Job Posting
Position: RN - Nurse Educator and Palliative Liaison
Status: Full Time
Location: Windsor with flexibility to Erie Shores (Leamington)
Reports to: Palliative Medicine Program Manager
Start Date: September 2026
We ask that interested candidates please submit their applications by 9:00am on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
ABOUT THE HOSPICE OF WINDSOR-ESSEX COUNTY
Founded to provide compassionate, clinical, end-of-life care, The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. (Hospice) has been caring for our community since 1979. Hospice believes in equitable access to care for all. We provide specialized wrap-around services to adults, children, and their caregivers, in the setting of their choice – whether it be in our Residences or in their home.
With only partial government funding, it has been through the generous support of our volunteers and our community that we have continued to provide memorable care, meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones.
ROLE OVERVIEW
This role will appeal to a caring and compassionate individual who values palliative care and who is eager to support the Hospice organization and our collaborative team. The RN – Nurse Educator and Palliative Liaison is dedicated to Hospice’s vision, mission, and values, and will support and work towards achieving the strategic directions set out by the Board of Directors. They will put their best efforts forward to promote the interests of our patients as well as contribute to a positive work culture.
The RN – Nurse Educator and Palliative Liaison works as part of a multi-disciplinary supportive care team providing education and pain and symptom management consultation for patients, their caregivers, community agencies, hospitals, staff and volunteers. This position works in partnership with Windsor Regional Hospital, Erie Shores HealthCare and Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare by facilitating a seamless transition of patients with advanced life-threatening illness from the hospital setting to the patients’ desired palliative care setting (home, Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare palliative beds, Hospice residence in Erie Shores or Windsor), or an alternate level of care setting.
The philosophy of care is a holistic approach that encompasses the physical, emotional, psychological, social, practical and spiritual needs of the individual including end of life, death management, grief and bereavement. Services are provided in home, hospital, the Hospice Residences in Windsor and Erie Shores, and other locations, as requested. This position entails on call support to ensure 24/7 coverage for our community patients and the Windsor and Erie Shores Residences.
This position will be part of the Palliative Medicine Program (PMP) team, with the flexibility of working out of either the Windsor or Erie Shores Campus, or a hospital setting as required by the manager or designate.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
PMP Community Support:
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Complete and/or receive nursing assessments in order to provide consultation on pain and symptom management issues.
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Make appropriate referrals and facilitate the safe transition of patients or caregivers to other Hospice services, community service providers and social service providers.
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Monitor ongoing pain and symptom management issues through consultation with patient and caregivers and mentorship with community nurses.
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Act as a community liaison to obtain reports/updates from patients, family members and community partners and follow-ups as required.
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Accompany the Palliative Physician or psychosocial team on home visits and provide follow-ups as required.
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Conduct nursing home visits independently as required.
In-Hospital Palliative Liaison:
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Collaborate with inpatient hospital teams to develop a plan of care for transitioning the patient with an advance life-threatening illness into community palliative care, or alternative level of care supports and services.
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Collaborate with patient flow leads, physicians, Ontario Health Care Coordinators; including direct liaison with hospital-based Care Coordinators, to communicate the Hospice plans for support and services after discharge.
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Collaborate with Hospice interdisciplinary team for service and care coordination.
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Report directly to the PMP Manager, Residence Managers, hospital or community partners any changes in the condition of patients being transitioned to another service. This includes changes to the discharge plan or services to be implemented, and prioritization of services to be implemented.
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Identify goals and objectives for patient care management that are clearly defined, measured, analyzed and addressed.
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Attend care management rounds and bed utilization opportunities that result in a plan of care for discharge and actively seeks to facilitate timely, seamless transitions in care.
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Review and understand relevant hospital data to determine system flow and bed utilization, and prioritizes discharges or transfers during times when hospital approaches or reaches capacity.
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Monitor for hospital admissions of Hospice community patients and provide ongoing support throughout their admission. Provide occasional updates to the Hospice team and physicians regarding discharge plans for these patients.
Referral Intake:
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Collaborate with community partners to ensure the intake of new referrals is navigated to the most appropriate service provider. This may include intake of referrals for Hospice as well as other palliative care service providers.
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Complete a thorough review and accurately prioritize all referrals to ensure timely access to appropriate services.
