Dierks Health and Rehab -
Purpose of Your Job Position
The primary purposes of your job position is to obtain required information, schedule and / or conduct Nursing Assessments (if qualified), and coordinate admission process for patients in an efficient manner, in accordance with established policies and procedures as directed, and to coordinate, direct, and administer policies, procedures, events, and projects relating to all phases of the public relations of the facility as directed, and in accordance with all regulations that govern the protection of rights of the patients and employees.
Delegation of Authority
As Community Relations you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.
Job Functions
Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.
Duties and Responsibilities
Administrative Functions
- Adhere to written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the Admissions and Community awareness department, as well as those governing Nursing Assessments (if qualified).
- Organize, implement, evaluate, and direct facility public relations and community awareness programs and activities while supporting and promoting the philosophy, goals, objectives, and programs of the facility.
- Ensure that disseminated information regarding the facility is accurate, and provide creative support for publications as necessary.
- Schedule / conduct facility tours for prospective patients and their families / representatives.
- Keep a supply of printed materials concerning the facility on-hand.
- Handle requests from, submit releases / ads / promotions to, monitor and maintain copies of facility-related stories in, and maintain a productive working relationship with the media and establish a clear understanding of patient and employee privacy rights.
- Represent the facility at top-level meetings and outside events as directed.
- Maintain an accurate record of available beds at all times.
- Maintain an accurate listing of all patients, their levels of care, assigned room numbers, and primary contact person at all times.
- Maintain an admission waiting list as applicable.
- Keep abreast of current Medicaid / Medicare and State / Federal regulations governing admission / discharge requirements of health care facilities.
- Maintain original admission and pre-admission paperwork on all current and former patients in restricted access areas in neat, easily-referenced order.
- Obtain required written information and patient histories and conduct Nursing Assessments (if qualified) (if qualified) on potential patients for admission eligibility evaluation and serve as a liaison between the Administrator, medical staff, and other professional and advisory staff both inside and outside the facility.
- Schedule, and interview patients / representatives to obtain required admission information, including identification records and copies, and signatures on all applicable admission paperwork, and conduct / participate in facility orientation for new patients and their families.
- Coordinate with Nursing to schedule admissions, transfers, and discharges of patients as required.
- Maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel as well as hospital discharge planners and social workers to maintain an effective referral network.
- Interpret the department’s policies and procedures to personnel, patients, visitors, and government agencies as required.
- Advise the Administrator of specific Admissions and Community relations problems.
- Perform miscellaneous secretarial, business office, and reception duties as required and directed.
- Take on additional duties and responsibilities that may become necessary to assure that the needs of the facility and it’s patients are met.
- Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.
Committee Functions
Serve on and attend various committee meetings of the facility (i.e., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Quality Assessment, etc.) as required.Staff Development Functions
Attend and participate in all required and directed in-service educational classes regarding public relations, or other topics, and on-the-job training programs, including annual OSHA and CDC required trainings.Attend workshops, seminars, etc., as approved.Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.Create an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility.Nursing Care Functions
Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc., and ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions.Greet newly admitted patients upon admission. Escort them to their rooms as necessary.Meet with patients, and / or family members, as necessary. Report problems to the Director.Assist in arranging transportation for discharged patients as necessary.Safety and Sanitation Functions
Participate in the implementation, and maintenance of the infection control program for monitoring communicable and / or infectious diseases among the patients and personnel.Follow ergonomics policies and procedures governing lifting techniques, repetitive tasks, and the use of safety equipment and supplies to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses.Participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of the procedures for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.Report missing / illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.Equipment and Supply Functions
Recommend to the Director the equipment and supply needs of the department, and ensure that supplies have been replenished in department work areas as necessary.Care Plan and Assessment Functions
Participate in the development of written preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the nursing needs of each patient that identifies the problems / needs of the patient, indicates the care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and which professional service is responsible for each element of care as necessary.Encourage the patient to participate in the development and review of his / her care plan.Review patient care plans for appropriate patient goals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs as directed.Ensure that all personnel involved in providing care to the patient are aware of the patient’s care plan.Patient Rights Functions
Maintain the confidentiality of all patient information.Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that nursing service personnel knock before entering the patient’s room.Assure that the patient’s rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, are maintained.Ensure that patients’ valuables are inventoried and deposited or a “Release from Responsibility” waiver is signed in accordance with established policies and procedures.Report and investigate all allegations of patient abuse and / or misappropriationof patient property.Working Conditions
Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the facility, and at outside locations (I.e., hospitals, physician offices, etc.).Moves intermittently during working hours.Is subject to frequent interruptions from patients, personnel, visitors, government agencies / personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset patients, family members, personnel, and visitors.Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, and is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).Is involved in community / civic health matters / projects as appropriate.Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.Is subject to exposure to hazardous chemicals, infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB, Covid variants, AIDS, Hepatitis B viruses and hazardous chemicals.Maintains a liaison with the patients, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the patients’ needs.Education
Must possess, as a minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, or it’s equivalent, unless specifically waived by Administrator based on experience.Must be a graduate of an approved LPN or RN program if required by Administrator to conduct Nursing Assessments.Experience
Must have experience in admissions and / or community awareness in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility.Specific Requirements
Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an LPN or RN in Arkansas if required to conduct Nursing Assessments.Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.Must possess the ability to deal patiently, tactfully, with a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm with personnel, patients, family members, visitors, government agencies / personnel, and the general public based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care, and specifically to the admission, discharge, and transfer of patients.Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.Must possess the ability to plan, organize, and effectively present ideals and concepts to community groups / agencies.Must possess the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.Must be able to relate information concerning a patient’s condition.Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.Must be willing to follow all company, state and regulatory policies related to Infection Control and Vaccination requirements.Physical and Sensory Requirements
With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position due to relating to and working with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people.Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of thisposition can be fully met.Must function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with patients, personnel, and support agencies.Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility.Must be able to push, pull, move, and / or lift a reasonable minimum of pounds to a reasonable height and be able to push, pull, move, and / or carry such weight a reasonable distance.May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of patients during emergency situations.
