Hospice Liaison Nurse

GBMC Healthcare•Towson, MD

About The Position

The Hospice Liaison Nurse for Gilchrist Hospice Care generates and facilitates patient admissions from hospital-based referral sources, promotes admission growth, and performs or coordinates clinical assessments of prospective patients. The role is responsible for building successful relationships with area hospitals and representing Gilchrist and its services professionally. The position supports University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Maryland, and works with hospital teams to guide patients and families through transitions to hospice care in hospitals, homes, hospice locations, and nursing homes. The liaison develops referral relationships, stays informed about local medical markets and hospital discharge processes, educates the medical community about hospice services, and coordinates patient assessments and transitions. The role includes timely electronic documentation, collaboration with admission nurses and hospice staff, and communication with referral sources about patient status. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, with flexible schedules and no on-call or weekend responsibilities stated. The employee may need to perform admissions at homes or facilities when needed, including on holidays. The position requires an associate degree in nursing or a nursing diploma, a current Maryland Registered Nurse license, and at least three years of clinical experience. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license, a safe driving record, and an insured automobile meeting Gilchrist requirements. The work involves travel to the assigned hospital and physical activities related to patient care, as well as use of electronic records and communication equipment. Parking is paid by the organization.

Requirements

Associate degree in nursing or nursing diploma.
Current Maryland State Registered Nurse license.
Minimum of three years of clinical experience.
Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and an automobile insured in accordance with Gilchrist requirements.
Ability to support transitions to hospice in hospitals, homes, hospice locations, and nursing homes.
Ability to work with physicians, social workers, case managers, floor nurses, and other professionals.
Excellent professional communication, negotiation, presentation, and public relations skills.
Self-directed approach and ability to work with little supervision in a rapidly changing environment.
Flexibility in scheduling and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Strong clinical or psychosocial assessment and documentation skills.
Strong computer skills, including email, EMR, Word, and PowerPoint.
Ability to lift, reposition, and move patients, including bending, reaching, and twisting.
Ability to travel to the assigned hospital.
Sufficient dexterity to use electronic record systems, computers, keyboards, laptops, and related equipment.
Ability to visually inspect and observe patients’ health status and read medications, charts, and calibration and monitoring devices as appropriate.
Ability to communicate verbally about patient status, provide patient and family teaching, and interact with internal and external health care teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience in hospice, home health, critical care, emergency department, oncology, medical-surgical, or other acute care hospital settings is preferred.
Candidates with other relevant hospital experience are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Develop and foster hospital referral source acceptance and allegiance to Gilchrist.
Implement strategies to increase admissions from referral sources.
Maintain awareness of changes in the medical environment, industry competition, and assigned facilities’ discharge planning processes.
Build relationships with key institutional referral sources and respond promptly to their questions and presentation requests.
Explain end-of-life care services compassionately to patients, families, and hospital referral sources.
Deliver in-services, lunch-and-learns, and other presentations educating the medical community about Gilchrist, hospice philosophy, end-of-life care, and related topics.
Maintain knowledge of the Hospice Medicare Benefit and applicable insurance information, and communicate relevant information when needed.
Track liaison efforts, collaborate with Admissions and Business Development colleagues, and suggest improvements to processes and role practices.
Attend required meetings and contribute feedback and suggestions.
Follow HIPAA privacy and security requirements, Medicare Conditions of Participation, Joint Commission requirements, and other regulatory and compliance requirements.
Assist with Share Days for prospective employees and orient new nursing personnel to the Hospice Liaison Nurse role, policies, procedures, and practices.
Perform job functions in a fiscally responsible manner consistent with Gilchrist policies, mission, and vision.
Conduct eligibility and clinical assessment visits and coordinate transitions to Gilchrist services for patients referred from the assigned hospital.
Discuss clinical findings with hospital representatives when required.
Explain Gilchrist services to patients and families in an appropriate manner that supports appropriate admissions and a positive impression of Gilchrist.
Complete timely electronic documentation of eligibility visits and admissions using EMR-EPIC and other required systems.
Oversee pending referrals and partner with Hospice Admission RNs and hospice unit staff in the admission process.
Prioritize visits and duties when multiple referral sources need services or information.
Keep referral sources updated on patient care interactions and ongoing patient status, including death notifications.
Perform admissions nurse duties at homes and facilities when needed, including on holidays.
Perform other duties as reasonably required.
Demonstrate Gilchrist’s values of respect, excellence, accountability, teamwork, ethical behavior, and results.