Why consider applying to Visiting Nurse & Health Services of CT? Here are a few reasons: 

Small territories and manageable caseloads and flexible schedules for a better work-life balance. Front loaded paid vacation time with 26 days offered if you work 40 hours a week, otherwise prorated based on hours worked. Tuition reimbursement to help you continue your education and career growth. Eligible after 3 months of employment! Medical/Dental/Vision/Voluntary Benefits/STD and more Free parking and discounts offered through Perk Spots at local retailers, restaurants, and childcare centers. 

Join our team and enjoy these benefits while providing quality care to our patients. Apply now! 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Utilizing the nursing process, provides high quality direct and indirect patient–centered care.  Coordinates patient care by working collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team, patients, and families.  Communicates, as appropriate, the patient’s clinical condition, responding quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment.  Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care to the patient population served.  Promotes the profession of nursing and professional practice through collegial support and interactions. Under the direction of the Clinical Manager, is responsible for oversight of patient care via support and education of clinical staff. Evaluates patient care provided by clinicians through conferences, home visits and record review. Also has responsibility for the wound care program.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

Must be a graduate of an accredited school of Nursing and have and maintain a current Registered Nurse license in the State of Connecticut. Must provide a copy of diploma or transcript upon hire. Must have certification in BLS and NRP upon hire or receive all certifications within a year after hire date and maintain clinical competency during employment with ECHN in this role.

EXPERIENCE:

 Three to five years of Home Health experience is required.   Case Management experience is required.    Excellent working knowledge of OASIS and related outcomes and PPS required.   Certification in OASIS preferred.  Certification in wound, ostomy, and continence nursing.

COMPETENCIES:

Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing and possess basic computer skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
Disclaimer: Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.  They are intended to be accurate reflections of the principal duties and responsibilities of this position.  These responsibilities and competencies listed below may change from time to time.

Job-Specific Competency

Oversees care plan development: Reviews proposed Plan of Care via phone conferences and advises clinician on appropriateness and makes recommendations as needed. Receives verbal report for all OASIS time points. Coordinates/approves all revisions to the Plan of Care. Ensures patient goals are appropriate, meaningful and obtainable. Advises case manager on POC adjustments based on home visit observations or case conference discussions. Provides final approval and signs Plans of Care following review by the OASIS Specialist. Instructs and guides clinicians to promote more effective performance and delivery of quality homecare services: Makes recommendations for efficient and effective utilization of resources to achieve positive patient outcomes. Assess various skill competencies during observed home visits. Performs OASIS walk during joint home visits for each case manager at least quarterly or as needed. Assists in the orientation of staff to the clinical information system by performing joint visits to facilitate proficiency in computerized documentation. Ensures that clinical documentation and insurance requirements are met: Communicates routinely with field staff to ensure timely and appropriate delivery of care. Makes recommendations to Clinical Manager regarding employee performance and identifies opportunities for staff development. Conducts Case Conferences as indicated: New admissions. Re-certification’s or discharges planned in the next 10-15 days. Resumption of care. Prioritized cases weekly (high risk, problem prone or complex). Includes multidisciplinary providers when appropriate. May be conducted via phone. Develops and maintains sufficient professional skills and credentials to meet the need of patient care: Attends a minimum of 12 hours of in-service per year to include mandated annual in-services. Participates actively in self-appraisal and the formation of a plan of self- development. Adheres to Agency Corporate Compliance Plan and HIPAA Privacy Plan as per written agreement. Projects professional image through attitude and compliance with dress code. Functions as a team member with consideration to all staff. Provides Agency with current copy of professional license. Maintains CPR certification. Responsible for Wound Care Program: Acts as a resource and consultant for staff through case conferencing and/or joint visits. Makes consultation visits in the home, hospital or ECF. Provides instruction for patient/family in wound ostomy and continence management. Provides wound photo consultation in accordance with Agency policy and procedure. Provides pre and post op education to ostomy patients at local hospitals and SNFs’s. Assesses and monitors supply usage, cost effectiveness and appropriateness. Participates in orientation and wound competencies of new staff and provides ongoing education to current staff, through a Wound Fair and other wound programs. Incorporates OASIS into wound identification, staging and Care Plan development. Works collaboratively with Administrator of Quality Manager to promote “best practices” in the clinical environment. Works collaboratively to promote program.  This includes, but is not limited to, agency personnel, physicians, town representatives, hospitals, network personnel, nursing homes, Clinical Nurse Liaison, etc. Manages work assignment in an effective and efficient manner: Agency committees as requested. Performs wound care visits in accordance with Agency policy and procedure. Obtains physician verbal/written orders and complies with all reporting and documentation requirements. Participates in coordination of care with physicians and wound clinics and with other disciplines as appropriate. Reports any cases to the Clinical Manager and Administrator where goals cannot be met, or at-risk situations exist. Participates on Agency committees and provides feedback on outcomes related to wounds.   Participates in various community activities, i.e., Ostomy Support Groups, Senior Center presentations etc. Performs other duties as necessary to support Agency programs as assigned by the Clinical Manager: Agency committees as requested. Flu/special clinics as needed. Special Agency or community programs during and/or after regular working hours. Provides intermittent nursing service to patients in order to meet the needs of the Agency. Knowledge of state and federal regulations and accreditation standards.  Ability to work positively with staff: peers, subordinates, and superiors.  Ability to function independently, within scope of responsibility. Possess adequate transportation to carry out job requirements.  Must show proof of satisfactory automobile insurance with minimum coverage of $50,000/100,000 as determined by Agency policy. Properly direct any complaints and/or grievances as indicated per VNHSC policy.  Comply with HIPAA regulations, specifically the Privacy and Security Rules.  Protect personal health information (PHI), electronic personal health information (EPHI) and financial information by limiting the use and disclosure of health information and financial information to the minimum amount necessary with only those who must know how to get the job done.  Follow the department’s specific policies and procedures to protect health information.  Help one another to always ensure confidentiality.