Jacksonville, FL 32257 Under the direction of the Manager of Home Admissions, the Hospice Admission Registered Nurse (RN) facilitates speed to care by providing a range of preadmission and admission services. Collaborates with internal and community partners to resolve barriers to the Community Hospice admission. Provides education regarding Community Hospice services and philosophy. Collaborates with the manager, physicians, nurses and case managers to ensure the best outcome for patient, families and referral sources. Contributes to the smooth function of services, advocating for patient and family needs, coordinates care and facilitates transfer of care to appropriate team. Has an understanding of Medicare Conditions of Participation for Hospice, how insurances pay for Hospice and State Regulations that apply to Hospice admission. Provides education and information to referral sources, physicians, patients, and their families. Represents the organization in a positive professional manner understanding the importance of the first impression.
Employees assigned this job title must be willing and able to flex their work location Home and Hospital Admissions
Employees assigned this job title work as salaried employees understanding that length of work day is determined by work load. Employee must be able to flex hours as needed to meet referral and admission requests.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Promotes Community Hospice as the preferred provider of hospice care in our service area.
- Ability to “sell” the benefits of hospice care and resolve patient/family objections.
- Provides information about Community Hospice services and philosophy to patients, caregivers, physicians, and other community referral sources.
- Ability to implement Medicare Local Coverage Determination to assess patients for Hospice eligibility.
- Collects and communicates appropriate information to/from admission physician to determine hospice eligibility.
- Collects and communicates appropriate information from referring and consulting physicians to help determine hospice eligibility.
- Performs an initial physical assessment, identifies immediate needs, to include spiritual, functional, psychosocial and financial needs.
- Applies appropriate nursing interventions and documents concisely in electronic medical record.
- Facilitates admission to Community Hospice.
- Provides emotional support to patients and families/caregivers with compassion and empathy.
- Maintains the confidentiality of patients and families in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Assess for patient risk and safety issues per Community Hospice policies.
- Develops patient’s initial plan of care based on identified immediate needs. Obtains and communicates physician orders for medications, DME and special treatments to the care team and in the electronic medical record.
- Demonstrates knowledge of medications appropriate for end of life care, side effects and adverse interactions. Assess, communicate and obtain orders from Community Hospice physicians to ensure patient comfort.
- Arranges, coordinates, and supports needed change in level of patient care.
- Facilitates transfers from one level of care to the next based on Medicare Conditions of Participation.
- Complies with appropriate professional code of ethics in delivering services to patients and families
- Professional development of self towards resource for end of life care, with knowledge, understanding and ability to communicate Medicare Conditions of Participation, Local Coverage Determination, State of Florida Regulations and specific insurance benefits.
- Provides patients and/or family, Admissions Staff, and Community Partners consultation and information regarding Health Care Surrogate, Health Care Proxy and other Advance Directives.
- Responsible for education and mentoring of new staff members.
- Builds, develops and maintains relationships with referring physicians, area social workers, discharge planners and community agency staff in order to network and facilitate admission and placement of patients.
- Educates medical community on what are hospice appropriate referrals
- Educates medical community on the patient/family benefits of early referrals
- Cultivates, develops and enhances existing relationships with physicians, hospital, nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Assists in providing in-service programs or public relations activities.
- Represents Community Hospice professionally at all times through care and/or services provided to all clients
- Complies with Community Hospice policies, procedures and standard practices.
- Uses resources in a fiscally responsible manner
- Demonstrates awareness of and abides by universal precautions
- Promotes Community Hospice through participation in community and professional organizations
- Seeks opportunities to improve one’s own professional knowledge and skill level
- All other duties as assigned.
Required Licenses/Certifications:
- Current licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Florida.
- Current CPR certification.
- Current State of Florida driver’s license with driving record acceptable to Community Hospice insurance carrier; reliable transportation.
- Level II AHCA (Agency for Healthcare Administration) Background Screening
- Certification in Hospice and Palliative Nursing a plus
Education/Experience:
- Possession of a degree from a diploma nursing program and/or two (2) year program or Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing.
- Minimum of two years’ experience in hospital or LTC setting preferred.
General Knowledge of:
- Hospice services, philosophy and admission procedures
- Advance Directives pursuant to State Regulations
- The Medicaid application process
- Community Resources
- Referral and placement protocols for Independent, Assisted and Long Term Care Facilities
- Pain and symptom control
- Principles of customer service
- Computer usage including multiple applications, electronic medical record and cell phone use.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
