Admissions/ Triage RN

JOB SUMMARY 

The triage registered nurse plans, organizes and directs hospice care and is experienced in nursing, with emphasis on community health education/experience, is responsible for the after-hours care needs of our patients and ensures the proper coordination of the on-call staff.   The professional nurse builds from the resources of the community to plan and direct services to meet the needs of individual and families within their homes and communities. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

Patient Care 

• Completes initial, comprehensive, and ongoing assessments of patient and family to determine hospice needs.   

• Provides a complete physical assessment with history of current illness and prior medical information.  

• Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process. 

• Assesses and evaluates patient’s status. 

• Performs treatments, including wound care, as directed by the RN Case Manager. 

• Uses health assessment data to determine patient’s hospice diagnosis. 

• Follows a plan of care based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions. 

• Includes the patient and the family in the treatment process.  

• Regularly re-evaluates patient and family/caregiver need and participates in revising the plan of care as necessary 

• Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care. 

• Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs. 

• Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan. 

• Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts towards comfort care. 

• Conducts patient visits and gathers information for RN Case Manager. 

• Report patient treatment to Case Manager and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care through after-hours. 

• Reports changes in the patient’s physical condition or care needs to PCP. 

• Obtains and records physician’s orders as needed. 

• Orders medications, DME, and other supplies to be delivered to patient as needed. 

• Documents patient care. 

• Works with Admissions Coordinator and admissions team to ensure timely evaluation and admission of patients to hospice when admission is scheduled outside of normal business hours. 

• Ensures seamless transition of patients to hospice care by providing direct oversight of patient education and preparation for hospice care, plan of care initiation, and coordination of care with multiple service providers. 

Communication 

• Coordinates with the after-hours triage answering service during non-business hours and addresses the needs of the caller to the best of their ability 

• Completes, maintains, and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given.  Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate. 

• Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required. 

• Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan. 

• Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate.   

• Provides medication and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers.   

• Works in concert with the interdisciplinary group. 

• Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient. 

• Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care. 

Additional Duties 

• Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available. 

• Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required. 

• 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. 

• Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted assignments. 

• Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities. 

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

JOB REQUIREMENTS (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities) 

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with a current license for the state of Arizona as a Registered Nurse. 

• Minimum of two years of nursing experience with hospice or home care preferred. 

• Management experience not required.  Responsible for supervising hospice aides. 

• Demonstrates excellent observation, problem solving, verbal and written communications, and nursing skills per competency checklist. 

• Shows ability to organize and prioritize workload independently. 

• Prolonged or considerable walking or standing.  Able to lift, position, and/or transfer patients.  Able to lift supplies and equipment.  Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and/or crouching.  Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills. 

• Maintains a current CPR certification. 

• Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state or organization requirements and is in good working order. 

• Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision. 

• Must possess a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.