JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Admissions Registered Nurse initiates and conducts hospice patient admissions and is experienced in nursing, with emphasis on community health and /or hospice education/experience. The professional nurse builds from assessments to plan and direct services to meet the needs of individual and families within their homes and communities. The Admissions RN is the initial nurse in the patient assessment process and identifies a plan to meet the patient’s immediate needs. The Admissions RN then hands off to the assigned RN Case Manager to follow with the patient/family. The Admissions RN promotes the mission, values and vision of VNA Health.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Care

1. Responsible for providing accurate, consistent and efficient admissions to hospice patients.
2. Completes an initial assessment of patient and family to determine immediate hospice care needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es). Admits to appropriate level of service/ care.
3. Develops a plan of care that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and family in the planning process.
4. Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician.
5. Accountable for assessing financial resources and eligibility under various third party payor sources, Medicare and Medi-Cal.

Communication

1. Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition. Records clinical monitoring, changes/ outcomes as appropriate.
2. Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports any changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians orders as required for the admission process.
3. Works in cooperation with the family/ caregiver and hospice Interdisciplinary Team Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/ caregiver.
4. Provides a complete and succinct hand-off report to RN Case Manager assigned to the patient and to the on-call staff, as appropriate.

Additional Duties

1. Meets daily average productivity standards set by the agency.
2. Participates in on-call and weekend duties as defined by the agency policies.
3. Participates in Quality Management activities.
4. Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.
5. Instructs, supervises and evaluates hospice aide care provided every fourteen days, when needed.
6. Participates in educational programs to maintain skills and knowledge of current nursing practice.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description. All clinical staff are expected to participate as needed in variable shifts, including weekend rotation per staffing needs and departmental holiday rotation.

Position Qualifications

1. Current and active California RN license.
2. Bachelor’s degree, preferred.
3. Minimum one year acute care experience required.
4. One year recent home health or hospice experience preferred.
5. Bilingual – Spanish preferred, but not necessary.
6. Current CPR certification.
7. Licensed driver with insured automobile - in accordance with state and/or organization requirements.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Ability to lift 50 lbs.
2. Ability to push/pull 50 lbs.
3. Ability to stoop, bend, and squat.
4. Ability to walk up one flight of stairs.
5. Ability to walk one mile.
6. Ability to sit for one hour, minimum.
7. Visual and audio acuity.