Registered Nurse, Admissions at VNA Health – Solvang, California

About Us:

At VNA Health, our mission is to revolutionize healthcare through compassion and innovation, ensuring every individual's well-being is prioritized. We're dedicated to empowering our employees to make a real difference in the lives of our patients and communities, driving positive change in healthcare. Join us in our mission to provide exceptional care and improve the health and dignity of those we serve.

Why Join Us:

• Employee sponsored insurance premiums including dental, vision, basic life, disability, and AD&D insurance plans.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual from the first day of employment.

• Generous Wellness Benefit providing annual reimbursement for fitness and wellness expenses.

• Financial wellness program with matching 403(b) Retirement Plan and Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

• Supportive company culture promoting employee well-being through programs like the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and public transportation reimbursement.

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. Assesses and evaluates patients status by initiating and documenting the patient plan of care.
4. Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.
5. 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.
6. Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician.
7. Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs at the admission visit.
8. Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan.
9. Assists the patient with identifying the needs of activities of daily living with emphasis on safety and optional comfort care.
10. 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. Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan, as needed.
4. Teaches the patient and family/ caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provides medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/ caregivers. Works in concert with the other hospice Interdisciplinary Team Members.
5. Inputs complete medication profile time log and assessment by end of shift.
6. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
7. Assists the patient and family/ caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.
8. Works in cooperation with the family/ caregiver and hospice Interdisciplinary Team Members to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/ caregiver.
9. Provides a complete and succinct hand-off report to RN Case Manager assigned to the patient and to the on-call staff, as appropriate.
10. Has working knowledge of state, federal, local, and accreditation regulations in order to provide hospice services to community clients.

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.

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.
8. Responsible for supervising home health aides/ LVNs.
9. Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, basic math skills; nursing skills per competency checklist.
10. Ability to respond independently to life threatening situations.
11. Ability to reason, deduce and carry out complex multiple step processes.

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.

STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE:

VnA Health Evaluation tool.