Hospice Clinical Liaison - Full Time - Central Coast

Job Description Summary

The Hospice Clinical Liaison performs patient assessments and completes admissions to hospice services. In addition, the Hospice Clinical Liaison exercises independent clinical judgment in evaluating patient eligibility for hospice services, coordinating transitions of care, facilitating regulatory compliance, and serving as a clinical resource to referral sources, patients, families, and staff. The position also supports clinical operations, quality initiatives, and management functions as delegated by the Director of Clinical Services.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

• Conduct a preliminary assessment of patient needs and urgency for treatment
• Assess patient needs and facilitate referrals for hospice services.
• Educate patients and families regarding hospice benefits, services, eligibility requirements and the plan of car.
• Obtain and verify physician orders as a licensed RN in accordance with California scope of practice requirements and Medicare Conditions of Participation.
• Coordinate with discharge planners, case managers, and referral coordinators to facilitate patient transitions to hospice care.
• Performs hospice evaluations and admissions
• Provides education to community and referral sources as needed
• Act as a clinical resource to employees, patients, families, and referral sources
• Perform delegated Clinical Manager and/or Director of Patient Care Services responsibilities during planned absences, including clinician support, patient care issue resolution, admissions oversight, electronic medical record management, and regulatory compliance activities.
• All other duties as assigned.

Clinical Judgment / Professional Duties

• Independently review clinical referral information, diagnoses, medications, and supporting documentation to determine hospice eligibility and appropriateness of services.
• Utilize professional nursing judgment to identify patient needs, clinical risks, and barriers to services and develop recommendations for appropriate care transitions
• Serve as a clinical consultant to physicians, hospital personnel, discharge planners, case managers, and community partners regarding hospice eligibility criteria, services, and regulatory requirements.

Leadership / Clinical Oversight

• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case conferences, and care coordination activities to support quality patient outcomes and continuity of care
• Provide clinical guidance and support to field clinicians regarding hospice admission requirements, regulatory standards, and documentation expectations.
• Provide education and clinical support to referral sources, new employees, and clinical personnel regarding hospice services and organizational standards

Quality & Compliance

• Participate in quality assurance, performance improvement, utilization review, and compliance activities as assigned.
• Identify compliance concerns and make recommendations to leadership to improve processes, patient outcomes, and regulatory adherence

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed.

Job Qualifications

• Ability to advocate for patient centered care and possesses the ability to assess patient care needs and risks
• Must be a licenses Registered Nurse (RN) in state of California.
• Understanding of Hospice Medicare Conditions of Participation and eligibility requirements.
• Knowledge of Hospice Medicare Conditions of Participation, hospice regulatory requirements, quality assurance processes, and healthcare compliance standards.
• Ability to analyze clinical information and make independent recommendations regarding hospice appropriateness, admissions, and care coordination.
• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience participating in interdisciplinary team coordination, quality improvement, or clinical operations preferred.
• At least two years of experience in nursing, hospice experience preferred.
• Experience in working with healthcare providers who oversee the discharge process of patients to their home setting.
• Understanding of community services, post-acute care options, and payer systems (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance)
• Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR), HCHB knowledge preferred.
• Ability to collaborate with physicians.
• Strong communication skills and ability to interact tactfully with customers and the community.
• Demonstrates autonomy, organization skills, assertiveness, flexibility, and cooperation.
• Perform delegated Clinical Manager and/or Director of Patient Care Services responsibilities during planned absences, including clinician support, patient care issue resolution, admissions oversight, electronic medical record management, and regulatory compliance activities.
• CHPN certification preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license for the state in which they work, as well as maintain current and valid auto insurance.
• Must be willing and able to travel locally daily to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and patient homes as needed.

Physical Requirements:

• The ability to sit occasionally for 1-3 hours.
• The ability to frequently stand for 3-6 hours.
• The ability to occasionally drive/ operate foot control for 1-3 hours
• The ability to walk intermittently on level and or unlevel surface for less than 1 hour
• The ability to intermittently bend or climb for less than 1 hour.
• The ability to occasionally twist, kneel, crouch and crawl for 1-3 hours
• The ability to lift 50 pounds frequently for 3-6 hours
• The ability to lift greater than 50 pounds occasionally for 1-3 hours.
• The ability to carry up to 50 pounds frequently for 3-6 hours.
• The ability to carry greater than 50 pounds occasionally for 1-3 hours.
• The ability to push up to 50 pounds frequently for 3-6 hours.
• The ability to push greater than 50 pounds occasionally for 1-3 hours.
• The ability to pull up to 50 pounds frequently for 3-6 hours
• The ability to pull greater than 50 pounds occasionally for 1-3 hours.