Elder Life Program Coordinator

Major Responsibilities:

• Responsible for screening, enrolling and orienting patients into the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) which includes interviewing patients, families and nursing staff, and reviewing medical records. Serves as a liaison between the HELP program and nursing staff to assure coordination of HELP services with standard nursing care.
• Assesses, develops and initiates individualized care plans of HELP intervention protocols, providing appropriate equipment, and updating the care plan as needed based on patients' needs and outcomes.
• Evaluates patients for unmet discharge planning needs and provides information to patients and families regarding community resources available.
• Collaborates with Volunteer Services to establish a recruitment plan for HELP volunteers. Coordinates volunteer services including arranging optimal patient coverage, volunteer training, educational programs and support meetings.
• Implements intervention protocols by assigning patient-appropriate activities to the volunteers and assures adequate volunteer and staff coverage for all interventions and activities. Participates in quality improvement initiatives and assures compliance with appropriate standards, ensuring quality patient care and outcomes to support achievement of the organization's strategic goals.
• Provides routine supervision and support of volunteers with ongoing feedback, and implements and coordinates volunteer retention measures. Records and monitors adherence of all volunteer interventions, providing progress reports as needed.
• Monitors and records adherence to all protocols and program outcome variables. Distributes, collects and collates patient satisfaction surveys to evaluate HELP services provided.
• Tracks all equipment in patient use and cleans and maintains equipment in working condition.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the team member practices, and
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.

Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 3 years of experience in clinical nursing including experience in providing care for geriatric patients.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Knowledge and skills in evidence-based nursing practice, interviewing, organizing, and in providing leadership.
• Demonstrates knowledge, skills and abilities to work with elderly patients/families. Presents self as a dignified professional with respect for elderly patients, families and hospital staff.
• Working knowledge of the components of quality and acute patient care needs specifically related to the area in which care will be performed.
• Maintains clinical expertise to effectively manage physical, emotional, psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients throughout the care continuum.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work independently and to work as part of an interdisciplinary team. Demonstrates ability to work well with physicians and other professionals in a direct and positive manner.
• Must be able to initiate, prioritize and manage multiple tasks with exceptional problem solving skills.
• Intermediate computer skills including experience in using electronic medical record, healthcare applications or similar products.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Exposed to a normal clinical environment.
• May be exposed to mechanical, chemical and blood and body fluids on an occasional basis. Therefore, must wear protective gear (gown, mask, goggles, gloves, etc.) as needed.
• Ability to sit and walk frequently, and occasionally stand and kneel. Must be able to squat, bend, climb, reach above shoulders and twist rarely during the work shift.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Must have functional extremity movement, sight and hearing.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.