Job Description

The schedule for this role is Monday - Friday 10 am to 7 pm This is a full-time professional position.

To care for individuals and families with compassion, support, and expertise as they navigate the end of life or life-changing illness.

This position is responsible for completing the admission, initial assessment and associated documentation for new hospice patients. These duties will be performed in a manner that is consistent with the agency’s mission statement, core values and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Utilizing expert level clinical decision making, assess and develop patient plan of care for all elective, urgent and emergent admissions. Requires expert level analysis of patient clinical information and formulation of an accurate assessment of the patient and his/her condition.
• Coordinate with patient, patient’s family members, physicians, Hospice supervisors and/or clinical staff when requirements of admission are not met/authorized, requiring facilitation of alternative care arrangements, physician/administrative override, or delay in service.
• Responsible for collecting accurate and viable patient insurance information and escalating all self-pay patients through the appropriate financial screening process (i.e. Medicaid, Charity Care, patient liability).
• Plan, provide, supervise and document safe, competent, and compassionate hospice nursing care for patients in accordance with physician orders and established policies and procedures.

• Participate in own professional development by maintaining required competencies, identifying learning needs and seeking appropriate assistance or educational offerings
• Responsible for providing and documenting appropriate and relevant end of life information and education to patients and their families in compliance with current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMS Conditions of Participation (CoPs).
• Participate in the identification of clinical or operational performance improvement opportunities and in performance improvement activities.
• Responsible for professionally managing time, people and technology.
• Monitors and manages the appropriate use of patients’ medical equipment, supplies and medications.
• Collaborates with other Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) members to determine the patient’s level of care and coordinate the appropriate utilization of contract services.
• Actively participates in the orientation and training of new employees of all disciplines.
• Works collaboratively with IDG and other Transitions LifeCare (TL) departments in achieving patient care goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Expectations

• TL Core Values are exemplified in all interactions with internal and external customers.
• Adheres to TL policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Adheres to CMS and state guidelines and nursing standards of practice.
• Adheres to NHPCO Ethical Practices and the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse with current NC license; BSN preferred.
• Minimum 2 years recent clinical experience. Hospice and/or home health or nursing home experience or equivalent preferred.

• Expert in medical terminology and clinical data interpretation.

• Hospice Nurse Certification (CHPN) preferred.
• Knowledgeable about reimbursement sources, Medicare regulations, licensing laws, and accreditation standards.
• Competent computer skills.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Current CPR certification.
• Must be able to travel to, enter and function in the homes/facility of any patient/family in the service area to assess and provide care to all patients.
• May be required to lift and/or carry items up to 50 pounds.
• Must have sensory abilities to complete physical assessment, communicate with patient/family care providers and physician and to complete the reporting and follow-up documentation responsibilities of the job.
• Workdays and scheduled hours with weekend and holiday commitments as outlined in Employee Information Agreement.

Environmental Factors

• Tasks with potential for exposure to blood borne pathogens.
• May be potentially exposed to communicable diseases or bodily fluids.