SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Admissions Registered Nurse coordinates and plans admissions, provides information to health care providers, and provides skilled nursing assessment care to the patient as prescribed by the attending physician or designee and in compliance with the policies and procedures of Centrica Care Navigators.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Primary Duties

1. Requests current history and physical, prognosis, and other pertinent information from the attending physician or designee.
2. Utilizes the nursing process to evaluate and provide professional services to the patient.
3. Assesses and evaluates patient's status by:      
   1.  Writing and initiating the Plan of Care;
   2. Initiating orders for medications and durable medical equipment, as prescribed by the                  attending physician or designee; and
   3.  Applies preventative and therapeutic nursing procedures and techniques as appropriate for the patient.
4. Completes relevant clinical notes and reports findings to the Hospice Interdisciplinary Group after the initial assessment has been completed.
5. Provides initiation visits to patient/families/caregivers in the community, in hospitals, and other places of residence who seek information about Centrica Care Navigators.
6. Contacts insurance providers as needed for benefit clarification.
7. Provides information about insurance, payment plans, and benefit options to allow patient/family/caregiver to make informed choices about Hospice and Hospice home health care programs.
8. Coordinates and provides information to nursing homes, adult foster care homes, assisted living center, and other facilities as needed.
9. Completes reports on referral/intake activities and other data necessary to allow statistics to be collected on patient contacts.
10. Processes workflow in electronic medical record as needed.
11. Attends Interdisciplinary Group meetings as appropriate.
12. Stays informed about changes in the field of Hospice care; shares information with appropriate Hospice personnel and administrative personnel.
13. Promotes Hospice referrals in the community; maintains a good standing in the community.
14. Individualizes and teaches the patient/family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate.
15. Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and the Interdisciplinary Group members to meet the emotional and nutritional needs of the patient /family/caregiver.
16. Accepts responsibility of assignment to perform a specialized procedure, such as IV Therapy, only when qualified with specialty training, proven competency, clinical back­ground, and expertise in the specialty area.
17. Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continu­ing education and in-service classes.
18. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments

Duties

1. Actively participates in agency-wide performance improvement activities.
2. Adheres to Centrica Care Navigator’s standards of personal and professional conduct.
3. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the Hospice philosophy of care, agency mission, and vision.
4. Ensures that all necessary information is shared with appropriate personnel.
5. Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators Workplace Safety Program.
6. Understands and complies with Hospice Medicare and Medicaid conditions of participation.
7. Complies with applicable local, federal and state regulations, Quality Partners standards, compliance guidelines, privacy protections and protected health information.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPIERNCE

1. Is a graduate of an accredited school of professional (registered) nursing.  BSN preferred.
2. Maintains license as a Registered Nurse from the State of Michigan.
3. At least one (1) year's general nursing experience is required with current Hospice; medical, surgical, or critical care experience.  Experienced in providing pain/symptom management, IV skills preferred.
4. Maintains current BLS certification.
5. Experience with issues concerning the terminally ill, and death/dying, and pain and symptom management.
6. Presents a negative TB skin test and/or chest X-ray and other tests as required by Centrica Care Navigators.
7. Maintains a valid Michigan driver’s license and has the availability of a reliable, licensed and insured vehicle for use on the job, vehicle must be insured in accordance with the State of Michigan.
8. Remains up-to-date on all routine immunizations required by LARA and agency policy.

TYPES OF EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer, calculator, and a wide variety of medical/clinical and patient educational equipment, tools, and supplies.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS

1. Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, critical thinking, and nursing skills.
2. Excellent organizational skills.
3. Ability to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values.
4. Good internal and external organizational sensitivity.
5. Strong clinical skills with emphasis on knowledge of physical assessment.
6. Familiar with various reimbursements and the implications for case management.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. General office, multi-office sites, and floors.
2. In and out of automobile.
3. Community and home environment, including hospitals, medical office practices, adult foster care homes, assisted living, nursing homes, or other residence of the patient.
4. Exposure to infectious disease.
5. Frequent telephone activity.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

A typical workday includes intermittent sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, twisting, and occasionally carrying 0 - 50 pounds (1 to 33% of time), pushing, pulling, and repetitive hand motions associated with writing and computer keyboard typing.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Centrica Care Navigators staff are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, staff are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities. All staff must attend mandatory educational programs.