Hospice Nurse Liaison - Gilchrist Inova (Fairfax, VA)

About the role

Gilchrist Inova Hospice Care is seeking a Hospice Liaison Nurse to generate and facilitate patient admissions from hospital-based referral sources, promote growth of admissions, perform or coordinate clinical assessments, and meet organizational goals for successful relationships with area hospitals. This role involves establishing and nurturing external professional relationships, maintaining awareness of local medical markets, and representing Gilchrist Inova in a competent, professional manner consistent with the organization’s goals.

Responsibilities

• Actively develop and foster area hospital referral source acceptance and allegiance to Gilchrist Inova.
• Implement strategies and tactics to increase admissions from referral sources.
• Maintain awareness of changing medical environment and industry competition.
• Represent Gilchrist Inova with professionalism at all times; respond in a timely manner to referral source questions or requests for presentations.
• Maintain current knowledge of each facility’s discharge planning process and build relationships with key institutional referral sources.
• Professionally and compassionately interact with patients, families, and hospital referral sources to explain end-of-life care services.
• Deliver effective “in-services,” “lunch & learns,” and other presentations to educate the medical community on Gilchrist Inova, end-of-life care, hospice philosophy, and related topics.
• Maintain current knowledge of Hospice Medicare Benefit and other applicable insurance information; communicate related information when needed.
• Track success of liaison efforts; partner with other Admission & Business Development team members to discuss current procedures and suggest improvements.
• Prepare for and attend required meetings; contribute valuable feedback and relevant suggestions.
• Ensure all HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and other regulatory/compliance requirements are understood and followed.
• Assist with “Share Days” for prospective employees and orient new nursing personnel to policies, procedures, and practices of Gilchrist Inova and the Hospice Liaison Nurse role.
• Perform job functions in a fiscally responsible manner consistent with Gilchrist Inova policies, mission, and vision.
• Perform eligibility and clinical assessment visits for patients; coordinate transition of patients to Gilchrist Inova service for assigned hospital patients.
• Discuss clinical findings with hospital representatives when required.
• Explain Gilchrist Inova services to patients and families in a situation-appropriate manner resulting in the admission of appropriate patients and a positive impression of Gilchrist Inova.
• Complete timely electronic documentation of eligibility visits and/or admissions; use electronic medical record (EMR) systems effectively and efficiently to complete required documentation in a variety of patient care settings.
• Oversee pending patients (referrals) and partner with Hospice Admission RNs and other Admission team members in the admission process.
• Prioritize urgency of visits and duties when multiple referral sources require Gilchrist Inova services or information, as directed by policies/procedures.
• Keep all referral sources updated on the status of all patient care interactions, including ongoing status reports for patients admitted to services, including death notifications.
• Be willing to perform the duties of an admissions nurse at homes and facilities when needed (e.g., holidays).

Education

• Registered Nurse with an Associate degree or Nursing Diploma.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience required with hospice, home health, critical care, ER, oncology, medical/surgical experience, community outreach, or pastoral counseling.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to market to and deal tactfully with customers (e.g., physicians, social workers, nurses) and other possible referral sources and the community.
• Excellent professional communication, negotiation, presentation, and public relations skills.
• Self-directed with the ability to work with little supervision in a rapidly changing environment.
• Flexibility in scheduling and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong clinical or psychosocial assessment and documentation skills.
• Strong computer skills including email, EMR, Word, and PowerPoint applications.

Licensures, Certifications

• Current Virginia State license as a Registered Nurse.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record; automobile insured in accordance with Gilchrist Inova requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to provide patient care or assistance that involves lifting, repositioning, moving patients, and includes bending, reaching, and twisting.
• Ability to travel to patient locations; includes ability to drive, negotiate stairs and walkways (including uneven surfaces) at private homes or facilities.
• Sufficient dexterity to utilize electronic record-keeping systems, computers/keyboards, laptops, and other related equipment.
• Visual ability to assess patient’s health status using visual inspection and observation; to read medications, charts, calibration, and monitoring devices as appropriate.
• Verbal ability to communicate to assess and impart information concerning patient status; to effectively complete patient/family teaching; and to interact with internal and external health care teams.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment with driving as a large part of the day in the field, including visits to patient homes, some in unsafe areas (escort provided).
• Exposure to adverse working conditions due to performance of patient care activities and exposure to communicable diseases.