Hospice Admissions Nurse - Howard, Carroll, and Western Baltimore Counties

GBMC HealthCare•Towson, MD

20d•$66,942 - $102,872

About The Position

The Hospice Admissions Nurse reports to the Admissions Team Manager and assesses patients in their residences or in hospitals, preparing them to enter the spectrum of services provided by Gilchrist Hospice Care. The nurse also serves as an ambassador for Gilchrist Hospice Care within the service area. The role includes assessing patient and family needs and hospice eligibility; developing and implementing an initial care plan with Medical Director approval; providing direct nursing care and patient/caregiver education; documenting clinical findings; coordinating equipment and other resources; and maintaining relationships with hospice referral sources and community healthcare administrators. The nurse obtains required consents and may attend to patients and families if a patient dies during a visit. The position requires a diploma, ADN, and/or BSN from an accredited institution and a current Maryland nursing license. Three years of nursing experience are required. Home Health or Hospice experience is preferred but not required. Candidates should have knowledge of infection-control precautions and safe nursing practices, strong time-management skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a patient- and family-focused approach, and skill using electronic medical records. The role also requires demonstrating GBMC Values: Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Teamwork, Ethical Behavior, and Results.

Requirements

Diploma, ADN, and/or BSN from an accredited institution.
Current Maryland nursing license.
Three years of nursing experience.
Knowledge of universal precautions for infection control and safe nursing practices for self-protection.
Strong time-management skills and ability to function with a changing daily schedule.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to focus on patients and families and provide patient/caregiver education.
Skill in using an electronic medical record (EMR).

Nice To Haves

Home Health or Hospice experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Complete initial assessments of patients and families or caregivers to determine hospice eligibility and needs, including physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental status.
Prepare and implement the initial care plan for the patient and family unit with Medical Director approval.
Provide direct nursing care to maintain the highest level of care.
Inform the Team Leader about the use of other team members, outside agencies, and community resources based on initial assessment findings.
Document clinical findings to establish initial hospice eligibility and participate in discharge planning as necessary, coordinating with patient-care, social-services, and other departments.
Teach family members or hired caregivers and patients care skills, including pain control, medication administration and titration within prescribed ranges, injections, blood draws for laboratory tests, IV management, dressing changes, hygiene, nutrition, and checking vital signs as ordered by a physician.
Ensure arrangements are made for equipment needed in the home setting.
Attend to the patient and family if the patient dies during a visit.
Participate in Admissions department projects and process-improvement strategies.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with potential hospice referral sources in the service area.
Meet with healthcare administrators in the community as a representative of Gilchrist Hospice Care.
Obtain necessary consents in accordance with applicable regulations and reimbursement policies.
Demonstrate GBMC Values of Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Teamwork, Ethical Behavior, and Results.