Registered Nurse Case Manager - Home Health

Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for caseloads consisting of patients in specialty areas.
• Conducts initial assessment to obtain thorough physical, social, and environmental data.
• Establishes the plan of care in accordance with physician orders and patient needs.
• Provides direct patient care and adjusts nursing care processes as needed.
• Identifies problems, modifies the nursing care plan, and evaluates outcomes within an appropriate time frame.
• Advises and consults with family and other personnel, as appropriate.
• Provides ongoing assessment of patient response to treatments and teaching, applying interventions as appropriate.
• Updates and revises the plan of care as indicated.
• Completes documentation including visit assessment, OASIS, 485, and verbal orders accurately, promptly, and within standards.
• Communicates with physicians to confirm and update patients' plan of care, providing status updates and ensuring ongoing communication with the physician and other members of the healthcare team.
• Facilitates the discharge planning process according to standards and utilizes resources to assure continuity of care after discharge.
• Participates in developing the discharge plan with the patient/family, physician, social worker, and other staff members as appropriate.
• Participates in chart audits and continuous quality improvement activities as requested.
• Identifies, develops, and participates in process improvement opportunities that enhance the quality of services provided.
• Maintains and updates accurate clinical and patient records according to agency, state, and federal guidelines.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served, including principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Assesses data reflective of the patient's status and interprets appropriate information to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the team member practices.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader determines it is not required.
• A valid driver's license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles or the state of Illinois.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Nursing.
• Typically requires 3 years of experience in clinical nursing.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a variety of clients with patience and respect.
• Good organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with physicians and other professionals in a direct and positive manner.
• Proficiency in clinical skills with the ability to work under direction and make sound judgments.
• Ability to operate necessary equipment such as FAX, computer, copier, and telephone system.
• Ability to assess data reflecting the patient's status and interpret appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements.
• Tolerance for differences and appreciation of multiculturalism and diversity of patients and their families.
• Must possess and provide proof of a valid driver's license and a registered, functional car with adequate insurance coverage.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Capable of the manual dexterity required to use and operate a variety of equipment.
• Physical ability to move about in confined spaces, including bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting, and occasionally reaching one or both arms overhead.
• Able to work safely with people of various sizes and weights with diverse and complex medical conditions and physical limitations.
• Able to sit, stand, walk, and climb stairs for limited to prolonged periods of time to complete required paperwork, gain entry to patients' residences, travel from assigned visits, and attend work-related activities.
• Physical stamina to attend to patient care requirements over a period of three or more hours without complete rest.
• Accurate vision to read gauges and measuring devices and to interpret written instructions.
• Subject to extreme temperature changes due to weather conditions.
• Subject to exposure to chemical and hazardous waste and communicable diseases.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist.
• Able to lift up to 20 lbs from waist to overhead.
• Able to lift and carry up to 40 lbs at waist height a reasonable distance.
• Able to push/pull with 30 lbs of force.
• Able to perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs with a second person present.