Registered Nurse Case Manager - Northern NJ Counties
15 days ago
Newark
Job Description PRIMARY FUNCTION The VITAS RN is a member of the interdisciplinary team who work together to meet the physical, medical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs of hospice patients and families facing terminal illness and bereavement. The VITAS RN is designated to provide coordination of care, ensure continuous assessment of each patient’s and family’s needs, initiates interventions for patients and families and implementation and oversight of the interdisciplinary plan of care. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Follows VITAS policies and standards (See VITAS Standards Manual) and practices within the scope of the RN license and has knowledge of hospice eligibility requirements. Case Management and Supervision Coordinates all service delivery including review of entries in the record made by after hours, patient and family education, dispatching of interdisciplinary visits, and coordination of services with external vendors and resources as needed. Provides support and collaboration with IDG and after hours staff to ensure favorable patient outcomes. Supervision of (VITAS employed and contracted) nursing tasks delegated to Hospice Aides, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (and contracted Registered Nurses) and Volunteers per the plan of care. Reports any request to practice outside of scope of license to the manager/supervisor. Documents interactions with patients, families, contacts, and vendors in the patient record to include the assessment, plan of care, caller agreement to the plan, any actions and interventions and the resolution of each patient/family interaction at the time of the event. Completes in person visit documentation at the location of care unless otherwise directed. Provides education and training to patients, families, caregivers and referral sources in the care of the patient, including pain management. Participates in patient care meetings as assigned. Participates in bereavement support. Participates in the on-call rotation and/or provides shifts during non-business hours such as evenings, weekends and holidays based upon identified needs. Provides visits /shifts in program coverage area. Works with IDG to develop, coordinate, and follow the patient’s individualized plan of care. Obtains physician orders when necessary. Provides those services requiring substantial and specialized nursing skill. Evaluates the outcome of services. Appropriately delegates nursing tasks to Hospice Aides/Homemakers, Volunteers, and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses. Connecticut –For activities other than those listed in section 19-13D69(d)(3) of the Connecticut Department of Public Health delegated to a Hospice/Homemaker, the RN will document in the clinical record that: i. All factors pertinent to the patient’s safety, including the competence of the Hospice Aide/Homemaker have been assessed. ii. Determination that this activity can be delegated safely to a Hospice Aide/Homemaker. Provides nursing care including nursing tasks that may be delegated to other roles such as LPNs, HAs and Volunteers. Participates in and monitors patient and family care compliance activities. Professionally manages/coordinates the hospice plan of care. Provides and follows infection control practices. Delivers care in accordance with the patient’s plan of care. Provides primary nursing care for inpatient and continuous care patients as assigned. Participates in the orientation of new team members as assigned by the supervising manager. Attends regularly scheduled in-services, staff meetings, and educational conferences. Instructs and documents appropriate use of medications, home medical equipment and supplies. Appropriately utilizes the resources such as Pharmacy, HME, agency staff, and transportation services. Quality Improvement Participates in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program and related activities as assigned. This may include, but is not limited to participation in Performance Improvement Project(s) (PIP). Gathering clinical data which is used for quality measures. Professional Development Develops and achieves professional growth goals and objectives personally and per Team Manager reviews. Responsible for attending orientation and regularly scheduled in-services/educational conferences as assigned. Participates in orientation of Hospice Aides, Volunteers and other IDG members as assigned. Participates in training activities internally within VITAS and externally as assigned. Seeks certification in the specialty of hospice nursing when qualified to do so. Customer Service Maintains focus on the patient and family experience of care. Serves as a patient and family advocate. Reports patient/family/customer complaints to Team Manager. Participates in patient/family/customer conflict resolution as applicable. Represents the nursing profession, the VITAS site/location and VITAS overall in a positive manner. Serves as the patient and family advocate by communicating with the attending physicians, long term care facility staff, case managers, and others external to VITAS as necessary. Promotes a customer service-oriented approach to care delivery. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform any other job duties assigned by their supervisor or management. JOB REQUIREMENTS In order to see patients in-person must have reliable transportation to be used for work with adequate insurance coverage for driver and passengers as applicable. Cellular Telephone available. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this of seeing patients in-person, the employee is regularly required to: Assist in lifting and transferring patients, as required. Lift objects in excess of 20 pounds. Sit, stand or walk in excess of one hour per day. The employee will be required to sit and stoop, kneel, and crouch. Talk hear, and have visual abilities including close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. QUALIFICATIONS Currently licensed to practice nursing in the state where the VITAS program/patient is located. A minimum of one year of nursing experience. Equivalent experience or licensure may be considered. Ability to work as a team player and multi-task. Proficient in customer conflict resolution and crisis management. Thorough knowledge of professional nursing principles, methods and procedures; anatomy and physiology; medical supplies and equipment used in nursing practice; and the uses and effects of medications including narcotics. Working knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to registered nursing and the scope of practice limitations of clinic support staff. Ability to work weekends and holidays as necessary to support the operations of the Care Connection Center. ADDITONAL QUALIFICATIONS TO PROVIDE AFTER HOURS TRIAGE One year of customer service/call center experience preferred. Eligible for licensure in other states VITAS Triage services are located. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as demonstrated effective telephone skills. Ability to type 40 WPM. May be required to obtain additional nursing licenses, based on business needs. EDUCATION Graduate from an accredited school with an associate or bachelor’s degree in Nursing. ACCOMMODATIONS Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. DIRECTION RECEIVED Reports directly to the Team Manager.