Discharge Registered Nurse - Rehab Hospital Center Valley

JOB SUMMARY

The Discharge Registered Nurse (RN) plays a critical role in the transition of patients from inpatient care to home or other care settings within a rehabilitation hospital. This position is responsible for ensuring a smooth, effective, and safe discharge process, with a focus on the coordination of care, patient education, and collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in rehabilitation nursing, discharge planning, and patient advocacy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• DISCHARGE PLANNING AND COORDINATION
  Collaborate with physicians, case managers, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure timely and appropriate discharge planning.
  Assess patients' readiness for discharge, considering physical, emotional, and social factors that may impact the transition.
  Coordinate and assist with the development of individualized discharge plans, including recommendations for home health care, follow-up appointments, medications, and durable medical equipment needs.

• ESTABLISHES A COMPASSIONATE ENVIRONMENT
  Provide emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.

• PROMOTES PATIENT'S INDEPENDENCE
  Establish patient care goals
  Explain discharge instructions, medication regimens, wound care, and any necessary lifestyle adjustments.
  Offer emotional support and address patient/family concerns regarding the discharge process.
  Educate patient, friends, and family to understand post-discharge care, medications, and self-care skills and rehabilitation goals achieved.

• RESOLVES PATIENT PROBLEMS AND NEEDS
  Utilize multidisciplinary team strategies
  Utilize established communication methods to ensure resolution of patient problems and needs for discharge.
  Communicate patient status and barriers to discharge to the interdisciplinary team.

• MANTAINS PATIENT CONFIDENCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONFIDENTIALITY
  Keep information confidential.

• MANTAINS SAFE AND CLEAN WORKING ENVIRONMENT
  Comply with procedures, rules, and regulations
  Call for assistance from health care support personnel
  Maintain a clean and safe unit environment
  Keep patient rooms, supply rooms and hallways free from clutter
  Comply with procedures, rules and regulations
  Adhere to infection control policies and procedures, medication administration and storage procedures and controlled substance regulations
  Maintain compliance with professional, regulatory and governmental standards of care
  Demonstrate knowledge of responsibilities in an emergency situation.

• ENSURES OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT
  Follow manufacturer's instructions
  Troubleshoot malfunctions
  Enter work orders for equipment repairs
  Evaluate new equipment and techniques.

• MAINTAINS PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
  Identify personal educational needs and opportunities
  Attend educational workshops
  Complete mandatory educational requirements
  Review professional publications
  Establish personal networks
  Participate in professional organizations
  Share new knowledge with teams
  Participate in unit meetings
  Read unit memos
  Participate in committees, projects and PI activities.

• MANTAINS A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP AMONG HEALTH CARE TEAMS
  Communicate information
  Respond to requests
  Build rapport
  Participate in team problem-solving methods
  Communicate patient care or team issues to the nurse manager or supervisor
  Hold each team member accountable for patient and team outcomes
  Participate in team meetings
  Offer suggestions for improvement to the program director
  Utilize the chain of command to present issues or concerns
  Demonstrate positive conflict resolution skills with all associates
  Treat all associates with dignity and respect.

• CONTRIBUTES TO ORGANIZATIONAL TEAM EFFORT
  Arrive on duty as scheduled, maintain attendance, punch in and out as per Good Shepherd policy and maintain etime sheet
  Serve as the primary point of contact for patients and families regarding discharge questions or concerns
  Communicate effectively with the interdisciplinary team to ensure continuity of care post-discharge
  Ensure seamless transition of care to outpatient services, home health providers, or long-term care facilities, as appropriate
  Attend meetings as requested by organizational leaders
  Positively represent the profession and organization at work and away from work
  Promote and participate in organizational goals
  Mentor channels of communication among nursing shifts, disciplines, departments, and external customers
  Utilize multidisciplinary team strategies, to assure resolution of patient problems and needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education:

  • Associate's Degree in Nursing or Nursing Diploma required

  • Bachelor's Degree in Nursing preferred

• Work Experience:

  • 2 years' rehabilitation, patient discharge or other relevant experience required

• Licenses / Certifications:

  • Registered Nurse license required

  • Basic Life Support / CPR, as a healthcare provider, per the American Heart Association required

  • Certification in Rehabilitation Nursing is preferred or acquired within the appropriate timeframe (to be determined by the hiring manager) of this position.