Admissions RN

Iowa City Hospice • Iowa City, IA

4d

About The Position

The Admissions RN creates a positive hospice experience from the beginning by building trust, assessing patient needs, and ensuring timely access to compassionate end-of-life care. The role responds to referrals and conducts admissions assessments in homes, hospitals, assisted living communities, and long-term care facilities. The nurse evaluates hospice eligibility, explains hospice services and patient rights, coordinates transitions into care, and advocates for patient goals and quality of life.

This is a full-time position with a Monday-Friday schedule from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The position participates in after-hours and holiday call rotations and may provide scheduled weekend admission coverage. The nurse works with patients, families, physicians, discharge planners, social workers, case managers, referral partners, and the interdisciplinary hospice team. The role requires frequent travel throughout the service area, including rural communities, and work in varied homes and healthcare facilities.

Iowa City Hospice is a mission-driven nonprofit organization providing end-of-life care. Its nursing culture emphasizes dignity, comfort, connection, authentic relationships, clinical excellence, autonomy, collaboration, and support for patients, families, and colleagues.

Requirements

• Current Iowa RN license in good standing.
• Graduate of an approved school of nursing (RN/BSN/ARNP) with a current Iowa nursing license.
• Knowledge of end-of-life care principles and symptom management.
• General medical knowledge related to home health and hospice services and end-of-life issues is desirable.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance.
• Strong clinical knowledge, critical-thinking skills, and evidence-based practice expertise.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Proficient computer skills, including electronic health records and Microsoft Office applications.
• Professional nursing judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to assess, prioritize, and manage multiple patient needs effectively.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Commitment to confidentiality and ethical practice.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with team members.
• Strong patient and family education and advocacy skills.
• Professionalism, accountability, and resilience in challenging situations.
• Organizational and documentation excellence.
• Ability to travel frequently throughout the service area, including rural communities, and drive in favorable and inclement weather.
• Ability to use an iPhone, iPad, computer systems, and other office technology, and to complete electronic documentation in patient homes and healthcare settings.
• Meet the employment offer conditions of a criminal background check conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and a negative finding on the Office of Inspector General’s Excluded Provider List.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of home health, hospice, or related work experience is preferred.
• Advanced certification in hospice and palliative nursing by the third year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Respond promptly to hospice referrals and inquiries.
• Conduct comprehensive admissions assessments in homes, hospitals, assisted living communities, and long-term care facilities.
• Evaluate patients for hospice eligibility according to regulatory and clinical guidelines.
• Explain hospice services, philosophy of care, and patient rights to patients and families.
• Collaborate with physicians, discharge planners, social workers, case managers, and referral partners to facilitate timely admissions.
• Obtain and review medical records, physician orders, and supporting documentation.
• Complete admission paperwork and required documentation accurately and compliantly.
• Coordinate initiation of services with the interdisciplinary hospice team.
• Develop initial plans of care that address patient and family needs.
• Educate patients and families about disease progression, symptom management, medications, and available support services.
• Facilitate communication among patients, families, referral sources, physicians, and hospice team members.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Participate in after-hours, holiday, on-call, or weekend admission coverage as scheduled.
• Represent Iowa City Hospice professionally throughout the community.
• Advocate for patient goals, wishes, and quality of life.

Benefits

• Wellmark medical and dental insurance with multiple plan options; benefits begin the first of the month following the start date.
• Avesis vision insurance.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Employer-paid disability insurance.
• Voluntary short-term disability, critical illness, and accident coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Company car or mileage reimbursement.
• Company-issued iPhone and iPad.
• Free parking.
• Paid time off, including 19 days of vacation accrued annually and 12 days of sick leave accrued annually.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Supportive leadership and a collaborative interdisciplinary team.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed