Access Registered Nurse (RN)

Access Registered Nurse (RN)

The Access Registered Nurse (RN) serves as a member of the access team to coordinate inquiries, referrals and admission of patients to hospice care for both home base and in-patient facilities. He/she interfaces with discharge planners, physicians, and staff nurses at contracted facilities, evaluates and assists in the intake process, and may provide care for General Inpatient (GIP) hospice patients at contracted hospitals.

Qualifications:

Education: Graduation from an accredited nursing school.

Experience: A minimum of one year experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) in a hospital, home health agency, hospice, or related program.

Licensure: Licensed as an Registered Nurse (RN) in Arkansas.

Additional Requirements: Valid Arkansas driver's license, car, car insurance.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Serves as a resource for information and support to referred patients, families and referral sources concerning potential hospice care.
2. Follows appropriate referral intake process when taking referrals.
3. Evaluates information received from referral source and assesses patient for eligibility for hospice services, appropriate levels of care, and requests additional information as needed.
4. Ensures timely transfer of all admission information to appropriate team members.
5. Completes admission process and required documentation in an accurate and timely manner, in the electronic health record.
6. Assesses family and caregiver(s) for response and acceptance of hospice concept. Provides accurate information regarding services and expectations for care.
7. Collaborates with physician and other team members to assist in their understanding of significant emotional and environmental factors related to the patient/family system, identified during admission process.
8. Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team when assigned to follow GIP level patients receiving care in contracted hospitals.
9. Assists in documentation of changes in patient condition and/or plan of care, as needed.
10. Actively participates and manages follow up calls/visits as per process.
11. Performs on call duties as needed.
12. Provides palliative and supportive casework to address patient/family financial and emotional issues by completing assessment of patient for admission to Arkansas Hospice.
13. Actively serves as a patient/family advocate.
14. Facilitates transfer of patients to point of service locations, or continues to follow assigned patients receiving care in a contracted hospital.
15. Assists patient, family, and caregiver in coping with issues related to death and dying and utilizing community resources.
16. Promotes effective written and verbal communication with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, and other healthcare providers.
17. Provides education on hospice and hospice care for patients/families, referral sources and community.
18. Demonstrates familiarity with policies of Arkansas Hospice and rules and regulations of state and federal agencies, which aid in determining patient appropriateness for hospice care services and level of care.
19. Develops and maintains contact with appropriate community agencies and services in order to promote interagency cooperation and to facilitate related referrals.
20. Actively participates in QAPI program.
21. Maintains strict confidentiality at all times.
22. Utilizes and models excellent customer service skills at all times; seeks opportunities to assist patients, families and co-workers; demonstrates teamwork and cooperation.
23. Accepts direction and follows instructions from supervisor; seeks additional information as needed; works with minimal supervision.
24. Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
25. Continually meets organizational standards for attendance and punctuality; notifies supervisor in a timely manner when employee will be absent or late for work.
26. Attends all required meetings and in-services; seeks opportunities for additional professional development activities as appropriate.
27. Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of palliative care with emphasis on symptom control associated with terminal illness.
2. Knowledge of the holistic approach toward patient care and the nursing process as it applies to hospice patients and families.
3. Knowledge and acceptance of hospice philosophy and principles of care.
4. Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
5. Ability to recognize both positive and negative aspects of death and grief.
6. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
7. Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and other customers.
8. Ability to follow basic safety policies and procedures.
9. Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information.
10. Ability to work as a team player.
11. Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication.
12. Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
13. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

This position is designated as a safety sensitive position because it requires the regular handling of confidential and/or proprietary Arkansas Hospice and patient information, performing life-threatening procedures, monitoring and/or operating equipment used to perform medical procedures, and/or working with controlled substances and/or medicine. Any lapse of attention could have a significant impact on Arkansas Hospice and/or its patients, and could result in injury, illness, or death. For the safety and health of yourself and others, you must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and concentrate for long periods of time while performing life-threatening procedures, monitoring and/or operating equipment used to perform medical procedures, and/or working with controlled substances and/or medicine.