Summary of Responsibilities
The Admissions Nurse works under the general direction of the Clinical Manager-Homecare and the attending physician in the provision of skilled nursing assessment, planning and care to maximize the comfort and health of patients and families. The Admissions Nurse is responsible for educating patients/families on the hospice benefit, enrolling patients into hospice services, identifying patient/family needs, communication with the assigned case manager and timely documentation of all admission paperwork. The Admissions Nurse may also function as a visiting nurse or case manager.
Reports to: Clinical Manager-Homecare
RESPONSIBILITIES & FUNCTIONS:
Admissions Nurse
- Provide education to patients and families specific to the hospice benefit, end of life care and symptom management.
- Initiate communication with attending physicians, other hospice staff members and other agencies as needed to coordinate optimal care and use of resources for the patient/family.
- Enroll patients into hospice services in timely manner.
- Perform physical assessment and initiate the patients plan of care for patient populations to include pediatric and adult.
- Maintain regular communication with the Clinical Manager-Homecare to review daily schedule.
- Obtain data on physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that may influence patient/family health status and incorporate data into the plan of care.
- Seek input from other team members regarding the patient’s plan of care to obtain additional knowledge and support.
- Meet regularly with hospice nursing staff to review problems or unique issues from caseloads, share professional support, and exchange feedback aimed toward enhancing professional growth.
- Attend patient conferences and facilitate discussion of issues from case load for full staff discussion, consultation, and evaluation.
- Inform the Clinical Manager-Homecare of unusual or potentially problematic patient/family issues.
- Responds to patients/families of other hospice nurses during on-call times, or as requested by the Clinical Manager-Homecare to meet patient/family needs during the absence of other hospice nurses.
- Provide appropriate support at time of death and period of bereavement.
- Take responsibility and accountability for own nursing practice, continuing education, and professional development.
General Duties
- Participate in Compass orientation and in-service training programs for professional staff.
- Participate in agency and community programs as requested to promote professional growth and understanding of hospice care.
- Demonstrate familiarity with policy & procedures of the agency and rules and regulations of State and Federal bodies which aid in determining policy & procedures.
- Maintains the confidentiality of employees, patient/client, and agency information at all times.
- Accepts and performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.
Minimum Qualifications
- RN degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.
- Possession of a current license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the State of Maryland.
- 1-2 years’ experience working in Hospice, preferred.
- Skilled in nursing practice.
- Ability to cope with family emotional stress.
- Must complete Hospice and Palliative Care Certification (HPCC) within 24 months of hire date.
Physical Qualifications
- Possesses physical ability to perform job-related duties which may require lifting, standing, bending, transferring, stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, partial or complete assistance with activities of daily living without assistance from another health care worker or significant other.
- Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing with individuals and families in end-of-life situations.
- Must be able to hear to process directions and requests from doctors, employees, patients, and other individuals.
- Must be able to use a computer and other office equipment to document patient information.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to drive to visit patients.
Work Scheduling
- Full-time Monday – Friday 8:00am -4:30pm.
- Rotate on-call coverage to provide 24/7 access for patients/families to receive symptom management and/or emotional support.
FLSA Status:
This position is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
