PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Admissions Nurse works with Admissions staff, physicians’ offices, hospitals, nursing facilities, foster homes, assisted living and other area facilities, and families to assure timely admission of patients referred to Hospice El Paso. Facilitates admissions quickly as a means of increasing referrals and providing continuity of care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Listed below is an outline of the major duties and responsibilities that will be required. Administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to perform the assigned duties under the supervision of the Director of Admissions are delegated to this position.

Every effort has been made to provide a position description that is as complete as possible. The duties outlined herein are not considered complete and final, and are not the only duties the Admissions Nurse will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Receives and timely responds to inquiries about hospice care.
2. Receives referrals for hospice care. Strives to complete all admissions within three hours of referral.
3. Screens information for appropriateness to program. Consults with Admissions Counselors, Admissions Coordinators, Director of Admissions, and business office as needed.
4. Obtains all the necessary intake information and physicians start-of-care order.
5. Enters information into office systems PRN.
6. Assists in obtaining needed, equipment and supplies to begin care.
7. Maintains accurate tracking records and log of daily activities.
8. Reviews H&P, completes clinical parameters.
9. Schedule pre-admission visit and evaluate every potential patient for admission criteria. Coordinates with Hospice Source and admission counselors.
10. Involves social services assistance at the earliest possible time.
11. Coordinates discharge planning with family, social worker, hospital staff and attending physician.
12. Liaisons with physician and discharge planner to facilitate admission.
13. Clarifies all medications with pharmacy and attending physician during to admission.
14. Review medications with patient and family.
15. Provides extensive teaching with patient/family on symptom management and the disease process to ease anxiety.
16. Performs admission and submits completed admission paperwork within 24 hours to medical records.
17. Provides report to Team Leader and Case Manager when admissions is completed.
18. Informs Admissions Counselor (as scheduled) and/or on-call nurse of admission time.
19. Maintains close contact with admission office and Director of Admissions in between admission activities.
20. Performs after-hour admissions as needed.
21. Follows up on pending and/or non-admit patient referrals as needed.
22. Visits various hospitals and nursing homes to assure that professionals are aware of the scope of hospice services and have an understanding of admission criteria.
23. Assumes triage duties when assigned.
24. Executes other nursing care related duties as assigned by the Director of Admissions.
25. Shall know and conform to the Texas Nursing Practice Act: Current Board rules, regulations, and standards of professional nursing; and all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations affecting the RN’s current area of Nursing Practice.
26. Be responsible for own continuing competence in nursing practice and individual professional growth.
27. Be able to present evidence of 20 contact hours of continuing education if/as requested by the Board of Nurse Examiners with a renewal period-two year period determined licensee’s birth month and year.
28. Has knowledge of and follows Hospice policies and procedures
29. Maintains a professional appearance.
30. Displays a consistent positive attitude.
31. Demonstrates Values of Hospice: Professionalism, Respect, Nurturance, Communications, Continuous Improvement
32. Adheres to Hospice of El Paso Mission Statement.
33. Participates in orientation of employees, volunteers and students as assigned.
34. Functions independently, demonstrates personal integrity, flexibility and the ability to work effectively with other personnel under varying circumstances.
35. Performs other duties as assigned

COMMUNICATION

1. Establishes and maintains effective communication and a cooperative manner with patient/family members, physicians, professionals and support staff working in hospitals, nursing facilities, foster homes, and other related facilities as required by position.
2. Uses tact and sensitivity in communicating with patients/families, physicians, professionals and support staff working in hospitals, nursing facilities, foster homes, and related facilities as required by position
3. Establishes and maintains a cooperative manner and effective communication, both verbally and in writing, with all levels of Hospice Staff.
4. Complies with HIPAA standards by abiding with the minimum necessary Protected Health Information to perform job responsibilities. Access Level 2 – Select, insert, update.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Attends and participates in in-service education classes and on-the-job training programs as scheduled.
2. Attends conferences and workshops as approved.
3. Involved in community/civic health matters/projects.
4. Attends ethics and compliance training and maintains compliance with the CCP.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Works in a well lighted ventilated area, as well as throughout the nursing service areas.
2. Subject to frequent interruptions.
3. Involved with physicians, patients, family members, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions/circumstances.
4. Subject to hostile and emotionally upset patients, family members, etc.
5. Willingness to work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
6. Subject to falls, burns from equipment, infectious diseases, odors, etc., throughout the work day.
7. Exposure Level – Category I. Direct contact with blood, other bodily fluids and potentially infectious materials to which standard precautions apply. Personal protective equipment is made available and must be worn.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education and Experience
2. Valid nursing license in the State of Texas.
3. Two years clinical experience. Background in oncology, discharge planning, care of terminal patients or community nursing health preferred.
4. Working knowledge of nursing process.
5. Other
6. Personal vehicle available for transportation during work hours and has personal phone.
7. Valid driver’s license, insurance as required by the state of Texas.
8. Must be able to read, write, and speak English at a level that will permit the employee to accurately understand and communicate information as needed to safely and efficiently perform job duties.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Physically fit and able to work in a variety of settings and locations during established operating hours.
2. Able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
3. Sits, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours.
4. Is able to reposition up to 50lbs.
5. Possesses sight/hearing senses or uses prosthetics that enable these senses to function adequately to meet the requirements of the position.