Palliative Care RN Non-Exempt

VITAS Healthcare•Walnut Creek, CA

About The Position

The Palliative Care RN provides individualized coordination of care to patients and families, including comprehensive physical and psychosocial assessments, referrals, education, counseling, and support with treatment planning and advance care planning. The RN works with clinicians and the broader healthcare team to coordinate care transitions, support discharge planning and follow-up, and promote improved patient outcomes. The role also includes participating in internal palliative care team meetings and the on-call rotation as needed. Duties are performed in accordance with VITAS Palliative Care policies, procedures, guidelines, contractual commitments, and governmental regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Current and valid professional license in the state where the position is based.
Current CPR and BLS/ACLS certification.
Reliable transportation, a current state driver’s license, and automobile insurance.
Knowledge of the interdisciplinary team concept.
Exceptional communication and customer-service skills.
Ability to communicate tactfully, verbally and in writing, with department heads, managers, coworkers, and vendors to resolve problems and negotiate solutions.
Working knowledge of computers and internet-based systems, including the ability to navigate automated systems and software applications such as Outlook, Excel, and Word.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of experience in an acute care setting preferred.
One to two years of case management experience in a community-based setting, such as home health, rehabilitation, or hospice, preferred.
Experience in patient education, care planning, and management desired.
Master’s degree or higher preferred.
Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate individualized care for patients and families.
Complete initial and ongoing comprehensive physical and psychosocial assessments to identify needs and areas for intervention.
Arrange appropriate specialist referrals and support adherence to treatment plans, including physician visits for evaluation and ongoing management.
Help patients access services and community resources that support their health and well-being.
Educate patients and families about disease processes and care plans, including treatment options to support informed decision-making.
Provide emotional support and counseling to help patients and families adjust to illness, navigate transitions, and adhere to treatment plans.
Evaluate patients’ physical and emotional recovery following treatment and use appropriate resources as needed.
Encourage patients to set appropriate goals and discuss advance care planning and advance directives.
Build relationships with clinicians involved in patients’ care and attend and participate in internal VITAS Palliative Care team meetings.
Promote a patient-centered approach and partner with the healthcare team to manage transitions between hospital, primary care, and specialty care settings.
Facilitate proactive discharge planning and follow-up to promote improved outcomes, decreased lengths of stay, and reduced readmission rates.
Protect patient privacy and maintain confidentiality when releasing patient information and in interactions concerning patients, families, staff, and the organization.
Use a customer-service approach in interactions with VITAS customers.
Participate in the on-call rotation as needed.
Perform additional job-related duties as assigned by a supervisor or management.