Home Health Admission - RN | Medicare Certified Home Health

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Home Health Admission Nurse (OASIS Start of Care Only)

Job Type: Per Diem / Contract / Part-Time or Full-Time, as applicable

Reports To: Director of Nursing or Clinical Supervisor

Job Summary:

The Home Health Admission Nurse is responsible for conducting Medicare-compliant Start of Care (SOC) admissions and completing the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) in accordance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation, Illinois Department of Public Health regulations, and agency policies and procedures. This position is limited to the completion of SOC admissions and does not include ongoing skilled nursing visits, case management, recertifications, or discharge visits.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Home Health Admission Nurse completes Start of Care assessments within required CMS timeframes following referral or physician order. The nurse performs a comprehensive initial patient assessment in the patient’s place of residence to determine immediate care needs, functional status, clinical risk factors, and home safety. The nurse completes all OASIS data items accurately and ensures consistency between the clinical assessment, physician orders, and the plan of care. Medication reconciliation is performed at SOC, including identification of medication discrepancies and patient education regarding medication purpose, dosage, and potential side effects. The nurse assesses pain, fall risk, skin integrity, psychosocial status, and caregiver availability and provides patient and caregiver education related to disease processes, safety, and home health services. The nurse initiates the plan of care and communicates assessment findings, clinical concerns, and recommendations to the Director of Nursing, physician, and interdisciplinary team as required. All documentation is completed timely and accurately in the agency’s electronic medical record in compliance with CMS, IDPH, HIPAA, and agency standards.

Regulatory and Compliance Responsibilities:

The Home Health Admission Nurse ensures all Start of Care documentation supports medical necessity and skilled need and is consistent with Medicare coverage criteria. The nurse follows agency policies related to infection control, patient rights, emergency preparedness, and confidentiality. The nurse participates in quality assurance and performance improvement processes related to admission accuracy, OASIS data integrity, and survey readiness. The nurse maintains current licensure, certifications, and required competencies in accordance with CMS and Illinois regulations.

Qualifications:

An active, unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the State of Illinois is required. A minimum of one to two years of home health nursing experience with demonstrated competency in completing OASIS Start of Care assessments is required. The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of Medicare Conditions of Participation, home health coverage guidelines, and IDPH regulatory requirements. Strong clinical assessment, documentation, and communication skills are required, along with the ability to work independently in the field. Reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and current CPR certification are required.

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

The position requires travel to patient homes and the ability to perform in-home assessments in various environments. The nurse must be able to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to twenty-five pounds as necessary to safely perform patient assessments.

Work Expectations:

This role is limited exclusively to OASIS Start of Care admissions. The Home Health Admission Nurse does not provide routine skilled nursing visits, ongoing case management, recertifications, or discharge services. Work schedules are based on referral volume and agency operational needs.