Admissions Nurse

Description

Primary Function:


Screen Referrals for appropriateness and perform admission to facilitate the transition of the patient and family into the hospice program.

Training:


Orientation to Hospice, Home Care, Inpatient Care services and any other training that may be necessary to complete assigned duties.

Supervision: Director of Patient Access, Chief Clinical Officer

Qualifications:


1. Associate degree of nursing school diploma required. Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred. Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care preferred.

2. Licensed as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina.

3. Maintain Current valid North Carolina driver's license and maintain minimum automobile liability insurance for the duration of employment.

4. Active patient experience within the past two years; bedside nursing outside of the hospital setting is desirable.

5. Minimum of two years nursing experience is preferred. Hospice experience preferred.

6. Ability to work as a hospice team member and function efficiently in a flexible work environment.

7. Must be physically capable of providing patient care in a patient's home and various institutional settings to include supporting, moving and lifting adult patients, and lifting equipment and supplies.

8. Must be certified to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

9. Must meet immunization requirements of North Carolina and Davidson County.

Job Duties:

1. Understand and commit to the Hospice philosophy of care, including the importance of treating the patient as a whole being, physically, psychosocially and spiritually.

2. Screens referrals for medical appropriateness to Hospice Care.

3. Explains Hospice program of care and obtains signed consent for care from patient/family.

4. Completes Initial Assessment and Plan of Care and submits in accordance with HODC standards.

5. Evaluates immediate need for supplies, equipment and services. Coordinates the provision of these services.

6. Works alongside other team members to evaluate patient/family goals related to end-of-life care.

7. Works collaboratively with and is an active member of Patient Access Team.

8. Work collaboratively with the hospice interdisciplinary team to develop the individualized plan of care for each patient/family.

9. Evaluate the patient/family needs, symptoms and total condition in order to report accurately to the physicians and/or DONs in order that appropriate decisions may be made regarding patient/family care.

10. Contact the patient's primary care physician and/or Hospice Medical Director as needed regarding physician's orders for the care plan.

11. Initiate nursing procedures appropriate for the patient's care and safety.

12. Teach and counsel the patient/family about the disease process, medication management, and provision of care for the patient.


13. Supervise and train other nursing service personnel when assigned.

14. Participates in regular updates of the patients' comprehensive assessment in order to meet new needs and insure quality and continuity of care.

15. Provide hands-on nursing care to the patient and emotional support to the family as needed.

16. Participate in hospice staff meetings, interdisciplinary team conferences, staff development events and educational programs.

17. Relate professionally and courteously with patients, families, members of the Hospice of Davidson County staff and the medical community.

18. Provide on-call nursing services as assigned.

19. Participate in the Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement process and the ACHC accreditation process.

20. In emergency situations, the assessment nurse may be assigned to the Hinkle House to assist with patient care.

21. In emergency situations, may be assigned Home Care/Facility caseload as it relates to staffing/census.

22. Comply with all HODC policies and procedures, including attendance and confidentiality standards.

23. Other such responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Clinical Office and/or Director of Patient Access.

24. Abides by the North Carolina Nurse Practice Act.

25. Participates in hospice sponsored in-service training.

26. Participates on hospice committees as needed.

27. Performs job duties in accordance with all hospice policies, procedures and professional and community standards.

28. Abides by the Hospice Professional Code of Conduct.

29. Completes agency educational requirements in a timely manner (including MedTrainer).

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Vigorous. Must be able to communicate. Must be able to see, hear, smell, touch as necessary to assess patients' condition and provide direct care. Continuous standing, walking, reaching, squatting and bending. Frequent lifting of 50-100 pounds.

Status and Hours of Work:

This position is classified as exempt. Usual working hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday-Friday, or as needed to perform duties. This position is not eligible for overtime pay.

This position also has on-call responsibilities to cover liaison on-call duties as needed.

This position has the flexibility to telework as approved by the supervisor.