RN Hospice Admission

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About the Role

The Hospice admission RN is a licensed professional nurse who educates the patient and family regarding hospice services and the palliative approach to terminal care so that they are prepared to make an informed decision regarding agreement for hospice admission. Performs the admission for the hospice patient choosing to live at their home, ALF, or SNF. The admission process requires a nursing assessment and determination if the history of the disease and the patient's current condition support hospice eligibility. The admission RN reports the findings, assesses the needs, performs any necessary treatments or procedures, reviews the patient's medication profile, develops the initial plan of care including the visit frequency of services needed, obtains the verbal certification and initial orders from the attending physician and the hospice medical director. Obtains agreement on the Plan of Care with other members of the hospice interdisciplinary team.

Must provide transportation to site of admission and may be exposed to pets and cigarette smoke. The framework for practice is steered by the WellStar Professional Practice Model, 5-Star Nursing, and evidence-based practice and research. RN competencies are derived from these models and supported by the WellStar Core Competencies.

Responsibilities

• Educate the patient and family regarding hospice care and services leading to an informed decision for admission to hospice:
  • Provide an explanation of hospice admission criteria including philosophy of palliative care.
  • Explain the hospice Medicare/Medicaid Benefit or benefits provided by alternate reimbursement sources. Explain the patient's financial responsibilities.
  • Determine if the patient's goals for care are compatible with the hospice care model.
• Complete the admission process:
  • Contact the patient's identified attending physician to obtain verbal certification and admission orders.
  • Perform a head-to-toe assessment and record findings focusing on the symptoms related to the terminal illness and disease progression.
  • Review any existing medical records to identify comorbidities.
  • Review the medication profile and evaluate the effectiveness of medications to manage the existing symptoms/pain.
• Coordinate resources to support the physical needs/safety of the patient care in the home:
  • Based upon the physical assessment, order the required assistive devices and standard durable medical equipment.
  • Per protocol, order the emergency medication kit.
  • Educate the family regarding contacting hospice providers and obtaining after-hours care.
• With input from the patient/family, develop the initial plan of care specific to individualized patient/family needs:
  • Determine the visit frequencies that will best meet those needs.
  • Introduce the concept of the interdisciplinary team and the roles of each team member.
  • Provide emotional support to patient and family related to the transition to hospice care, recognizing the anticipatory grief and complex emotional impact of the hospice admission.
  • Determine the patient's advance directives and desired code status.
  • Collaborate with the team members regarding the admission and initial plan of care.
  • Consult the hospice Medical Director regarding the admission and the Plan of Care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Requirements

• Associate's degree in Nursing or Diploma in Nursing (required).
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (preferred).
• Minimum 2 years of acute care experience and hospice experience.

Qualifications

• BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - American Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor.
• RN - Registered Nurse (Single State) or RN-COMPACT - RN - Multi-state Compact.
• Georgia Driver's License or Valid State Driver's License.
• Private Vehicle Insurance.

Schedule

Day shift.

Benefits

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.