Discharge Nurse (RN) Nursing Resource Full Time (Evenings)

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 15%

1. Fosters staff engagement by demonstrating active listening, requesting and acknowledging feedback, making equitable decisions, providing rationale when appropriate, and supporting organizational goals. Anticipates the needs of the staff members and proactively offers assistance. Role models to team members effective communication skills, assisting in their development of such skills. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. (EF)
2. Implements staff education specific to patient populations and unit processes; coaches and mentors other staff and students. Ensures knowledge transfer of discharge process. Uses peer-to-peer accountability to contribute towards department score for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction on unit-based scorecard. (EF)

1. Provides the unit RN with the 24-hour discharge checklist and monitors the progress, assertively managing the progress throughout the day. Reviews chart for notes that require consultation and approval for discharge and pending test/procedures. Reviews Discharge Orders. Coaches physicians on discharge process and timely documentation. (EF)
2. Completes unit rounds by rounding on all patients with the probability of discharge, educating the patient/family regarding the discharge process and discharge medications/prescriptions. Screens for communication barriers and seeks to educate caregivers when appropriate. Uses teach back method to ensure understanding of information. Establishes mutual educational goals with patient and family, providing appropriate resources, incorporating planning for care after discharge. Provide education regarding their medical condition and self care post-discharge. Confirms transportation with patient/family members. Ensures all homecare is arranged if applicable. (EF)
3. Incorporates after visit summaries and appropriate scripting to ensure patient comprehension Contributes to meeting department target for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard through peer-to-peer accountability. (EF)

1. Anticipates/prevents and recognize/resolves early declines in patient condition and emergent situations. Proactively recognizes, determines a plan of action, and responds to situations as appropriate this includes, but is not limited to, potential barriers to self care after discharge such as ability to pay for medications, get to doctors appointments, and complete ADL's. Collaborates with multiple departments to make sure the discharge plan is actionable by the patient and caregivers. (EF)
2. Prepares patients, caregivers, and staff for identified discharges for the next 24-48 hours. Facilitates communication across the care team to assure important information is reported in a comprehensive, unbiased manner. (EF)
3. Collaborates with consultants regarding patients cleared for discharge. (EF)
4. Completes discharges in timely manner with accurate documentation and anticipates/plans for potential problems. Reports errors in discharge plans promptly and consistently seeks to improve systems and processes and identify trends. (EF)
5. Leads and identifies opportunities for practice changes and performance improvement. Actively participates in meeting quality and safety targets and hospital initiatives on the unit and hospital scorecard, reporting near misses and identifying solutions by collaborating with the interprofessional health care team. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety. Assists with audits as needed. (EF)

1. Actively participates in the stewardship and efficient utilization of resources, optimizing efficiency, minimizing incidental overtime, and other areas according to department specifications and needs including providing input to unit capital and operational budgets. Models independent time management effectively and prioritization of daily tasks. (EF)
2. Identifies population and/or service-specific trends impacting Length of Stay (LOS) and addresses/resolves problems impeding treatment progress. Proactively takes action to achieve continuous improvement and expedites care/facilitates discharge. Contributes to meeting department financial target on scorecard. (EF)
3. Attends Care Coordination Rounds and notes discharges for the next 24-48 hours, and facilitates patients timely progression. Ensures that follow-up has been implemented on any concerns or issues identified by the team. Facilitiates removal of barriers and collaborates with departments to ensure prioritization of discharging patients. (EF)

1. Investigates and incorporates evidence-based practices which are presented to shared governance and leadership. Supports change initiatives and adapts to unexpected changes. Leads change in practices occurring with discharge. Teaches unit staff about the discharge process. (EF)
2. Fosters identification and implementation of innovative solutions to improve patient care or unit operations such as reduction of hospital readmissions or other department-specific measures by leading and/or participating in unit projects and shared governance activities. Assists with guiding departmental strategy for improvments in quality and efficiency in discharge process. (EF)

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited School of Nursing

• Eighteen months nursing experience