Hospice Admissions Nurse RN

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Hospice Admission Nurse is responsible for conducting timely hospice admission assessments, educating patients and families about hospice services, coordinating with physicians and the interdisciplinary team, and facilitating appropriate admissions in accordance with physician orders, patient eligibility requirements, agency policies, and applicable regulatory standards. The nurse serves as a key clinical contact for patients, families, referral sources, and healthcare professionals throughout the admission process.

• Conduct initial and comprehensive nursing assessments of patients and families to identify clinical needs and determine appropriate hospice services.
• Complete a thorough physical assessment and obtain a relevant medical history, including current and previous illnesses.
• Evaluate patient conditions, symptoms, functional status, and care needs in accordance with hospice admission requirements.
• Coordinate and facilitate timely hospice admissions, including completion of required documentation.
• Communicate with attending physicians and the hospice medical director to obtain necessary orders and support eligibility determinations.
• Initiate and contribute to individualized plans of care in collaboration with the patient, family, physicians, and interdisciplinary team.
• Explain the hospice philosophy, scope of services, and available levels of care to patients and families and let them know which curative treatments will be discontinued.
• Provide compassionate guidance to patients and caregivers as they make informed decisions about end-of-life care.
• Address questions and concerns regarding comfort-focused care, symptom management, and the hospice care process.
• Promote dignity, respect, comfort, and emotional support for patients and their loved ones.
• Provide professional nursing care using the nursing process and established clinical standards.
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed and authorized within the patient's plan of care and applicable nursing scope of practice.
• Document assessments, admission activities, communications, and clinical findings accurately and promptly.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to develop, review, and revise patient plans of care.
• Maintain regular communication with the Director of Nursing regarding patient admissions, caseload, clinical concerns, and care coordination.
• Collaborate with physicians, hospitals, nursing facilities, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to support continuity of care.
• Participate in the agency's on-call rotation in accordance with established policies.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements and applicable federal and Illinois regulations.
• Demonstrate professionalism, compassion, sound clinical judgment, and effective time management.
• Travel throughout Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties to complete admissions and related clinical responsibilities.
• Maintain positive working relationships with referral partners and healthcare providers.
• Educates caregivers on safety and emergency preparedness, including safe use of medical equipment.
• Guide families through complex paperwork to obtain informed consent and officially elect the hospice benefit.
• Develops an effective working relationship with representatives from other agencies who provide services for assigned patients.

• This is a field-based position requiring travel to patients' homes, hospitals, nursing facilities, and other healthcare settings throughout Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties.