Hospice RN Admissions

Job Title/Position: Admission RN

Reports To: Clinical Director

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Admission RN plans, organizes and directs hospice care and is experienced innursing, with emphasis on community health education/experience. The professional nursebuilds from the resources of the community to plan and direct services to meet the needs ofindividuals and families within their homes and communities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Care

• 1. Completes an initial, comprehensive and ongoing comprehensive assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs. Provides a complete physical assessment andhistory of current and previous illness(es).
• 2. Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of the nursing process.
• 3. Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by: A. Writing and initiating plan of care B. Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs C. Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary
• 4. Initiates the plan of care and makes necessary revisions as patient status and needschange.
• 5. Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.
• 6. Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporatespalliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and the family in the planning process.
• 7. Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administersmedications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan ofcare.
• 8. Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.
• 9. Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan.
• 10. Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts towardself-sufficiency and optional comfort care.
• 11. Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Supervisor and assumes responsibility tocoordinate patient care for assignedcaseload.

Communication

• 1. Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’scondition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes asappropriate.
• 2. Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in thepatient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders asrequired.
• 3. Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.
• 4. Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Providesmedication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes andutilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers. Works inconcert with the interdisciplinary group.
• 5. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
• 6. Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity ofcare.

Additional Duties

• 1. Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and servicesare available.
• 2. Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgradesprofessional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participationin continuing education and inservice classes.
• 3. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.
• 4. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.