Admissions Nurse

Description

Job Title: Admissions Nurse

Location: Skilled Nursing

Department: Nursing

Reports to: Unit Manager/ADON

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Summary:

We are seeking a licensed LPN or RN to support our admissions process by providing clinical review and coordination for prospective residents. This position plays an important role in reviewing referrals, medical information, medications, diagnoses, physician orders, and payer requirements to help determine whether the facility can safely and appropriately meet a resident’s needs. The Clinical Admissions Nurse works closely with the Admissions Director, Director of Nursing, physicians, referral sources, Business Office, and interdisciplinary team to ensure a smooth and timely admissions process. The ideal candidate is organized, clinically knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and comfortable communicating with healthcare professionals while balancing resident needs, regulatory requirements, and facility capabilities.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Participates in an open and collaborative relationship between the business office and the admissions office, both working toward shared facility goals for occupancy and collections.
• Performs duties daily in the admissions office as assigned by the Admissions Director to facilitate the conversion of referrals to admission status. Knows at all times, the status of each referral.
• Communicates with external team members regarding referral status and any additional information needed to assist with the admission decision.
• Reviews referrals for medical approval and communicates findings to the Admissions Director for decision.
• Consults with the Director of Nursing regarding facility capabilities as needed based on the most recent Facility Assessment.
• Reviews medications on referrals and performs an analysis regarding availability of medications and clinical capabilities of nursing staff based on the most recent Facility Assessment.
• Consults with the Director of Nursing to assist with the admission decision as needed.
• Transcribes physician’s orders and queries the physician as needed to ensure accuracy of resident medical information prior to admitting the resident.
• Reviews and evaluates resident diagnoses and overall condition related to Medicare part A criteria for skilled coverage as well as related to Medicaid medical eligibility criteria for long term care placement prior to admitting the resident.
• Maintains working knowledge of Medicare Part A skilled coverage guidelines and Medicaid medical eligibility criteria for long term care residents.
• Assists with processing referrals timely on a daily basis as assigned by the Admissions Director.
• Identifies and documents primary and other diagnoses codes for all admissions and readmissions in the medical record based on a review of the available medical information.
• Maintains working knowledge of the ICD-10 CM coding process and is competent in the use of the ICD-10 CM coding manual.
• Maintains a working knowledge of the Patient Driven Payment Model related to primary diagnosis and the clinical mapping for payment categorization.
• Is cross-trained in all functions performed by the Admissions Coordinator and performs duties as needed or assigned by the Admissions Director.
• Knows, at all times, which payment entities require prior authorization for payment and secures prior authorization when required.
• Maintains working knowledge of facility’s practices related to all pay status types such as other insurances, Medicare A, Medicaid, Private, Veteran’s Administration contracts, and hospital contracts, etc.
• May at times be required to complete mental health screenings as required by federal and state regulations prior to admission.
• Maintains working knowledge of facility’s practices related to all pay status types such as other insurances, Medicare A, Medicaid, Private, Veteran’s Administration contracts, and hospital contracts, etc.
• Behaves in a manner aligned with facility goals for occupancy and customer service.
• Informs the Admissions Director of obstacles or barriers to admitting residents and recommends solutions to such obstacles and barriers.
• Communicates with interdisciplinary team members timely regarding clinical needs such as equipment, medications, etc. for pending admissions.
• Demonstrates interpersonal relationship skills by developing and maintaining trust with coworkers.
• Speaks effectively with physicians when necessary to clarify medical information Participates in facility assessment activities as needed, such as carrying out duties assigned as part of a performance improvement committee.
• Collaborates with members of the interdisciplinary team, physicians, consultants, and community agencies to identify and resolve issues that improve the admissions process.
• Promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication.
• Participates in the facility’s plan of correction response to an inspection survey and implements any follow-up as designated by the Administrator or Director of Nursing.
• Promotes safe work practices, safety rules, and accident prevention procedures to prevent employee injury and illness.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• This position supervises and manages the CNA’s while they are on duty. Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; labor management, scheduling, planning, assigning and directing work; receiving calls and finding replacements for absent staff; preparing performance evaluations; receiving and resolving employee complaints; monitoring and correcting job performance of employees; and disciplining employees up to and including discharge. This will be done in coordination with nursing management.
• All employees are expected to lead by example, demonstrate professionalism, support their supervisors and leadership team, and contribute positively to the success of the team and organization.

Requirements

Required/Desired Qualifications:

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Must possess a current unencumbered state license as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.
• CPR certification required.
• One year of professional nursing experience in the long-term care setting.
• Knowledge of applicable state nursing regulations preferred.

Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Other Special Requirements:

• Ability to work nights and weekends to accommodate the needs of the residents.
• Tolerate potential exposure to blood, body tissues, and fluids with occasional exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases.?
• Manual dexterity that is required to operate modern office equipment.
• Ability to travel as needed or assigned.