Admissions Nurse
Hospice of Santa Cruz County
- Scotts Valley, CA
- $45.00-61.00 per hour
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Establishes and maintains positive relationships with all referral sources
- Develops and maintains effective working relationships with referring physicians
- Provides accurate information regarding the Hospice Medicare Benefit including covered hospice services & funding.
- Communicates with patients, families, and co-workers in a professional and sensitive manner
- Understand hospice eligibility, local coverage determinations, and can assesses for hospice appropriateness related to prognosis and philosophical alignment
- Represents admissions at agency meetings as requested
- Obtains documentation supporting prognosis of < 6 months ensuring inclusion in the patient's electronic medical record (EMR).
- Determines patient needs & coordinates care appropriately. This can include transportation, delivery of equipment (DME), supplies and medications required to initiate hospice care.
- Confers with Admissions Manager, Director of Nursing or Chief Clinical Officer for potential risk factors that may delay an admission or ongoing service.
- Confers with Intake Staff regarding admission scheduling and assignment
- Meets department standards for timely admission
- Meets with patients & families in all settings to explain services, answer questions and admit patient as appropriate
- Completes evaluation and admission assessments
- Meets with patients & families to discuss difficult treatment and/or symptom management issues to facilitate the admission process
- Develops an individualized, interdisciplinary Plans of Care for patients and families
- Knows how to present the Hospice Medicare benefit to patients and families. for effective use of time and resources
- Uses electronic medical record (EMR) systems effectively and efficiently to complete required documentation in a variety of patient care settings
- Introduces the use of electronic charting to patients and families and sets the stage for an effective interaction, building patient/family comfort and confidence with the EMR.
- Completes informational visits, admission visits and documentation per HSCC standards
- Co-manages patients admitted to service in active decline as needed
- Assists in the provision of case-management & nursing care to support patients as needed
- Demonstrates knowledge of all levels of care including the General Inpatient level of care, HSCC's standard of practice, and assists in the provision of GIP care as needed.
- Participates in the development and maintenance of systems for improving department operations and analysis as directed by Admissions Manager.
- Performs other related job duties as assigned by Supervisor
- Ensures all HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and all other regulatory/compliance requirements are understood and followed
- Submits verification of current RN license
- Submits proof of auto insurance annually; keeps drivers license current and maintains a good driving record
- Ensures TB checks are completed in a timely manner; at least annually
- Degree in Nursing from an accredited college
- Minimum of 3 years experience as an RN
- 1 year minimum of Acute care experience
- Hospice and/or home health experience preferred
- End-of-life and pain management experience preferred
- Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred
- Critical thinking and ability to function both independently and as a member of the Admissions team
- Competence using electronic medical records programs
- Ability to build and maintain strong supportive relationships with referral accounts, co-workers, and supervisors.
- Knowledge of Hospice eligibility requirements preferred
- Active California RN License
- Current California Driver's License
- Certification as Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) preferred
- ELNEC training preferred
- Pass OIG/GSA review and all required background checks
- Ability to provide patient care that involves assisting with lifting, repositioning, moving patients and includes bending, reaching and twisting
- Ability to travel to patient locations; includes ability to drive, negotiate stairs and walkways including uneven surfaces at private homes or facilities
- Sufficient dexterity to utilize electronic record keeping systems, computers/keyboards and or laptops and other related equipment
- Vision ability to assess patient's health status using visual inspection and observation and to read medications, charts, calibration and monitoring devices
- Speech to verbally communicate to assess and impart information concerning patient status; to complete patient/family teaching and to interact with health care team
- Sensory ability to monitor, assess and address patient care needs
- Performs services in private homes and care facilities and will experience a variety of settings and situations
- Office work is performed in typical office setting