The admissions nurse orients and admits patients and families to hospice services, assesses needs, and plans and coordinates care in order to meet the end of life care needs of individuals and families in their homes and communities.

• Orients and admits patients and families to hospice services, assesses needs, and plans and coordinates care in order to meet the end of life care needs of individuals and families in their homes and communities.  
• Ensures comfortable transition of patient to hospice care by providing hospice education and orientation, patient education in disease process and preparation for end of life home care needs, plan of care initiation, and coordination of care with multiple hospice and non-hospice service providers.
• Reviews available medical records and completes initial assessment of patient to determine hospice appropriateness per Medicare guidelines. Requests additional documentation and information as needed.
• Documents complete history and physical assessment
• Develops a care plan based on patient and family end of life goals, using nursing diagnoses and incorporating palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient, family and when appropriate community providers such as facility staff, in the planning process.
• Initiates at the time of admission those preventative and palliative nursing procedures needed for patient comfort, safety and quality of life. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician. Documents response to interventions administered on admission as part of initial assessment.
• Arranges for needed delivery of supplies, equipment and medications.
• Confers with hospice Medical Director to ensure hospice appropriateness. Communicates with patient PCP regarding hospice admission, patient condition and initial plan of care. Requests and receives new orders as needed for pt comfort.
• Provides report to hospice on call team regarding new admission. Reports to Case Manager and other members of IDG to ensure prompt initiation of POC.
• Communicates with patient and family clearly, with respect, and in a manner that promotes patient dignity. Uses culturally competent communication that respectful of diverse communities.
• Uses therapeutic listening and communication techniques with patient and family. Teaches self-care techniques to patient and family as appropriate.
• Carefully guards patient right to privacy in accordance with values of respect dignity and HIPPA.
• Attends interdisciplinary group meetings as possible.
• 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-services classes.
• Participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.