RN-DISCHARGE PLANNER

Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

Discharge Planner/Case Manager- RN - Full Time

Job Summary: Provides direct and indirect patient care. Coordinates the assessment, planning and implementation of healthcare needs for patients who will be discharged from the hospital to home. Communicates with the patient’s physicians, nurse and Nurse Manager. Additionally, is able to perform general nursing duties in all departments with adequate supervision. Participates in the department’s performance improvement program.

Demonstrates   Competency in the Following Areas:

Assesses patients and families for   post discharge needs. Completes a   comprehensive assessment of the patient’s discharge needs. Updates this assessment throughout the   patient’s hospital stay.

Involves the patient and family in   discharge planning; informs patients/families of discharge planning options   based on the patient’s diagnoses, prognoses, available resources and   patient/family preference for home care services.

Implements timely discharge plans for   patients.

Assesses patient/family learning   needs during the discharge process.

Arranges for follow-up care as   appropriate. Works in coordination   with Social Service.

Makes referrals based on the   patient’s needs and according to the standards of the patient care unit.

Demonstrates thorough knowledge of   the hospital’s discharge process and related policies and procedures.

Assists the admission nurse and the   patient’s nurse with the development of a plan of care.

Collects and tracks data for the   patient care unit. Notes trends   related to discharge delays and makes suggestions to the unit Nurse Manager   to improve issues identified.

Ability to communicate with physician   regarding social service and discharge planning needs of the patient. Assists the physician to facilitate   post-hospital care.

Identifies and addresses psychosocial   needs of patients and family; communicates with Social Service/Discharge   Planner regarding both in hospital and post discharge needs.

Maintains current knowledge of   resources available within the community, maintains supply of resource   materials to be distributed to patients when needed. Is able to obtain other resources as   needed.

Communicates with family members and   caretakers regarding the needs of the patient and anticipated plans.

Collaborates with Utilization   Management Coordinator and other members of the healthcare team to provide   for psychosocial assistance or optimum post-discharge services.

Ability to perform a head-to-toe   assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes pediatric, geriatric and the   general patient population.

Ability to adequately assess and   reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate   pain management techniques. Educates   the patient and family regarding pain management.

Ability to revise plan of care as   indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluate overall plan   daily for effectiveness.

Ability to perform waived testing   (point-of-care testing) per Laboratory’s and the resident care unit’s   policies and procedures.

Ability to interpret results of   waived tests; take appropriate action on waived tests results.

Performs patient care   responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for   patient’s age.

Knowledge of medications and their   correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical   condition.

Follows the seven (7) medication   rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.

Formulates a teaching plan based upon   identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning, family is   included in teaching as appropriate.

Demonstrates an ability to assist   physicians with procedures and performs services requiring technical and   manual skills.

Demonstrates ability to perform   treatments and provide services to level licensure.

Assists staff with special procedures   and general nursing care when not performing discharge duties.

Treats patients and their families   with respect and dignity. Identifies   and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of   patients and their families. Functions   as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare   providers.

Interacts professionally with   patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of   care.

Demonstrates knowledge of the   principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills   necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patient population   served. Able to interpret data about   the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs   and provide care needed by the patient group.

Performs all aspects of patient care   in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of   medical/health care errors.

Supports and maintains a culture of   safety and quality.

Consults other departments as   appropriate to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient’s   needs.

Communicates appropriately and   clearly to Nurse Manager, co-workers and physicians.

Maintains a good working relationship   both within the department and with other departments.

Documentation meets current standards   and policies.

Manages and operates equipment safely   and correctly.

Coordinates and supervises patient   care as necessary.

Demonstrates an ability to be   flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.

Professional   Requirements:

Adheres to dress code, appearance is   neat and clean.

Completes annual education   requirements.

Maintains regulatory requirements.

Maintains patient confidentiality at   all times.

Reports to work on time and as   scheduled, completes work within designated time.

Wears identification while on duty,   uses computerized punch time system correctly.

Completes inservices and returns in a   timely fashion.

Attends annual review and department   inservices, as scheduled.

Attends 12 staff meetings annually,   or reads and returns all staff meeting minutes.

Represents the organization in a   positive and professional manner.

Actively participates in performance   improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.

Complies with all organizational   policies regarding ethical business practices.

Requirements

Regulatory Requirements:

· Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

· Current state Registered Nurse Licensure, within state of Arkansas.

· Current BLS certification.

· A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the acute care setting.

Language Skills:

· Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

· Additional languages preferred.

Skills:

· Basic computer knowledge.

Physical Demands:

· Mobility, sight, hearing, verbal communication, changes in temperature, exposure to disagreeable elements, exposure to biological, mechanical, electrical, and chemical hazards. Frequent standing and walking. Lift up to 100 pounds. Carrying up to 40 pounds. Pushing/pulling up to 450 pounds.

· This position is a safety sensitive position pursuant to Amendment 98 to the Arkansas Constitution § 2(25). A safety sensitive position means any position in which a person performing the position while under the influence of marijuana may constitute a threat to health or safety. This position is therefore “safety sensitive” due to the fact it requires the following: performing life-threatening procedures; working with hazardous or flammable materials, controlled substances, food, or medicine; and a lapse of attention while working in this position could result in injury, illness, or death.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.