Admissions Nurse

Job Summary

The Admissions RN is responsible for the coordination of patient information in conjunction with the Admissions Coordinator and Admissions Team.  The Admissions RN meets directly with referred patients to provide a comprehensive assessment of their clinical findings to the Chief Medical Officer and Hospice Medical Director for certification and admission to the hospice program or rejection from the hospice program.  Once a verbal certification of the patient has been received from the Hospice Medical Director, the Admissions RN coordinates all aspects of the admission including durable medical equipment, patient care supplies, and medications related to their hospice prognosis.  The Admissions RN then inputs data into the patient’s hospice medical record and communicates their findings to the assigned hospice team for continuity of care.  When available and necessary, the Admissions RN works as part of the clinical team to provide overflow nursing visits and emergency nursing visits when other nursing staff is unavailable. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Specific to Position:

1. Visits potential patients to review and collect data for hospice admission.  Reports findings directly to the Chief Medical Officer and/or Hospice Physician for verbal certification of hospice admission or refusal of hospice admission.  Requests additional history and physical when necessary to assist the physician in making the final certification determination.
2. Gathers, reports and analyzes patient care data to create a comprehensive patient assessment and reports findings to the Hospice Medical Director for verbal certification of patient admission or refusal of admission.
3. Immediately reports significant condition issues/safety issues to the Hospice Medical Director, the Director of Nursing and assigned interdisciplinary team.
4. Communicates findings to the patients chosen Attending Physician and the hospice team.
5. Appropriately educates patient, family and caregiver about hospice services.
6. Assures that the nursing portion of the initial Plan of Care is based on a comprehensive review of the patient’s physical, psychosocial and residential surroundings. 
7. Ensures that the initial assessment includes a review of the patient’s pain and symptoms, history of interventions and response, and pertinent knowledge base of the patient, family and caregiver.
8. Communicates patient findings to the assigned RN Case Manager and interdisciplinary team.  Works with the Director of Nursing or designee to ensure that the appropriate aide needs of each patient are met on admission.
9. Able to effectively explain the hospice benefit to potential patients, their families and representatives.
10. Works with patients and families or caregivers upon admission to create a realistic Plan of Care and set of treatment goals.
11. Supervises and delegates duties to Certified Nurse Aides and Licensed Vocational Nurses when needed.
12. Anticipates overall care needs of newly admitted patients as much as possible and coordinates with all hospice disciplines.
13. Ensures that all regulatory standards for State, Federal and CHAP are met.
14. Coordinates the development of the Initial Plan of Care with the Interdisciplinary team members.
15. Presents new patient admissions at Interdisciplinary Team meetings, when available.  Otherwise, ensures that patient data is properly communicated to the assigned RN Case Manager or Director of Nursing so that proper report is given.
16. Assesses and address depression and fear associates with terminal illness
17. Facilitates communication among patient, family and hospice team
18. Provides referral to community services and resources as needed
19. Identifies caregiver strain which may necessitate respite care relief and/or support
20. Provides personal care as assigned by the Interdisciplinary Team, Hospice Physician, Director of Nursing, which may consist of but not limited to:
    1. Patient Admissions
    2. Nursing Assessment/reassessment
    3. Medication management and administration and teaching
    4. Provides comfort measures
    5. Insertion/maintenance/removal of Foley catheters
    6. Insertion/maintenance/removal of various IV catheters for pain control/comfort
    7. Application/adjustment of oxygen, IV, NG, G-Tube and other invasive lines as ordered by the physician.
    8. Vital signs (B/P, T, P ,R)
    9. Assist with ambulation/transfers
    10. Follows the State of Oregon Nurse Practice Act during all patient care activities
    11. Follow policy and Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice for clinical care.
21. Maintains a positive, compassionate and credible image during patient assessments and with referral sources.
22. When available, works with the Director of Nursing to assist with overflow patient visits and emergency patient visits when no other nursing staff is available.
23. Creates opportunities for new referrals and referral relationships when representing the company in the community.
24. Supports the philosophy, objectives and mission of BeLoved Hospice.
25. Maintains professional competency and licensure.
26. Works well both independently and within the Interdisciplinary Team structure.
27. Able to work with minimal supervision but seeks guidance from a supervisor when needed.
28. Promotes a team approach through cooperation, mutual respect, flexibility and dependability.
29. Maintains flexibility to complete after-hours, weekend and holiday admission assignments, when needed.
30. Other duties as assigned.

Physical/Safety Requirements:

1. Participates in emergency procedures, including disaster drills.
2. Operation of equipment in a safe manner and shares responsibility for communicating safety violations or unsafe practices to management.
3. Equipment Used: General office equipment (telephone, copy machine, computer, fax machine) and motor vehicles.
4. Category 1 for potential exposure to blood/bodily fluids.
5. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
6. Utilizes appropriate PPE, as needed.
7. Follow the designated plan of action in the event of a fire or other emergency/disaster/
8. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
9. Must have the strength and endurance required for sitting for lengthy periods of time.
10. Must possess sight/hearing/speech senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position are fully met.
11. Use appropriate body mechanics as needed for personal use.
12. Utilize appropriate basic office equipment.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job.

1. Must be currently licensed and in good standing as a Registered Nurse in the State of Oregon.
2. Prefer one year experience as a registered nurse in hospice, home health or geriatric care.
3. Ability to effectively explain the hospice benefit to a patient or patient representative.
4. Must be currently licensed and in good standing as a Registered Nurse in the State of Oregon.
5. Prefer one year experience as a registered nurse in hospice, home health or geriatric care.
6. Ability to effectively explain the hospice benefit to a patient or patient representative.
7. Must have reliable transportation and maintain auto insurance.
8. Must have BLS (Basic Life Support) Certification
9. Successful completion of background check pursuant to ORS 181A.195.
10. Read, write and understand the English language.
11. Must be able to handle frequent interruptions, problem solve, and have exceptional follow through skills. 
12. Must be able to cope with emotionally charged situations encompassing patients, families, caregivers, and team members.

Benefits

• Group Health Plan Medical Coverage, Dental, and Vision
• Employee Assistance Program, Life & AD&D Insurance at no cost to you
• Supplemental health benefits such as hospital confinement, accident insurance, and more
• 401(k) with employer match
• Mileage reimbursement
• Education reimbursement opportunities 
• Eight Paid Holidays
• PTO accrual of 120 hours per year
• Free Gym Membership
• KATANA safety device and support 
• and more