Hospice Resource and Admissions Nurse

Description

The Hospice Admissions Nurse is responsible for facilitating the admission process for new patients, ensuring their smooth transition into hospice care, and providing high-quality nursing care. This position requires strong clinical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to delivering compassionate care to patients and their families.

Reports to: Director of Nursing or Hospice Director

Schedule: Full-Time, Weekdays, Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Conduct thorough assessments of incoming patients to gather medical history, assess current health status, and identify care needs.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to develop individualized care plans for new patients.
• Communicate effectively with patients, their families, and caregivers to provide information about the hospice admissions process, policies, and available services.
• Complete admission paperwork accurately and ensure all required documentation is obtained, including consent forms, insurance information, and medical records.
• Coordinate with other hospice disciplines, such as social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, to arrange for necessary assessments and services for new admissions.
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician, following established medication administration protocols and best practices for pain and symptom management.
• Monitor patients' vital signs, symptoms, and overall condition during the admission process and report any changes or concerns to the appropriate healthcare team members.
• Provide emotional support, comfort, and reassurance to patients and their families during the admission process, addressing any questions or concerns they may have.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements related to admission processes, documentation, and patient rights.
• Participate in team meetings to discuss patient care plans, progress, and any barriers to achieving patient goals.
• Perform all other duties assigned by the Director of Nursing or Hospice Director.

Requirements

Job Qualifications:

• Valid Registered Nurse License (RN) in the state where work is performed.
• Minimum of one year of experience in hospice, palliative care, or a related healthcare setting.
• Strong assessment and critical thinking skills, with the ability to make sound clinical judgments.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
• Commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered care with empathy and compassion.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and guidelines governing hospice care and documentation.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for home visits, as needed.

Physical Requirements:

• Work performed in a medical setting due to the need to work in person with residents and their families.
  • Ability to work in a variety of environments within the facility, including resident rooms, common areas, and administrative offices.
• Must be able to sit, stand, bend, reach, talk, hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, stretch, and twist.
• Required vision includes close, vision, distance, peripheral, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Emotional resilience and ability to cope with the physical and emotional demands of working with residents who may have complex healthcare needs.
• Stamina to stand and walk for extended periods while conducting tours, completing paperwork and assisting with resident admissions.
• Capability to assist residents and other nursing staff with mobility tasks, including transferring them from beds to wheelchairs, assisting with standing or walking, and positioning them for therapy activities.
• Maintain regular attendance and timeliness as set forth within the work schedule designated by the department supervisor/manager.
• Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
• The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
• The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.