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Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role:

Job Summary

Responsible as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team for assigned functions related to admissions of patients, provision of service information and liaison activities with inpatient and outpatient institutions and groups identified as sources of referrals consistent with agency policies and procedures. Coordinates continuity of care and discharge planning from hospital settings. Following admission, ensures smooth transition of new patients to primary nurse and other team members.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications: Georgia RN licensure. Current BLS certification.

• Educational Requirements: Associates Degree. Graduate from a state approved professional school of nursing.

• Minimum Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of clinical nursing experience with emphasis on care of adults in acute care medical and surgical areas/home care preferred.

• Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications: CHPN.

• Preferred Educational Requirements:

• Preferred Experience: Additional experience with children and infants. One (1) year hospice experience.

• Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong clinical nursing skills

• Excellent assessment and problem solving skills.

• Flexible and proactive

• Excellent customer service, communication and interpersonal skills

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Assesses the appropriateness of patient admission to the hospice program based on state, federal and regulatory requirements, hospice admission criteria and in consultation/coordination with attending physician and hospice Medical Director. Completes the admission visit utilizing specialized format of the agency and within specified time frame. Performs complete and thorough assessment. Collaborates with the attending physician, hospice Medical Director, hospice intake department, and referral source.

• Initiates development of plan of care with participation of the patient, family, hospice interdisciplinary team, medical director, and attending physician in accordance with agency, state, federal and regulatory requirements and accrediting body standards.

• Provides patient/family/caregivers with information on hospice program of care and services, payor benefits, financial liability, Advance Directives and complaint process in accordance with state and federal regulations and agency policy and procedure.

• Implements, evaluates and revises nursing care and medical care plans in coordination with the physician and IDT. Follows acceptable standards of nursing practice in initial nursing assessment and subsequent nursing visits.

• Documents according to agency policy utilizing the nursing process and incorporating necessary reimbursement issues. Completes patient charting within 24 hours of each visit on 100% of patients seen.

• Confirms primary payer on admission and ensures determination of the reimbursement arrangement. Communicates with payors as indicated. Completes necessary paperwork/documentation/procedures for the appropriate payer to ensure proper reimbursement in accordance with agency policy and procedure. Ensures accurate ICD-9 coding for all patients' terminal diagnoses.

• Participates in agency meetings including IDT meeting, staff meeting and discipline meetings.

• Communicates with appropriate members to the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team to ensure coordination of care for each patient admitted to the program, including problems/issues needing immediate attention.

• Consults with Medical Director and agency management staff regarding difficult/unusual patient situations that require further evaluation prior to admission of the patient.

• Manage patient/family care plan and accompanying services between time of admission and transition to primary nurse as necessary.

• Serves as staff liaison with physicians, hospital/institutional staff and discharge planners and community agencies. Works to improve communication and facilitate problem-solving between referral sources, medical facilities and Hospice program. Provides education to encourage timely and appropriate admissions to the program.

• Provides timely and relevant marketing information and feedback so that Hospice management is well informed regarding the overall healthcare dynamics and issues within the agency's service area.

• Maintains departmental productivity requirements.

• Assists primary nurses in management of their caseloads, provides coverage to Intake department, and assists with Utilization Review, Quality Assurance, and Performance Improvement activities as assigned.

• Participates in 24 hour on-call assignment as scheduled.

• Performs other duties as required.

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 100 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Weight Carried: Up to 50 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Vision: Moderate, Frequently 31-65% of time

• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Frequently 31-65%

• Standing/Walking: Frequently 31-65%

• Pushing/Pulling: Occasionally 0-30%

• Intensity of Work: Occasionally 0-30%

• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding, Driving

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.