The VITAS Telecare RN is a member of the interdisciplinary team who is the pivotal person responsible for identifying the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of those patients and families needing assistance after normal business hours. He or she initiates appropriate interventions to the patients and families by utilizing the nursing process, the VITAS Palliative Care Guide, and Telecare Protocols during alternate hours.

Provides clinical assessment and intervention utilizing the nursing process, VITAS Palliative Care Guide, and Triage Protocols. Serves as the patient and family advocate by communicating with the attending physicians, long term care facility staff, case managers, and others external to VITAS as necessary. Provides collaboration with LPN/LVN’s. Coordinates all service delivery after hours including patient and family education, dispatching of interdisciplinary visits, and coordination of services with external vendors and resources as needed. Provides support and collaboration with Telecare staff to ensure favorable patient outcomes.   Provides bereavement support to families. Documents interactions with patients, families, contacts, and vendors in the patient record to include the assessment, plan of care, caller agreement to the plan, any actions and interventions and the resolution of each patient/family interaction. Reviews all entries in the record made by Telecare LPN/LVN’s and Patient Care Coordinators and ensures compliance with documentation Standards.   Participates in the orientation of new team members as assigned by the supervising manager. Attends regularly scheduled in-services, staff meetings, and educational conferences. Develops and achieves professional growth goals and objectives, and reviews with supervising manager on a monthly basis.  Seeks certification in the specialty of hospice nursing when qualified to do so.   Instructs and documents appropriate use of medications, home medical equipment and supplies. Appropriately utilizes the resources of contract personnel such as Pharmacy, HME, agency staff, and transportation services. Promotes a customer service-oriented approach to care delivery.  Supports and promotes all Care Connection Center cultural platforms. Compliance with all departmental standards, policies, and procedures with training and education, management of the workload, disaster planning, attendance adherence, and quality standards. Performs other job duties as required.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to perform any other job duties assigned by their supervisor or management.

QUALIFICATIONS 

A minimum of two years’ experience in acute-care hospital nursing in either medical-surgical, oncology, home health, or emergency required.   One year of customer service/call center experience preferred. Eligible for licensure in other states VITAS Triage services are located. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as demonstrated effective telephone skills.     Ability to work as a team player and multi-task.     Proficient in customer conflict resolution and crisis management. Proficient in telephone techniques including phone etiquette, and handling of calls. Thorough knowledge of professional nursing principles, methods and procedures; anatomy and physiology; medical supplies and equipment used in nursing practice; and the uses and effects of medications including narcotics. Working knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to registered nursing and the scope of practice limitations of clinic support staff. Ability to work weekends and holidays as necessary to support the operations of the Care Connection Center. Ability to type 40 WPM.

EDUCATION 

•    Graduate from an accredited school with an associate or bachelor’s degree in Nursing.  

CERTIFICATE & LICENSURE 

•    Current Registered Nurse License(s) (with no current/pending restrictions) required. 

•    Telecare RNs that reside in a Nurse Licensure Compact State are required to have or obtain a multistate license designation for their state active nursing license. 

•    May be required to obtain additional nursing licenses, based on business needs.

ACCOMMODATIONS  

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