Clinical Nurse Liaison - Palliative Care

Inpatient Palliative Nurse Liaison

Inpatient Palliative Nurse Liaison works under the Community Palliative Care Manager and supervision of the palliative care Nurse Practitioner to coordinate palliative care services at UNCSE. Coordinates with the outpatient palliative NP and clinical staff for appropriate referral of patients seen at UNCSE. Develops well-informed, responsive relationships with physicians and their staff along with other health care providers at UNCSE settings through communication and education to increase palliative care census and referrals. Acts as a resource to physicians, patient, families, and other facility staff regarding palliative care services. Educates physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals on palliative care and the differences between palliative care and hospice. Provides clinical follow-up for patients including coordination of family meetings and addressing GOC/ACP conversations. 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, assigned facility staff, 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 referral to palliative care or admission to hospice services.
3. Coordinates referrals of palliative care patients who were seen by palliative care in the hospital to outpatient palliative care services when there is an ongoing need for palliative care and support in the outpatient setting.
4. Acts as liaison between LCFL and referral sources by providing service information to physicians and staff at UNCSE 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. Works closely with the Outpatient Palliative Nurse Liaison and clinical liaisons at UNCSE to promote palliative care referrals and enhance care of patients across transitions of care.
11. Patient care to include triaging, face to face visit, assisting team with palliative issues, and follow up.
12. Effectively demonstrates the mission, vision, and values of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare on a daily basis.

Job Specifications

1. Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing, either through an AD, Diploma or BSN program
2. Licensure / Certifications: Current license to practice professional nursing in the State of North Carolina. CHPN certification preferred.
3. Experience: Two years experience. Prefer hospice or home care.
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 in order to effectively communicate and educate about palliative care services, Advanced Care Planning and Goals of 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: Generally, Monday Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. Flexibility with schedule required.
11. Population Served: Physicians, RN's, UNCSE staff, discharge planners, social workers, other health professionals. All patient populations from infants through geriatric with life-limiting illness.