Registered Nurse (RN) Home Health Admissions

Position Summary:

The Home Health Admissions Nurse performs consultation and admission visits to assess patient and family needs, collaborate with the attending physician, and help determine the patient’s clinical eligibility for home health care; completes the admission assessment and appropriate documentation for Peoples Home Health. RN is responsible for the delivery of home health services to clients. The nursing process is used as a basis for assessing, planning, implementing, communicating, teaching, coordinating and evaluating services. The RN provides for the spiritual, emotional and psychological needs of the clients. The RN provides leadership to nursing staff and assures that nursing care complies with physician orders and meets client, HCFA and departmental requirements.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Performs consultation and/or admission visit to assess patient/family needs and collaborate with the patient’s attending physician to determine the patient’s clinical eligibility for home health care. 
• Completes admission assessment and documentation for Peoples Home Health. 
• Performs client assessment and identifies problems to be addressed. Evaluates client needs, families and home environment.
• Communicates Plan of Care with the appropriate physicians.
• Evaluates progress toward goals. 
• Identifies, documents and reports signs and symptoms of altered health status to physician. Obtains appropriate orders to increase/decrease visit frequency. Obtains medical orders to alter treatment plan to refer to other services when appropriate (Social Services, Rehab.).
• Administers meds and treatment according to Plan of Care.
• Teaches nursing care appropriate to client’s condition. Teaching based on client/caregiver level of understanding and is properly reflected in documentation.
• Assists in the coordination of care, to include preventative and rehabilitative therapy after consultation with client/family appropriate therapist or other health team member. Participates in intra-disciplinary team conferences as required.
• Documents client records according to agency policy. Completes clinical notes, Plan of Care and medication records in a timely, legible and accurate manner.  
• Notes progress towards discharge planning. Communicates with physician and other disciplines regarding discharge planning.
• Supervises the LPN and Home Health Aide to ascertain compliance with Plan of Care.
• Assists with supervision of Home Health Aides visits in home at least every 14 days and documents visit in the clinical record to ascertain quality of care rendered.
• Utilizes knowledge of nursing, biological, social science and payer reimbursement to assist with the development and revision of a medical plan of care.
• Demonstrates safety precautions in compliance with OSHA, CHAP, and Federal and State standards.
• Operates medical equipment correctly for client care.
• Documents services, client condition and response to treatment.
• Maintains current knowledge of nursing and home care agency’s policies and procedures.
• Participates in orientation of professional staff as requested by management.
• Supervises field staff with on site visits and evaluations on an occasional basis.
• Participates in peer review, QM activities and chart audits as required.
• Participates in the PI program by utilizing suggestion boxes, customer service, and brings matters to attention of management staff.
• Maintains an understanding of the company’s scope of services.
• Maintains a professional image.
• Uses appropriate phone etiquette. 
• Promotes a customer friendly atmosphere for all visitors and ensures client confidentiality at all times. 
• Participates in accreditation program.
• Participates in call schedule according to the needs of the agency.
• Submits all clinical documentation in a timely manner according to agency policy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Participates in in-service program.
• Participates in Staff development programs.

Education/Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited RN program required. 
• Minimum one year experience as an RN with one year experience in Home Health (home health experience may be waived).  
• Experience in geriatrics helpful.  
• Work experience denoting communication and assessment skills.

Licenses, Certifications and/or Registrations:

• Current RN license in the State of Florida. 
• Current CPR certification.  
• Current driver’s license and valid auto insurance. 
• Completion of 25 CEU’s bi-annually.  

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions. The employee works in varied residential environments based on assigned caseload.