Admissions RN

Iowa Care Community Inc, Iowa City Hospice, Visiting Nurse Association • Iowa City, IA

5d

About The Position

The Admissions RN helps create a positive hospice experience by building trust, assessing patient needs, and ensuring timely access to compassionate end-of-life care. This full-time position follows a Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM schedule and participates in after-hours and holiday call rotations. The nurse conducts admission assessments in homes, hospitals, assisted living communities, and long-term care facilities; evaluates hospice eligibility; explains hospice services and patient rights; and coordinates transitions into care with patients, families, physicians, referral partners, and the interdisciplinary hospice team. The role also involves developing initial plans of care, providing education and support, completing compliant documentation, and representing Iowa City Hospice in the community.

Iowa City Hospice is a mission-driven nonprofit providing end-of-life care throughout its community. Its culture emphasizes dignity, compassion, authentic relationships, clinical excellence, collaboration, supportive leadership, professional development, and nurses’ ability to practice with confidence and autonomy.

Requirements

• Current Iowa RN license in good standing.
• Graduation from an approved school of nursing (RN/BSN/ARNP) with a current Iowa nursing license.
• 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.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and Microsoft Office applications.
• Professional nursing judgment and decision-making skills.
• 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 and drive in varied weather conditions.
• Ability to work in varying home and facility environments.
• Employment offers are conditioned on 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, as required by law.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of home health, hospice, or related work experience is preferred.
• General medical knowledge related to home health and hospice services and end-of-life issues is desirable.
• Knowledge of end-of-life care principles and symptom management.
• Obtain advanced Hospice and Palliative Nurse certification 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 scheduled on-call or weekend admission coverage, including after-hours and holiday call rotations.
• Serve as a professional ambassador for Iowa City Hospice throughout the community.
• Assess, prioritize, and manage multiple patient needs; exercise professional nursing judgment and decision-making.
• Maintain confidentiality and ethical practice while working independently and collaborating with team members.
• Travel throughout the service area, including rural communities, and drive in favorable and inclement weather.
• Use iPhone, iPad, computer systems, and other office technology, including for electronic documentation in patient homes and healthcare settings.

Benefits

• Wellmark medical and dental insurance with multiple plan options, beginning the first of the month following the start date.
• Avesis vision insurance, beginning the first of the month following the start date.
• 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.
• 19 days of vacation accrued annually and 12 days of sick leave accrued annually.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Supportive, collaborative interdisciplinary team and accessible leadership.

What This Job Offers

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