Palliative Care Clinic Registered Nurse

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare•Wilmington, NC

About The Position

Works under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer. Collaborates with inpatient and outpatient palliative care programs within the community to assist the palliative care team in managing patients with serious illness. The goal of the Palliative Care RN is to help the outpatient palliative care team to enhance coordination of care; eliminate duplication of services; provide follow-up visits and phone calls as requested; and to educate and support the patient in their transition from palliative care to hospice when appropriate. The Palliative Care RN is responsible for using the Nursing Process, standards, policies, procedures, and evidence-based practices to effectively manage the Plan of Care for each patient based on appropriate nursing standards, policies, and procedures. To ensure the provision of quality clinical care that is evidence based, the Palliative Care RN is responsible for continuing his/her own professional development. Additionally, the Palliative Care RN is to develop well-informed, responsive professional relationships with all members of the healthcare team, the patient, and the family.

Requirements

Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Associate or Diploma degree required.
Licensure / Certifications: Current license to practice professional nursing in the state of North Carolina / South Carolina.
Experience: Minimum of two years of acute care clinical nursing experience, and one year of hospice experience.
Essential Technical / Motor Skills: Ability to verbally communicate in a clear and succinct manner. Written communication is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. Skilled in the use of Microsoft software. Experience with Electronic Medical Record applications preferred.
Interpersonal Skills: Ability to develop positive interaction with patients, families, physicians and staff and other health professionals to effectively communicate and educate about hospice services and end-of-life c are. Positive, can-do attitude and demeanor. Strong verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills. Highly self-motivated and self-disciplined. Adapts easily to changing situation.
Essential Physical Requirements: No limitations that compromise the ability to meet the physical requirements of the position that include, but are not limited to ambulation, working long hours, lifting and/ or maneuver objects weighing 45 pounds or less.
Essential Mental Abilities: Critical thinking and the ability to adjust accordingly to provide safe and evidence-based care.
Essential Sensory Requirements: Touch, sight, hearing, ability to organize thoughts, facts, and ideas. Ability to comprehend verbal and written communication.
Exposure to Hazards: May be exposed to blood and bodily fluids, and infectious diseases, (result of an action, not an exposure). May encounter patients and other situations that present a threat to personal safety.
Other - Hours of Work: Generally, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Weekends, holidays, evenings, and early morning hours may be required to meet patient, family and/ o agency needs. Work schedule flexibility.
Population Served: Physicians, RN’s, facility administrators, discharge planners, social workers, other health professionals, insurance specialists, public, community leaders, vendors. All patient populations from infants through geriatric with life limiting illness.

Nice To Haves

BSN preferred.
MSN, MPH or MBA also preferred.
Program and process development, marketing/ community relations and/ or healthcare liaison experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Acts as a resource to physicians, patients/families, and other members of the healthcare team regarding Lower Cape Fear LifeCare palliative care services.
Acts as a liaison between LCFL NPs in the palliative care program and referral sources by providing service information to physicians and other clinical staff within the outpatient setting, as well as patients and families and other providers of healthcare.
Works in conjunction with the palliative care NPs and MDs and other providers associated with the patient to make follow up phone calls, emails, obtain orders, and assist with prescriptions
Performs patient visits in the homecare setting as designated by the palliative care NP.
Works with the administrative assistant for palliative care and the inpatient palliative care RN liaison to identify; track and coordinate follow up; and collect and document data; pertaining to the accountable care organization program.
Organizes and performs work effectively and efficiently.
Maintains and adjusts schedule to meet the needs of the patient and the palliative care team as well as to enhance program performance.
Demonstrates positive and professional interpersonal relations in dealing with all members of the team. Serves as a resource for co-workers in problem identification and resolution.
Maintains and promotes customer satisfaction.
Effectively demonstrates the mission, vision, and values of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare daily.
Adheres to patient visit and contact guidelines.
Demonstrates the ability to work independently while working with the outpatient palliative care team managing the care of patients and collecting data.