About the Role

The Hospice Admission Registered Nurse (RN) is a trained professional nurse who is a vital part of the Hospice team. An Admission RN is responsible for conducting eligibility assessments, explaining the hospice benefit, reviewing referral documentation to ensure a smooth transition into hospice care (ensuring the correct Durable Medical Equipment (DME), Medications, and Medical Supplies are ordered/available at Admission.) The Admission RN also provides education to patients, family and applicable staff members, and acting as the primary point of contact to ensure coordination and continuity of care as patient progresses into hospice care.

In this role you will be responsible for: 

• The Hospice Admissions Nurse is responsible for facilitating the admission process for new patients, ensuring a smooth transition into hospice care, and providing high-quality nursing care.
• This position will work closely with Hospice team members, as well as members of the organization’s other service lines to ensure our patients are getting the right care, at the right time.
• This position requires strong clinical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to delivering compassionate care to patients and their families.
• Conduct thorough assessments of incoming patients to gather medical history, assess current health status, prognosis, and identify initial care needs and documents according to policy in order to demonstrate hospice eligibility according to regulation and organizational policy.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to develop individualized care plans for new patients.
• Communicate effectively with patients, their families, and caregivers to provide information about the hospice admissions process, policies, and available services.
• Complete admission paperwork accurately and ensure all required documentation is obtained, including consent forms, insurance information, and medical records.
• Coordinate with other hospice disciplines, such as social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, to arrange for necessary assessments and services for new admissions.
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by hospice medical director/designee and/or attending provider, following established medication administration protocols and best practices for pain and symptom management.
• Monitor patients' vital signs, symptoms, and overall condition during the admission process and report any changes or concerns to the appropriate healthcare team members.

Required Qualifications 

• Graduate of a diploma or degree program from an accredited school of Nursing
• Current State License as a Registered Nurse
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a nurse in a clinical care setting

Essential Skills and Qualities

• Nursing skills as defined by accepted nursing standards.
• Demonstrates ability to assess and respond to the needs of patients, families and caregivers in varied settings and to function effectively in the home, hospital, residential care community environment.
• Demonstrates skill in nursing practice, ability to cope with patient/family emotional stress.
• Ability to tolerate individual lifestyles and choices which may or may not align with the RNs personal preferences.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities, documentation requirements, and deadlines.

Location 

• Office Location: Grand Rapids, MI and Kalamazoo, MI
• Main Service Area: Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo
  • This position visits facilities and homes

Hours 

• Four 10-hour shifts per week (Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.)