Float/Admission Nurse

Hope Hospice•New Braunfels, TX

About The Position

The Float/Admission Nurse responds to hospice referrals, performs initial assessments, coordinates the plan of care with the interdisciplinary team, and provides nursing care in patients’ homes as needed or when assigned. The role covers patient needs when the assigned RN Care Manager is off duty and may also involve duties as a Care Manager. The nurse admits patients during normal business hours and may also perform admissions on weekends and holidays when assigned. This is a full-time, exempt position with hours of 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The nurse travels to patient homes and nursing facilities and works in varied home and office environments, including potentially stressful circumstances. The position reports to the Assistant Director of Patient Care Services / Clinical Team Leader.

Requirements

Graduate of an approved school of nursing.
Current licensure to practice professional nursing in the State of Texas.
Reliable transportation, a valid Texas driver’s license, and automobile insurance.
One or more years of clinical nursing experience.
Understanding of family dynamics, conflict resolution, and principles of adult learning.
Pain and symptom management skills, crisis intervention expertise, and patient/family teaching and counseling skills.
Suitable professional appearance, behavior, attitude, and integrity.
Ability to work independently and deal effectively with people.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Computer knowledge.
Critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and prioritization skills, and ability to keep timely, accurate, and orderly records.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel to patient homes and nursing facilities.
Ability to perform under varied home conditions and circumstances.
Sufficient manual dexterity to handle IV procedures, specimens, equipment, and medications.
Ability to repeatedly lift, carry, push, and pull more than 50 pounds and carry agency-provided electronic equipment.
Ability to communicate in writing and verbally, in person and by telephone.
Ability to perform duties involving standing, walking, stooping, sitting, and reaching.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree preferred.
Emphasis on assessment skills and an interdisciplinary approach preferred.
One year of experience as a case manager for Hope Hospice preferred.

Responsibilities

Respond to hospice needs of patients and families when the assigned RN Care Manager is off duty or when assigned Care Manager duties.
Perform and document patient assessments, communicate admission findings, and report appropriately to the patient’s attending physician and/or Medical Director.
Schedule patient visits based on acuity and seek assistance as appropriate.
Provide bedside nursing care, perform nursing procedures, and administer ordered medications and treatments.
Assist patients, families, and caregivers at the time of death, including pronouncing death, preparing the body, arranging funeral home removal, notifying appropriate authorities, and arranging medication disposal and equipment removal in accordance with hospice policy.
Listen and communicate sensitively, determining when other health professionals should be contacted.
Provide and receive nursing reports and report changes in patient condition.
Document assessments, medications, treatments, and responses accurately and completely at the time of care delivery.
Complete electronic communications and documentation accurately, completely, and on time in accordance with policies, rules, and regulations.
Participate in nurses’ meetings, bereavement meetings, and other activities as needed.
Communicate with interdisciplinary team members and facility staff.
Educate patients about hospice services and assess their needs and preferences.
Admit patients during normal business hours and on weekends and holidays when assigned.
Create opportunities for new referrals in the community and present Hope Hospice programs and services as a member of the agency-wide marketing team.
Support Hope Hospice’s philosophy and objectives; maintain current professional licensure or certification and comply with professional practice rules.
Stay current with governmental and accreditation requirements, agency policies and procedures, and professional knowledge and competency.
Maintain confidentiality, ethical behavior, professional appearance, and integrity.
Promote teamwork through cooperation, mutual respect, flexibility, and dependability; participate in appropriate meetings and activities, including Performance Improvement.
Use resources responsibly, practice self-care, and attend or read professional development materials as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Four weeks of vacation, two weeks of sick time, three personal days, and eight paid holidays.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage paid 100% for the employee; competitive plan cost for dependents.
Health Savings Account with matching employer contributions of up to $100 per month.
Company-paid long-term disability, life and accidental/dismemberment coverage, and Employee Assistance Programs.
Additional life and accident, critical illness, FSA/dependent care, short-term disability, and other voluntary benefits.
403(B) Retirement Savings Plan with company match up to 5%.
Mileage reimbursement.
Competitive pay.
End-of-year gift.
Tuition assistance.