Registered Nurse - Admissions

Job Description Summary

The admissions nurse orients and admits patients and families to hospice services, assesses needs, and plans and

coordinates care in order to meet the end of life care needs of individuals and families in their homes and

communities.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

1. Ensures comfortable transition of patient to hospice care by providing hospice education and orientation,

patient education in disease process and preparation for end of life home care needs, plan of care initiation, and

coordination of care with multiple hospice and non-hospice service providers.

1. Reviews available medical records and completes initial assessment of patient to determine hospice

appropriateness per Medicare guidelines. Requests additional documentation and information as needed.

1. Documents complete history and physical assessment.
2. Develops a care plan based on patient and family end of life goals, using nursing diagnoses and incorporating

palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient, family and when appropriate community providers such as facility

staff, in the planning process.

1. Initiates at the time of admission those preventative and palliative nursing procedures needed for patient

comfort, safety and quality of life. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician.

Documents response to interventions administered on admission as part of initial assessment.

1. Arranges for needed delivery of supplies, equipment and medications.

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Communication

1. Confers with hospice Medical Director to ensure hospice appropriateness. Communicates with patient PCP

regarding hospice admission, patient condition and initial plan of care. Requests and receives new orders as

needed for patient comfort.

1. Provides report to hospice on call team regarding new admission. Reports to Case Manager and other

members of IDG to ensure prompt initiation of POC.

1. Communicates with patient and family clearly, with respect, and in a manner that promotes patient dignity.

Uses culturally competent communication that respectful of diverse communities.

1. Uses therapeutic listening and communication techniques with patient and family. Teaches self-care

techniques to patient and family as appropriate.

1. Carefully guards patient right to privacy in accordance with values of respect dignity and HIPPA.
2. Attends interdisciplinary group meetings as possible.

Additional Duties

1. Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional

knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-services classes.

1. Participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.

Position Qualifications

1. Registered nurse with current licensure to practice professional nursing in the state.
2. Graduate of National League for Nursing accredited school of nursing.
3. Maintains a current CPR certification.
4. Current valid driver's license and current insurance.
5. Minimum of two years experience, at least one of which is in the area of public health, home care, or hospice

nursing is preferred.

1. Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision.
2. Management experience not required. Responsible for supervising hospice aides.
3. Demonstrates excellent observation, problem solving, verbal and written communications; nursing skills per

competency checklist.

1. Shows ability to organize and prioritize workload independently.
2. Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift, position, and/or transfer patients. Able to lift

supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and/or crouching. Visual acuity and

hearing to perform required nursing skills.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Is a full time employee within the geographic area of service. Registered nurse with current State Employment

license. BSN preferred. Two year supervisory experienced preferred. Must have good knowledge of hospice

Medicare, Medicaid, State and Federal guidelines. Demonstrated ability to supervise and motivate employees.

Continuing Education Requirements: Organization personnel are expected to participate in appropriate

continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. This position requires a

minimum of 8 education hours. In addition, organization personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility

for other educational activities to enhance job related skills and abilities. All personnel must attend mandatory

educational programs.

Environmental and Working Conditions

Environmental Conditions: May be exposed to extremes of heat and cold in all weather conditions. May

be required to drive in various weather conditions on roads in varying degrees of repair.

Working Conditions: May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases. Contact with patients

under wide variety of circumstances. May be exposed or occasionally exposed to patient elements. Subject to

varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations. Travel is required.

OSHA Exposure Category: Category I Position includes tasks that involve exposure to blood,

body fluids, tissues.

Required Personnel Protective

Equipment: As required by working conditions.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and does not constitute a written or implied contract of

employment. The employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by their

immediate supervisor and/or other management personnel.

The employee will participate and adhere to ALL guidelines contained in the company's compliance

program.