Hospice Admissions Nurse

Advocate Health•Chicago, IL

13d•$38 - $57

About The Position

The Hospice Admissions Nurse serves the Chicago Metro area and surrounding suburbs and is responsible for admitting patients to hospice services. The nurse leads the interdisciplinary care team for each patient and family on their caseload, evaluates hospice eligibility and level of care, and coordinates an individualized, holistic plan of care in collaboration with patients, families, physicians, and the hospice interdisciplinary team. This role meets with patients and families to explain hospice services and obtain informed consent, coordinates certification of prognosis, reviews insurance and Medicare eligibility and benefits, and documents information to support billing. The nurse coordinates referrals, services, medications, supplies, home medical equipment, and facility placement when needed; provides effective handoffs; and offers hospice education and expertise to hospital and facility staff. The position is 32 hours per week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM. There are no on-call requirements. Travel between locations is required, with one weekend rotation per month and one summer and one winter holiday per year. Occasional overtime may be needed. The role involves visiting private residences and exposure to varying social and environmental conditions and frequent mechanical, electrical, chemical, and blood and body fluid hazards. Required protective equipment must be used as needed.

Requirements

Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the team member practices.
Associate's Degree in Nursing.
Typically, 2 years of direct patient care experience.
Valid driver's license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Excellent awareness and perception skills to assess patient needs and concerns and recognize changes in health condition.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to work independently and make sound judgments.
Excellent prioritization and organizational skills.
Excellent documentation, computer, and time-management skills.
Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance; use patient-handling equipment and another associate when available for patient lifts over 35 pounds or when the patient cannot assist.
Ability and willingness to travel throughout the Advocate Aurora service area in varied weather and road conditions and visit private residences, including locations that may not be accessible to people with disabilities.
Willingness to work occasional overtime if needed.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment and protective clothing as needed.

Responsibilities

Lead the interdisciplinary care team for each patient and family on the caseload.
Obtain patient history and complete physical assessments; use findings to evaluate hospice appropriateness and level of care in collaboration with the attending physician, medical director, and interdisciplinary team.
Explain hospice services to patients and families and obtain informed consent for hospice care.
Obtain and verify verbal certification of prognosis in conjunction with the medical director and interdisciplinary team.
Review insurance and Medicare eligibility and benefits, and document information supporting billing efforts.
Assess patient and family readiness and understanding of hospice services; involve them in care planning and implementation, seek consultation as needed, and initiate referrals to other disciplines.
Coordinate services and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to provide consistent patient care and communicate effectively for handoffs.
Arrange and recommend equipment, medical supplies, and other necessary items and services; coordinate delivery of medications, supplies, and home medical equipment.
Develop and implement an individualized, holistic plan of care and the multidisciplinary plan of treatment.
Facilitate appropriate placement in a contracted hospice facility when necessary.
Use effective communication, feedback, and conflict-resolution skills to promote collaboration among healthcare team members.
Develop and provide hospice education to inpatient hospital and facility staff as directed by the manager.
Serve as an expert resource to hospital and facility staff regarding hospice and palliative care services.
Travel to patients and locations throughout the service area and operate equipment necessary to perform the job.
Perform other related duties as required.