Hospice Admissions Nurse (RN)

Position Overview

The Hospice Admissions Nurse is responsible for clinically evaluating hospice referrals, guiding patients and families through the hospice decision-making process, and ensuring timely, compliant, and high-quality admissions. This role sits at the intersection of clinical excellence, customer experience, and growth execution.

The Admissions Nurse is accountable for accurate eligibility determination, exceptional patient and family education, and efficient conversion of referrals to admissions, while maintaining strong, trust-based relationships with hospital partners and referral sources.

This role requires strong clinical judgment, emotional intelligence, urgency, and professionalism. Admissions Nurses are expected to operate with autonomy, accountability, and a deep sense of ownership over outcomes.

Schedule: Full-time availability

Compensation: Starting compensation range $50.00 - $60.00 hourly. Exact compensation will be based on job-related factors including experience, education, licensure, certifications, and location, in accordance with applicable laws.

Key Responsibilities

Referral Evaluation & Hospice Eligibility

• Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments to determine hospice eligibility in accordance with Medicare hospice regulations and organizational standards.
• Review referral documentation, medical records, physician notes, and diagnostics to support eligibility decisions.
• Collaborate with attending physicians, hospice medical directors, and interdisciplinary team members to confirm prognosis and appropriateness for hospice.
• Clearly document eligibility determinations, including supporting clinical rationale, in the EMR.

Patient & Family Education / Experience

• Serve as the primary clinical educator for patients and families regarding hospice philosophy, services, benefits, and expectations.
• Provide compassionate, clear, and culturally sensitive communication during emotionally complex conversations.
• Address patient and family questions, concerns, and barriers to hospice acceptance with empathy and professionalism.
• Ensure informed consent and alignment between patient goals of care and hospice services.

Admission Execution & Speed-to-Service

• Complete hospice admissions efficiently and accurately, ensuring all required consents, documentation, and physician orders are obtained.
• Coordinate admission logistics with intake, case management, clinical operations, and on-call teams.
  Support same-day and rapid admissions to meet patient needs and organizational speed-to-admission targets.
• Ensure smooth handoff to the assigned interdisciplinary care team following admission.

Hospital & Referral Partner Collaboration

• Act as a trusted clinical partner to hospital case managers, social workers, physicians, and nursing teams.
• Represent Loma Linda University Hospice professionally within hospital and community settings.
• Provide timely, accurate feedback to referral sources regarding admission decisions, next steps, or barriers.
• Strengthen hospital and referral relationships through responsiveness, credibility, and consistent follow-through.

Documentation, Compliance & Quality

• Ensure all admission documentation meets Medicare, state, and organizational compliance standards.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough clinical documentation in the EMR.
• Adhere to all hospice Conditions of Participation (CoPs), organizational policies, and SOPs.
• Participate in audits, chart reviews, and quality improvement initiatives as needed.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Actively manage assigned referral pipelines with accountability for outcomes.
• Participate in ongoing training, skills development, and performance feedback.
• Identify patterns in referral deferrals, non-admits, or delays and collaborate on process improvements.
• Contribute to a culture of transparency, urgency, and continuous improvement.

Performance Outcomes & Key Metrics

Growth & Access (40%)

• Referral-to-admission conversion rate at or above organizational benchmark
• Timely completion of admissions (same-day or within defined service-level expectations)
• Reduction in avoidable non-admits and referral leakage

Clinical Quality & Compliance (30%)

• Accurate hospice eligibility determinations
• Audit and chart review compliance ≥ 99%
• Zero material documentation deficiencies

Patient, Family & Partner Experience (20%)

• High patient and family satisfaction
• Positive feedback from hospital and referral partners
• Demonstrated professionalism, empathy, and responsiveness

Culture & Team Contribution (10%)

• Consistent demonstration of accountability, urgency, and emotional intelligence
• Effective collaboration with intake, operations, and clinical teams
• Active participation in training and continuous improvement initiatives

Required Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the applicable state
• Minimum of 2 years of hospice, palliative care, home health, or acute care experience (hospice admissions experience strongly preferred)
• Strong knowledge of hospice eligibility criteria and Medicare hospice regulations
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and clinical judgment skills
• Ability to manage complex conversations with patients and families during emotionally sensitive situations
• Proficiency with EMRs and clinical documentation systems
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior hospice admissions or intake experience
• CHPN (Certified Hospice & Palliative Nurse) or willingness to obtain
• Experience working in hospital-based or joint venture hospice models
• Bilingual skills (market-dependent)
   

Cultural Expectations

Admissions Nurses at Loma Linda University Hospice are expected to:

• Take full ownership of outcomes, not just tasks
• Operate with urgency while maintaining compassion and professionalism
• Communicate clearly, directly, and respectfully with all stakeholders
• Uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and emotional intelligence
• Serve as a trusted representative of Loma Linda University Hospice’s mission and values at all times

About Loma Linda University Hospice

Loma Linda University Hospice is dedicated to a patient-first mission, ensuring compassionate, high-quality care that supports patients and families through every stage of need. We are defined by data-driven excellence, operational transparency, and a steadfast commitment to its core values of Dignity, Integrity, Compassion, Excellence and Partnership. With an expanding network through partnerships, Loma Linda University Hospice is positioned for continued growth and innovation as it scales to new markets.

Loma Linda University Hospice is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. All employment decisions are based on job requirements, individual merit, and business need.