Riverside Hospice | Admissions SOC RN | Part Time NE | Grants Pass, OR

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY: 

The SOC or Admission Registered Nurse plans, organizes and directs hospice care and is experienced in nursing, 

with emphasis on community health education/experience.  The professional nurse builds from the resources of the community to plan and direct services to meet the needs of individuals and families within their homes and communities. 

The Registered Nurse will be dedicated to the Mission, Core Values and Care Commitments of Riverside and will work diligently to provide “Life Changing Service.”

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1.   Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process and as defined in the 
state Nurse Practice Act. 

2.   Works with intake, Clinical Manager, and/or DPS to coordinate patient start of care in a timely 
manner. 

3.   Educates patient/caregiver regarding regulatory components for hospice admission. Documentation 
of this education will be completed in the patient’s medical record.   

4.   Obtains verbal order Certification of Terminal Illness from Medical Director and Attending 
Physician, if any. 

5.   Obtains consents for hospice services. 

6.   Completes an initial comprehensive assessment of patient and family/caregiver to determine care 
needs. 

7.   Completes a comprehensive medication review and reconciliation. 

8.   Establishes the initial individualized plan of care in collaboration with the attending physician, if any, 
and hospice medical director based on comprehensive assessment and patient goals.  

9.   Admission documentation is completed within 24 hours. 

10. Attends required staff meetings and interdisciplinary group meetings. 

Additional Duties 

1.    Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy. 

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

3.    Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required. 

4.    Coordinates patient care in tandem with RN Case Manager as assigned by Clinical Manager.  

5.    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. 

6.    Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments. 

7.    Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities or other 
committees as assigned. 

8.    May be required to work outside of designated geographical area based on census fluctuations and 
current staffing. 

9.    Completes mandatory education requirements annually to maintain competence. 

10.  May be required to visit patients in homes that are not clean, or in poor repair, have poor ventilation, are 
infested with insects or rodents, and secondhand smoke. 

11.  Driving conditions may be difficult related to weather and/ or traffic.  

12.  Maintains knowledge of and adheres to all applicable laws, rules, and standards. 

13.  Participates in the orientation of new employees and preceptorship of students as assigned.  

14.  Meets productivity expectations. 

The Admission Registered Nurse may be asked to complete other duties including standard nursing visits  and/or RN case management depending on current agency needs. These duties are as follows:   

Patient Care   

1.    Completes ongoing comprehensive assessment of patient and family/caregiver to determine hospice 
needs.  Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es). 

2.    Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by: 

A.   Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs. 

B.   Participating in revising the plan of care in collaboration with the attending physician, if any, and  
hospice medical director as the patient status and needs change. 

3.    Develops a care plan that establishes interventions and goals incorporating palliative nursing actions. 
Includes the patient and the family/caregiver in the planning process. 

4.    Works autonomously to initiate appropriate preventive and palliative care nursing procedures. 
Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care.   

5.    Involves the patient and family/caregiver to address needs and meet related goals. 

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

7.    Facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency or obtaining appropriate caregiving and optimal 
comfort care. 

8.    Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Manager and assumes responsibility to coordinate 
patient care for assigned caseload. 

Communication 

1.    Documents patient services and status timely and accurately within professional practice standards and 
reimbursement requirements. 

2.    Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate. 

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

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

5.    Sets up an individual emergency preparedness plan. 

6.    Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provides medication, diet 
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. 

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

8.    Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice interdisciplinary group to meet the 
emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver. 

The above statements are intended 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. 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: 

1.    Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. One (1) to two (2) years of recent acute care experience in 
an institutional setting, and one (1) to two (2) years of recent experience in hospice preferred. 

2.    Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State(s) of planned practice.  

3.    Possesses and maintains CPR certification. 

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

5.    Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, basic math 
skills; nursing skills per competency checklist. 

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

7.    Capable of prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift, position and/or transfer patients.  
Able to lift supplies and equipment. Capable of considerable reaching, stooping bending, kneeling, 

and/or crouching. Possesses visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills.