Admissions RN

Position: Admissions Nurse Department: Admissions

Reports To: Director of Admissions FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Schedule: Monday–Friday

Position Summary / Main Purpose

The Admission Nurse is primarily responsible for pre-assessments and the admission of patients.

Looking for a different way to practice nursing?

If you became a nurse because you wanted to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, hospice offers an opportunity to reconnect with that purpose.

As a Hospice RN Inpatient Nurse, you’ll care for patients, build meaningful relationships with patients and families, and use your clinical judgment to help people live as comfortably and fully as possible.

This role offers a different rhythm from traditional hospital or nursing facility.

If you’re a clinically confident, compassionate RN who values autonomy, meaningful relationships and having ownership of your work, hospice nursing may be the change you’re looking for.

What You’ll Do

• Completes the admission and initial assessment for patients that meet admission criteria into the appropriate program.
• Initiates a plan of care following assessment of the patient, collaborating with the patient, family, caregiver, and/or facility staff as needed, so that their goals are reflected in the plan of care.
• Communicates identified patient needs to appropriate discipline via verbal and written reports of the status of the patient.
• Assesses patient’s immediate needs and symptoms, collaborating with caregivers, physicians and pharmacists to manage those symptoms and educating caregivers on new medications and/or treatments.
• Appropriately decides what DME, medications, supplies CHC will be responsible for providing, collaborating with Pharmacy and/or IDT as needed.
• Collaborates with attending physician regarding the plan of care and new orders needed at the time of admission.
• Sets up the ECF/hospice chart in facilities for ECF patients.
• Productivity is 7.5 admits or 3 admits and 3 PA/Admits per week.
• Expected to complete an extra admission on a rotating basis to efficiently serve our patients as needed.
• It is expected that Matrix charting be completed in the home or facility which includes but is not limited to admitting patient, medication entry, and starting of admission assessment.
• Admits patients in Matrix using the Matrix Hospice or Matrix Home Health Checklist as a guide.
• Documents all medications, the plan of care, Hospice Determination of Terminal Status, and the Hospice Initial Assessment (OASIS for Home Health).
• Documents of any care interventions, results and teaching done at the admission in the admission assessment, Hospice Initial Assessment (OASIS for Home Health).
• Documents all physician orders and IDT notes in Matrix.
• Completes Medicaid hospice and home health paperwork accurately, and forwards to admissions and the billing department.
• Sends NEW ADMIT email report of admission to appropriate services sight email group, uploads consents, legal documents, emergency plan, POST into Matrix. Scans paperwork for appropriate staff on the day of the admission via email.
• All documentation to be completed on the day of admission for patients scheduled before 5pm and before 10am the following day for patients scheduled after 5pm.
• Appropriate paperwork will be printed off in facilities and left on chart per guidelines.
• If admission nurse is doing a PA/Admit or the following consents are not obtained during the PA, the admission nurse will accurately fill out all consents needed for admission and get patient/caregiver signature as appropriate.

These include but are not limited to

Notice of Election of Hospice benefit, Patient Notification of Hospice Non-Covered Items, Services, and Drugs, General Consents and Release of Information, insurance verification, fee assessment (when appropriate), explanation, OASIS privacy Statement, and POST.

• Performs pre-assessments for patients interested in either home health care, hospice, or In-Patient Unit.
• Educates patients, families, caregivers, referral sources about hospice services and philosophy.
• Gathers sufficient information to determine eligibility of prospective patients for hospice/homecare services using knowledge of state and federal regulations and makes sure that appropriate admission paperwork is completed correctly.
• Verifies patient information in Matrix with patient/caregiver while in home or facility. This includes, but not limited to, name, birthdate, SSN, pharmacy, caregiver name, address, and phone number.
• Able to use equipment as provided by CHC to print and/or scan in paperwork or insurance cards.
• Works with the billing department when necessary to verify patient insurance prior to the pre-assessment.
• Completes and completes and submits LCD, gathers appropriate staff (medical director, RN, social worker) for an IDT and presents the patient, past medical history, diagnosis from referring doctor, and symptoms to determine patient’s appropriateness for hospice, In-Patient Unit, or home health.
• Accurately documents the pre-assessment and IDT in Matrix on the day they occurred.
• Accurately fills out all consents needed for admission and gets patient/caregiver signature as appropriate.

These include but are not limited to

Notice of Election of Hospice benefit, Patient Notification of Non-Covered Items, Services, Drugs, General Consents and Release of Information, and insurance verification and explanation, fee assessment, OASIS Privacy Statement.

• Complete follow-up as needed.

Who Thrives in This Role?

We’re looking for more than clinical experience. The nurses who are likely to thrive in hospice are those who enjoy the independence, relationships and personal accountability that come with caring for patients in the community.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Build relationships easily. You take time to understand what’s important to patients and families and earn their trust.
• Are comfortable working independently. You enjoy having ownership of your work and know when to reach out for support.
• Bring strong clinical judgment. You’re confident assessing patients, recognizing changes and determining when action is needed.
• Stay organized. You’re comfortable managing a caseload, changing priorities and timely documentation.
• Take ownership. You follow through on commitments and communicate proactively.
• Adapt well. You can adjust when a patient’s condition, family needs or your schedule changes.
• Communicate with compassion. You’re comfortable helping patients and families through difficult conversations and decisions.
• Value teamwork. You enjoy independence but also recognize the value of physicians, social workers, aides, chaplains and other members of the care team working together.

What You’ll Bring

• Current Indiana RN license
• Michigan RN license is a plus
• Strong clinical assessment, communication and critical-thinking skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with an interdisciplinary team
• Knowledge of hospice philosophy, applicable coverage requirements, and state and federal regulations is preferred

Benefits

Eligible full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Health savings and flexible spending account options
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Competitive paid time off
• Employee assistance program
• Wellness and healthy lifestyle benefits
• Employee peer recognition program
• Annual anniversary/retention bonus opportunities

Find a Different Kind of Nursing

Hospice nursing isn’t about doing less. It’s an opportunity to focus differently. You’ll bring your clinical expertise to patients and families during one of the most important times in their lives.

You’ll have the independence to manage your patients, the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, and the support of a team committed to helping patients live with comfort and dignity.