Admissions Nurse - RN

Job Summary:

The Admissions Nurse is responsible for performing home health and hospice admissions for the agency. Collaboration with the intake department and scheduling department to ensure smooth care transitions occur for our patients will be of great importance. The Admissions Nurse will conduct themselves in a professional manner as they are the initial face of the agency. Marketing and customer service will be of high value in this position. A good knowledge of both home health and hospice regulations will be necessary. Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) assumes the responsibility and accountability for the practice of professional nursing in a manner consistent with the NH State Nurse Practice Act in the home setting.

Essential Qualifications: License or Certification: current active NH Registered Nursing License.  Education: Graduate of accredited school of nursing.  Home Care experience preferred.  Must be self-directed and ability to work without direct supervision.  Ability to demonstrate flexibility in response to unexpected changes in work volume and work schedule, required.  Ability to function in any home situation regardless of age, race, creed, color, sex, disability or financial condition of the patient.  Must possess the disposition and personality to work harmoniously with a wide variety of people and all levels of staff and interact professionally as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.  Speak, write, read, and comprehend English.  Computer proficiency in electronic medical records data entry.  Maintains valid driver’s license and certificate of auto insurance coverage.  Current BLS Certification required.

Essential Functions: 

• Possesses the clinical skills necessary to perform high quality home health and hospice admissions and routine visits when necessary:
• In depth review of referral information, including but not limited to: inpatient documents, discharge summaries, labs, imaging, Provider notes, advanced directives
• Exceptional understanding of home health and hospice regulations
• Ability to review home health and hospice admissions paperwork with the patient/family in a manner that allows the patient to understand requirements and expectations.
• Admission scorecard within the top ten percent of agencies overall scoring
• Timely admission documentation (24 hour completion) and collaboration with coding and OASIS team to ensure patients are scored appropriately
• Wound management including advanced therapies
• Management of IVs, central lines and IV sites
• Performs phlebotomies and procurement of lab specimens
• Administer IM, IV, SC, intradermal injections
• Insertion and management of catheters and suprapubic tubes
• Management of ostomies and teaching ostomy care
• Management and troubleshooting oxygen therapy
• Management of tracheotomies, chest tubes, drains, G-tubes, J-tubes, etc.
• Management and troubleshooting pacemakers
• Removal of sutures and staples
• Teach clients and caregivers to manage care independently to the extent possible, to promote wellness and to prevent relapses and complications
• Think critically and exercises sound judgment
• Take call and work weekends in rotation according to the number nurses on staff which varies
• Provide excellent communication between referring providers, primary care doctors, and specialists via phone calls and shared clinical documentation.
• Perform informationals at local hospitals if needed
• Other duties as assigned

• To deliver the highest quality of care
• Effectively address patients’ symptoms upon admission
• Develop an effective nursing plan of care and visit frequency which can be seen in clients record unfolding from admission
• Complete a comprehensive medicine reconciliation upon admission. This includes asking patients to produce all medications kept in the home and reconcile against referral information.
• Practice universal precautions, appropriate clean and sterile technique, and prevent iatrogenic complications

• To produce quality documentation
• Documentation is to be done in the client’s home, during the visit utilizing the computerized tablets provided by the Agency
• All documentation to be completed within 24 hours
• Plans of care must be completed within the appropriate window of time
• Wound measurements documented on admission and appropriate care plans added.
• Admission paperwork delivered to Medical Records by the following day
• All orders are entered appropriately into the clinical record
• Manner of documentation completed according to Agency policy and in compliance with regulatory agencies and payer dictates

• To communicate effectively and professionally
• Clients know when to expect nursing admission
• Physicians and other appropriate team members are kept informed of admission and such communication can be found in the Communication section of the client’s record.
• Check in with scheduling at least every morning to confirm schedule and make/receive any needed changes
• Leaves voice mail or otherwise communicates with staff about admissions, weekend report, changes in status while on call, etc.
• Addresses problems/concerns in a positive, productive and professional manner. Promotes team work and collaboration.

• Practices in accordance with current ethical principles
• Avoids paternalism and promotes clients right to self determination
• Maintains client’s confidentiality and complies with HIPAA regulations. Any breach of confidentiality will result in discipline up to and including dismissal.
• Delivers care regardless of race, religion, belief system, nationality, etc.

• Is professional in appearance and behavior
• Dresses professionally according to Agency policy
• Wears name tag when in client’s home and when in the community representing the Agency
• Follows Agency policy regarding giving out personal information, seeing patients when off duty, running errands, etc.
• Is punctual for meetings and home visits
• Has regular attendance. Notifies Clinical Director if unexpectedly absent and discusses the distribution of assigned clients
• Has an average productivity of 3 admissions or 5 routine visits/8 hours.
• Works as a team member and values the input and wisdom of the team