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Accurately document the referral status, prioritization and relevant patient information in the health record.
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Facilitate appropriate communication to ensure the seamless transition of patients to other health care providers.
Other Responsibilities:
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Participate in program development initiatives to meet departmental goals and targets.
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Participate in after-hours “on-call” rotation covering triage calls during the week and on week-end and/or participate in weekend on-call rotation covering Hospice Residences as the designated “mentor/leader on call,” to facilitate admissions and to cover staffing needs.
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Provide coverage as a front-line nurse at the Hospice Residences in Windsor and Erie Shores as required.
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Facilitate best practices within the organization and supports front line staff and managers.
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Completes all required documentation on a daily basis including statistical reports. Documents ongoing updates and provides recommendations for updated data collection needs and performance targets.
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Provides education/information sessions for patients, caregivers, community service providers, Hospice and hospital staff including information to promote knowledge about Hospice programs and services, referral process, community supports, and palliative and end of life care. Education may be provided on a 1: 1 or groups basis depending on the need of the individual or organization.
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Participates in meetings, care conferences/rounds, etc. for the purpose of coordinating services and education and/or professional development
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Acts as a Mentor for frontline staff, students, medical students, residents and fellows.
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Other responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time by the Manager, Director or Executive Director
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization
KEY RELATIONSHIPS & INTERACTIONS
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Patients, families, and caregivers
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Palliative Physicians
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Clinical Managers (PMP, Hospice Residences) and Director
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Psychosocial Services (Social Work, Spiritual Care) and Manager
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Clinical Administrative Assistants
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Hospital Representatives
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Community Agencies (Nursing, PSW)
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Pharmacy
ACCOUNTABILITIES
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Accountable to the Palliative Medicine Program Manager and the Director of Clinical Services and Informatics.
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Accountable for performing in adherence to the Hospice Mission, Vision and Values.
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Accountable for adhering to the Hospice Policies, professional behavior and for ensuring review of such as required.
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Accountable to maintain clinical competence through continuing education and required reflective practice protocols as established by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
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Accountable to submit annually to Human Resources proof of current certificate of competence registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario.
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Accountable to the College of Nurses Ontario.
WHAT WE OFFER
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Hourly pay: $36.45 - $45.84 per hour
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Pension: Hospice is a proud member of The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP). Available for enrollment for all staff (mandatory for full-time employees).
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Benefits: Extended health and dental benefits available with 100% employer-paid premiums.
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Education Endowment: Funding available to support continuing education and professional development opportunities.
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Paid Time Off: Employees receive a minimum of three (3) weeks of paid vacation annually.
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Paid Sick/Personal Emergency Leave: Full-time employees are provided with ten (10) paid personal emergency leave days per year.
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Flexible Schedule: We support flexible scheduling to help promote a healthy work-life balance.
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Health Spending Account: Permanent full-time staff receive a $500 annual Health Spending Account.
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Hospice Apparel: Employees receive a gift card to purchase Hospice-branded apparel.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
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TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
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Legally entitled to work in Canada.
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Computer proficiency or willingness to learn agency computer programs (including Oracle EMR and Microsoft platform).
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Excellent oral, written and telephone communication skills.
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Possesses a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.
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Is willing to work a non-traditional and flexible schedule and travel within Windsor and Essex County to accommodate assigned roles and responsibilities.
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Demonstrates ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
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French language skills are an asset.
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Evidence of a Vulnerable Police Clearance completed within the past six (6) months.
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EXPERIENCE
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At least three (3) years’ experience in the field of community palliative care, end of life care, or oncology nursing.
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Experience in chronic disease and/or geriatrics is an asset.
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Community nursing experience or knowledge of community agencies an asset.
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EDUCATION
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Registered Nursing license and current certificate of competence from the College of Nurses of Ontario.
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) preferred.
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Certificate in the Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care and Comprehensive Advanced Palliative Care Education is required.
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Certificate in Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative End of Life Care (LEAP) is required or must be completed as assigned after hire.
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Canadian Nurses Association certificate for Hospice Palliative Care Nursing is required or must be completed as assigned after hire.
We thank all applicants for their interest; only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Hospice throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.
NOTE: This posting is being advertised to fill a current vacancy within the organization.
