Clinical Liaison RN

Hospice of Santa Cruz County•Santa Cruz, CA

About The Position

The Clinical Liaison (CL) provides education and outreach to support hospice services and referral processes in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. The role coordinates communication with patients, families, physicians, hospital staff, and facility partners, and supports hospice, palliative care, and transitions services as appropriate. The CL follows HSCC policies and procedures related to General Inpatient (GIP) care and maintains systems that support regulatory compliance. The position represents the agency with sensitivity and compassion toward people facing life-limiting illness, death, and bereavement. The Clinical Liaison facilitates referrals and admissions, assesses documentation for hospice eligibility, explains available services and payment, and helps coordinate transitions to home or facility settings. The role also develops and maintains relationships with hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, provides education and in-services, supports partner problem-solving, and contributes to effective care protocols. The position requires an active California RN license.

Requirements

Current California RN license; the license must be from an accredited university.
Current California Driver's License.
Pass OIG/GSA review and all required background checks.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent presentation skills.
Ability to develop and sustain effective working relationships.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, and competence using electronic medical record systems.
Critical-thinking ability and capacity to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds.
Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
Hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person and by telephone.
Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer.

Nice To Haves

Hospice experience preferred but not required.
Customer service experience preferred.
Bilingual ability strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Facilitate admissions by consulting with patients and families in the hospital before transfer home or to a facility.
Work with hospitals and physicians to identify patients who may benefit from hospice, palliative care, or transitions support.
Obtain and review medical records and supporting documentation to determine hospice eligibility.
Meet with patients and families to explain hospice services and payment.
Offer information and registration visits for hospice, palliative care, or transitions services as needed.
Coordinate transitions to home or facility settings with hospital discharge planners.
Document referrals and admissions in the hospice clinical record.
Maintain accountability for monthly and yearly admission and conversion-rate goals.
Serve as an admission nurse or provide visit support as needed and available.
Educate hospital professionals on hospice eligibility, HSCC services, regulations, and symptom management.
Prepare and deliver presentations to hospital staff and referring physicians, and provide individual consultation on palliative or hospice care as needed.
Communicate regularly with case managers to exchange information about hospice referrals.
Identify, profile, and network with assigned skilled nursing facilities; maintain existing partner relationships and develop new ones.
Identify facility education, training, and process-flow needs.
Collaborate with IDG Team Leaders to support facility relationships and protocols, report feedback to clinical leadership, and promote quality patient care and service.
Present HSCC services and manage partner relationships to support HSCC as the hospice provider of choice.
Provide follow-through and problem-solving support between facilities and HSCC.
Conduct routine systems reviews and participate in maintaining systems and protocols between facilities and HSCC.
Arrange or provide facility in-services on hospice philosophy, eligibility, and HSCC services.
Collect and report data on service preferences of key facility staff; maintain a database of key referral partners and their communication and process preferences.
Submit regular reports to the supervisor in a timely manner.
Maintain professional growth in communication, hospice clinical knowledge, and hospice eligibility criteria; attend internal in-services as directed.
Maintain current knowledge of the Medicare Hospice Benefit, billing issues, regulations, compliance, palliative care, and end-of-life care.
Attend monthly team meetings, general staff meetings, and committee meetings; participate in agency events and special projects as assigned.
Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws, HIPAA requirements, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and other regulatory requirements; maintain current knowledge of SNF and RCFE regulations.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.