Clinical Nurse Liaison - Palliative Care

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare•Lumberton, NC

About The Position

The Inpatient Palliative Nurse Liaison coordinates palliative care services at UNCSE under the Community Palliative Care Manager and the supervision of the palliative care Nurse Practitioner. The role coordinates with outpatient palliative care clinicians and staff to make appropriate referrals for patients seen at UNCSE, and develops relationships with physicians, their staff, and other healthcare providers through communication and education to increase palliative care awareness, census, and referrals. The liaison is a resource to physicians, patients, families, and facility staff; educates healthcare professionals about palliative care and how it differs from hospice; and provides clinical follow-up, including coordinating family meetings and addressing goals-of-care and advance-care-planning conversations. The professional registered nurse works with LCFL Palliative Care Nurse Practitioners, a Physician Assistant, physicians, and a social worker. The position also requires ongoing personal development to enhance nursing practice and the profession. The population served includes healthcare professionals and patients of all ages, from infants through geriatric patients with life-limiting illness.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited nursing program through an associate degree, diploma, or BSN program.
Current license to practice professional nursing in North Carolina.
Two years of experience.
Ability to communicate clearly with patients, families, physicians, and staff, with a good command of English.
Computer experience is helpful.
Ability to develop positive interactions with patients, families, physicians, staff, and other health professionals to communicate and educate about palliative care, advance care planning, and goals of care.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Highly self-motivated, self-disciplined, and flexible.
Ability to move freely, work long hours, and manage stressful situations.
Ability to lift or maneuver objects weighing up to at least 45 pounds in the assessment and implementation of patient care.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; requires higher-level mental faculties and short- and long-term memory.
Sensory abilities include touch, sight, and hearing, as well as organizing thoughts, facts, and ideas and translating written material.
May be exposed to blood and body fluids, infectious diseases, needle puncture wounds, and situations that may threaten personal safety.
Schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; flexibility is required.

Nice To Haves

CHPN certification preferred.
Hospice or home care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a resource to physicians, assigned facility staff, and the community regarding LCFL palliative care services.
Help physicians and medical staff assess whether patients are appropriate for palliative care referral or hospice admission.
Coordinate referrals from hospital palliative care to outpatient palliative care when patients continue to need support.
Liaise between LCFL and referral sources by providing service information to physicians, staff, patients, families, and other healthcare providers.
Work with palliative Nurse Practitioners, physicians, and other team members.
Organize and perform work effectively and efficiently.
Maintain and adjust the schedule to support program performance.
Promote positive interpersonal relationships with team members and customer satisfaction.
Coordinate with the Outpatient Palliative Nurse Liaison and clinical liaisons at UNCSE to promote referrals and improve care across transitions.
Provide patient care, including triage, face-to-face visits, assistance with palliative care issues, and follow-up.
Demonstrate Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s mission, vision, and values.
Continue personal development to enhance nursing practice and the profession.
Provide education about palliative care, the distinction between palliative care and hospice, advance care planning, and goals of care.
Coordinate family meetings and address goals-of-care and advance-care-planning conversations.