, and many prefer at least one year of geriatric or long-term care experience.
Shift patterns vary widely — some facilities run traditional 8-hour shifts (day, evening, night), while others use 12-hour rotations. Weekend and holiday coverage is almost always part of the schedule. The nurse-to-resident ratio in assisted living is generally more favorable than in hospitals, but you will likely be the highest-level clinical staff on the floor during your shift, which means more autonomy and more responsibility for clinical judgment calls.
What to Expect in This Role Day-to-Day
Based on typical senior living facilities in the Houston area.
A typical shift starts with medication pass and resident assessments. You will review overnight notes from the previous shift, check vitals for residents on your watch list, and coordinate with CNAs on any changes in condition. Mid-shift usually involves documentation, family communication, and working with physicians on care plan updates — often by phone or telehealth rather than in-person rounds.
Depending on the facility, you may also handle admissions paperwork, manage wound care, supervise medication techs, and respond to emergencies. The documentation load in senior living is significant — state surveys and compliance requirements mean thorough charting is non-negotiable. Many nurses in this setting say the most rewarding part is knowing their residents personally and being able to notice subtle changes that a rotating hospital nurse might miss.
Houston Area Salary Data
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurse positions in the Houston metro area earn a median wage of
$47.02/hr ($97,802/yr).
The typical range is $38.29 – $50.95/hr
(25th–75th percentile).
Entry Level (10th)$69,368/yr
Houston Median$97,802/yr
Experienced (90th)$125,320/yr
vs. National Median+4.5%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area).
Salary data provided by Houston Senior Living Guide.