Clinical Nurse Liaison - Palliative Care

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY 

Works under the Chief Medical Officer and supervision of the palliative care team physicians to coordinate palliative care services at NHRMC.  Coordinates with the outpatient palliative RN, the inpatient RN liaison, and the inpatient hospice liaisons for appropriate referral of patients seen at NHRMC by the palliative care team.  Develops well-informed, responsive relationships with physicians and their staff along with other health care providers at NHRMC settings through communication and education to increase palliative care census and referrals. Captures data on referrals and disposition as requested. Acts as a resource to physicians, patient/families, and other facility staff regarding LCFL’s palliative care services.  Educates physicians, nurses, and the lay community on palliative care and the differences between palliative care and hospice.  Provides some clinical follow-up for patients. Supports the development and execution of LCFL’s marketing communications goals and plan.  The Professional Registered Nurse is also responsible for continuing his/her own personal development to enhance practice and the profession of Nursing.  Works with LCFL Palliative Care Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistant, Physicians, and Social Worker.  Performs other duties as assigned.   

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES 

1. Acts as a resource to physicians, other staff especially in the emergency department, and the community regarding LCFL’s palliative care services. 

2. Acts as a referral source to physicians and other medical staff to assess patients for appropriateness for admission to palliative care or hospice services. 

3. Coordinates referrals of patients who were seen, or currently in the emergency department, to inpatient or outpatient palliative care services when there is an ongoing need for palliative care and support. 

4. Acts a liaison between LCFL and referral sources by providing service information to physicians and staff at NHRMC as well as patients and families and other healthcare providers. 

5. Works in conjunction with Palliative Nurse Practitioners, Physicians, and other team members. 

6. Organizes and performs work effectively and efficiently. 

7. Maintains and adjusts schedule to enhance program performance. 

8. Demonstrates positive interpersonal relations in dealing with all members of the team. 

9. Maintains and promotes customer satisfaction. 

10. Effectively demonstrates the mission, vision, and values of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare daily. 

11. Works closely with the Inpatient and Outpatient Palliative Nurses, Hospice Liaisons at NHRMC to promote palliative care referrals and enhance care of patients across transitions of care. 

12. Works closely with the chief medical officer and the palliative care team to develop the role on an ongoing basis. 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS 

1. Education:  Graduate of an accredited school of nursing, either through an AD, Diploma or BSN program.  Degree in business, marketing, or related field preferred. 

2. Licensure / Certifications:  Current license to practice professional nursing in the State of North Carolina. 

3. Experience:  Two years’ experience. Prefer hospice or home care.  Prefer experience in marketing, public affairs, community relations or hospital liaison nurse. 

4. Essential Technical / Motor Skills:  Ability to speak clearly to communicate with patients, families, physicians, and staff.  Good command of the English language. Computer experience helpful. 

5. Interpersonal Skills: Ability to develop positive interaction with patients, families, physicians and staff and other health professionals to effectively communicate and educate about hospice services and end-of-life care.    Strong verbal and written communication skills.  Highly self-motivated and self-disciplined.  Flexible. 

6. Essential Physical Requirements:  Ability to move freely.  Ability to work long hours and manage stressful situations.   Ability to lift and/or maneuver objects weighing at least 45 pounds or less in the assessment and implementation of patient care. 

7. Essential Mental Abilities:  Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.   Requires higher level of mental faculties accompanied by short and long-term memory. 

8. Essential Sensory Requirements:  Touch, sight, hearing, ability to organize thoughts, facts, and ideas.  Ability to translate the written word.   

9. Exposure to Hazards:  May be exposure to blood and body fluids, infectious diseases, needle puncture wounds. May encounter patients and other situations which present a potential threat to personal safety.  

10. Other - Hours of Work: 10 hour shifts.  Weekends, holidays, evening, and early morning hours will be required from time to time.  Flexibility with schedule required.   

11. Population Served: Physicians, RN’s, facility administrators, discharge planners, social workers, other health professionals, insurance specialists, public, community leaders, vendors.  All patient populations from infants through geriatric with life limiting illness.