Admissions Nurse RN

Admissions Nurse RNThe Admissions Nurse (AN) is a member of the Admissions & Intake team responsible for the appropriate and efficient admission of patients to hospice care. The AN collaborates with the Admissions Manager, Intake Manager, the Clinical Team and the Intake Department to facilitate the referral and admission of hospice patients. The AN has expertise related to hospice eligibility and sign and symptom management related to end of life care. This position works cooperatively across teams to ensure optimal utilization of staffing resources for timely admissions.Essential ResponsibilitiesReferral SourcesEstablishes and maintains positive relationships with all referral sourcesDevelops and maintains effective working relationships with referring physiciansProvides accurate information regarding the Hospice Medicare Benefit including covered hospice services & funding.Communicates with patients, families, and co-workers in a professional and sensitive mannerUnderstand hospice eligibility, local coverage determinations, and can assesses for hospice appropriateness related to prognosis and philosophical alignmentRepresents admissions at agency meetings as requestedObtains documentation supporting prognosis of < 6 months ensuring inclusion in the patient's electronic medical record (EMR).Determines patient needs & coordinates care appropriately. This can include transportation, delivery of equipment (DME), supplies and medications required to initiate hospice care.Confers with Admissions Manager, Director of Nursing or Chief Clinical Officer for potential risk factors that may delay an admission or ongoing service.Confers with Intake Staff regarding admission scheduling and assignmentMeets department standards for timely admissionInformation/Admission VisitsMeets with patients & families in all settings to explain services, answer questions and admit patient as appropriateCompletes evaluation and admission assessmentsMeets with patients & families to discuss difficult treatment and/or symptom management issues to facilitate the admission processDevelops an individualized, interdisciplinary Plans of Care for patients and familiesKnows how to present the Hospice Medicare benefit to patients and families. for effective use of time and resourcesUses electronic medical record (EMR) systems effectively and efficiently to complete required documentation in a variety of patient care settingsIntroduces the use of electronic charting to patients and families and sets the stage for an effective interaction, building patient/family comfort and confidence with the EMR.Completes informational visits, admission visits and documentation per HSCC standardsPatient CareCo-manages patients admitted to service in active decline as neededAssists in the provision of case-management & nursing care to support patients as neededDemonstrates knowledge of all levels of care including the General Inpatient level of care, HSCC's standard of practice, and assists in the provision of GIP care as needed.SystemsParticipates in the development and maintenance of systems for improving department operations and analysis as directed by Admissions Manager.Performs other related job duties as assigned by SupervisorComplianceEnsures all HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and all other regulatory/compliance requirements are understood and followedSubmits verification of current RN licenseSubmits proof of auto insurance annually; keeps drivers license current and maintains a good driving recordEnsures TB checks are completed in a timely manner; at least annuallyRequirementsEducation/ExperienceDegree in Nursing from an accredited collegeMinimum of 3 years experience as an RN1 year minimum of Acute care experienceHospice and/or home health experience preferredEnd-of-life and pain management experience preferredBilingual in English/Spanish preferredSkills RequiredCritical thinking and ability to function both independently and as a member of the Admissions teamCompetence using electronic medical records programsAbility to build and maintain strong supportive relationships with referral accounts, co-workers, and supervisors.Knowledge of Hospice eligibility requirements preferredCertifications, Licenses, RegistrationsActive California RN LicenseCurrent California Driver's LicenseCertification as Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) preferredELNEC training preferredPass OIG/GSA review and all required background checksPhysical DemandsAbility to provide patient care that involves assisting with lifting, repositioning, moving patients and includes bending, reaching and twistingAbility to travel to patient locations; includes ability to drive, negotiate stairs and walkways including uneven surfaces at private homes or facilitiesSufficient dexterity to utilize electronic record keeping systems, computers/keyboards and or laptops and other related equipmentVision ability to assess patient's health status using visual inspection and observation and to read medications, charts, calibration and monitoring devicesSpeech to verbally communicate to assess and impart information concerning patient status; to complete patient/family teaching and to interact with health care teamSensory ability to monitor, assess and address patient care needsWork Environment/Environmental ConditionPerforms services in private homes and care facilities and will experience a variety of settings and situationsOffice work is performed in typical office setting