Hospice Nurse Liaison

Job Description

The Hospice Nurse Liaisons serve in a consultant role, acting as an advocate for area hospice programs and providing education for healthcare professionals. The purpose of this jointly sponsored project between the hospitals and the hospices is to improve care for all patients who are terminally ill and specifically to provide better management of hospice patients.

1. Develops a hospice presence in the hospital, attending and facilitating rounds and care conferences when possible, conferring with providers, speaking at in-service meetings, attending committee meetings, and participating in new staff orientation.
2. Develops, educates, implements and serves as a consultant to hospital medical professionals concerning hospice programs, palliative care, and pain management and about hospice. Medicare/Medicaid/commercial reimbursements.
3. Act as a liaison and advocate for hospice patients admitted to the hospital.
4. Ensures the hospice plan of care is adhered to during the in-patient admissions.
5. Helps determine if inpatient admission of hospice patient is related to terminal illness.
6. Works with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other medical professionals to assure only palliative care is administered to admitted hospice patients.
7. Assess each consult to determine the appropriateness for hospice admission, based on individual hospice criteria.
8. Informs appropriate hospital patients and their families about the hospice philosophy, goals and services.
9. For patients deemed appropriate for hospice, conduct a full assessment and if appropriate, inpatient admission according to the established protocol.
10. Makes appropriate referrals to hospice programs on discharge.
11. Works with individual hospice programs, hospital personnel, patient/family and physician to assure smooth discharge process.
12. Encourages timely consideration by hospital staff and physicians for hospice as an alternative mode of care, assisting in identification of appropriate patients for the purpose of improved palliation of symptoms and supportive care for terminally ill patients.
13. Performs other duties as agreed on by the Director of Patient Care Services and Area Director of Business Development.

Qualifications

1. Licensed Vocational Nurse or Registered nurse with current licensure to practice professional nursing in the State.
2. Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited program by the National League for Nursing, preferred.
3. Minimum of two (2) years of experience in general nursing practice, hospice experience and/or palliative, end of life care preferred.
4. Excellent understanding of performance improvement, quality assurance, and utilization management.
5. Ability to work well with others, function well under pressure, and function independently.
6. Complies with accepted professional standards and practice.
7. Complies and maintains current CPR certification.
8. Demonstrates excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills.
9. Participation in Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement Program and Home Health Agency sponsored training.
10. Maintains Driver's License and Automobile Insurance coverage.

Additional Information

Here at Bridge Home Health and Hospice, we are committed to our employees and their well-being. Benefits Include:

• Competitive compensation
• Dynamic, fun, team-oriented work environment
• Countless growth and development opportunities
• Flexible Schedules
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Company Paid Life insurance
• Mileage Reimbursement
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Days
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401K
• FSA

And so much more!