Admission LVN

REPORTS TO:   Director of Business Development

DEPARTMENT:  The Referral and Admission Center

SUMMARY:  Under the general direction of the Director of Business Development (DBD) and the supervision of the Manager of Business Development, the Admissions Licensed Vocational Nurse serves as an advocate for patients during the preadmission process and continuing until the patient is discharged from the medical facility or on-boarded to services. This role includes explaining hospice and palliative care benefits and services to patients and their families, to include hospice philosophy and goals. The Admissions Licensed Vocational Nurse will also obtain medical information while participating in the admission process.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Serves as liaison to nurses, patients and their families concerning hospice and palliative programs, and Medicare/Commercial payor sources.
2. Visits prospective patients/families as directed by DBD or Manager of Business Development to provide explanation of services, determine patient decisional capacity/selection of appropriate surrogate decision maker, provide information regarding hospice and palliative services, complete all intake documents and record contact summary in the clinical record.
3. Participate when appropriate in health care facility care conferences regarding specific patient consult requests.
4. Possesses a strong clinical knowledge of disease processes common to hospice care.
5. Educates eligible hospice patients and their families about the hospice philosophy, goals and services.
6. Coordinates the transition of patient from medical facility or home to hospice with the support from The Referral and Admission Center (TRAC).
7. Communicates daily with TRAC team and the Manager of Business Development.
8. Investigates and resolves patients/family and referral partner concerns regarding care, service and transfers. Follows up with any concerns with clear resolution or steps to reach resolution and documents steps taken towards resolution in writing and verbally to all parties involved. Follows appropriate regular and quality assessment and performance improvement processes and standards.
9. Responds to daily needs of local Liaisons, including facilitation of excellent communication channels between Community Liaisons and TRAC team.
10. Daily use of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) in order to chart communication notes after meeting with patients and/or family members.
11. Timely completion of administrative duties: expense reports, payroll entry, EMR reporting and other administrative tasks by required deadlines.
12. Adheres to the Community Hospice & Health Services (CHHS) Compliance Program; maintains the privacy and confidentiality of all organizational and clinical information, protects the assets of CHHS, acts with ethics and integrity, reporting non-compliance, follows all federal, state and local laws and regulations, and accreditation and licensing requirements.
13. Attends monthly staff meetings when scheduled. Participates in educational programs for staff and attends all training for position that focuses on: history and philosophy of hospice care, 

methods of hospice and palliative reimbursement, the Federal Conditions of Participation and the California Standards of Quality Hospice Care. 

1. All other duties assigned to meet the needs of the organization.
2. Follows all CHHS policies and procedures including, but not limited to: safety, infection control and privacy and confidentiality.
3. Acts as a back-up to Admission Coordinator position when needed. Processes prospective patients utilizing the information received during the referral process and requests for medical information. Enters the data into the electronic medical record (EMR) and other databases as appropriate. Logs contact and communication into the patient’s medical record.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

1. Must demonstrate exceptional presentation, verbal and written communication skills.
2. Strong commitment to teamwork and customer service both internally and externally required.
3. Must have excellent negotiation and persuasion skills.
4. Experience working in the hospice and/or healthcare industry.
5. Must be a good active listener.
6. Must have excellent computer, data entry and phone skills.
7. Must have knowledge of electronic health records.
8. Knowledge of medical terminology.
9. Must possess excellent organizational skills and be an effective time manager.
10. Demonstrates a strong commitment to the organizational goals of CHHS.
11. Ability to perform multiple tasks effectively and meet multiple deadlines under pressure.
12. Ability to prepare clear, concise and comprehensive patient reports in order to make sound recommendations on the basis of such information; recognize a potential crisis and handle a fast-paced emotional environment.
13. Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns. Follow proper reporting procedures for actual or potential accidents and/or incidents so follow-up and/or prevention can occur.
14. Ability to retain personal objectivity and empathy when dealing with serious or terminally ill patients and the problems of others.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Licensed Vocational Nurse CA professional license 
2. Minimum two (2) years of experience in scope of practice, hospice and/or palliative experience, or end of life care preferred.
3. Ability to multi-task effectively and meet various deadlines under high pressure.
4. Ability to obtain before hired a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification and complies and maintains CPR certification current.
5. Valid Driver’s License and maintenance of Automobile Insurance coverage.
6. Ability to travel within an assigned territory and communicate by cell phone when working outside of the office.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The main environment for this position is in hospitals, facilities, physician offices and patients' homes, which vary in levels of cleanliness, accessibility, and climate control. The employee may be exposed to virus, disease and infection from patients. The employee may experience situations, with emotionally disturbed, substance abuse, serious illness, and deceased patients. While performing the duties of this position, the employee will travel by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions.