Visiting Nurses Careers

Locations: 35 Colvin Ave Albany NY 12206

Pay Range: $25-$27 Hourly

Job Summary: Performs nursing services as directed by an authorized Medical Practitioner in the care of the sick, the prevention of disease and the conservation of health to individuals and families; promotes coordination and effective management of patient care services rendered by an interdisciplinary team of workers.

Responsibilities: 

• Notifies physician offices of missed visits, when identified by field clinicians, via phone or fax.
• Identifies patient problems based on phone calls, documentation and works with the patient, caregivers, field clinicians and clinical managers to develop, implement, revise and evaluate a plan for care including other disciplines and community services considering resources available to the patient. Makes appropriate referrals in consultation with the primary Medical Practitioner.
• Provides requesting, receiving and documenting skills under the direction of an authorized Medical Practitioner including health teaching, health counseling, and patient care (i.e. infusion therapy, wound care, collection of laboratory tests, medication orders, medication administration, and reconciliation etc.).
• Provides health education via phone specific to the needs of the patient and caregivers to enable them to reach their maximum level of independence and well being during the episode of care. This education takes into consideration their ability to learn, their cultural/spiritual background and their motivation to learn. Evaluates and documents the effectiveness of teaching methods and patient/caregiver response to teaching.
• Maintains the confidentiality of patient medical and financial information. Protects patient records from loss, damage and unauthorized access.
• Maintains timely, accurate documentation of patient communication, medical orders, referrals, progress summaries, supplies requisitions and all other patient care related paperwork.
• Maintains own professional competence through participation in continuing education and other appropriate learning experiences including current research and literature in the nursing practice.
• Assists with the orientation and/or guidance of new staff members, students, Board members and other selected individuals.
• Maintains awareness of and follows Agency policies and procedures.
• Contributes to the attainment of Agency goals and objectives.
• Contributes to the improvement activities of the Agency by participation in Performance Improvement activities and in identification of activities/resources requiring updating and/or further research.
• Performs other and related tasks as requested.

Requirements:

• Directly responsible and accountable for rendering assistance to the patient, field clinicians and managers and completing all associated documentation. Respects confidentiality of information and utilizes cost efficient practices. Demonstrates politeness, consideration for other's concerns, and is public relations oriented.
• Requires an in-depth knowledge of clinical practices, procedures and skills as well as an understanding of the functions and responsibilities of the Home Health Care Agency. Maintains and increases knowledge of clinical practice. Must have knowledge of policies and procedures for accident prevention and safety of self and others. Must be competent to carry out emergency procedures. Requires an understanding and acceptance of patients' various cultures and a variety of socio-economic and educational backgrounds.
• Must be able to demonstrate competent & effective clinical skills in the area of assessment, planning and implementation of care for patients. Must be able to effectively teach patient/family to give appropriate care. Must be able to accurately document patient care to reflect the patient's condition and clinical interventions. Must be able to coordinate and apply Medicare, Medicaid, and other reimbursement source criteria and guidelines in clinical documentation. Demonstrates communication skills to coordinate services effectively.
• Must show high degree of initiative, judgment and cooperation with the Home Health Care Team in analyzing the patients' conditions, situation and need in decision-making processes in the patients' care and rehabilitation with the patient, his/her family and the Home Health Care Team including the physician. Must be able to effectively plan and organize one's work assignments, demonstrating effective use of per diem nurse, LPN when needing extra help. Must be able and willing to learn and adapt to ongoing changes in policies, procedures, supplies, service areas, supervision, and outside regulating agencies.
• Must have keen hearing and good eyesight. Must be able to function adequately in an office, manage office space, and telephone.
• Must be able to obtain and communicate patient information including financial information and insurance coverage (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid numbers). Must be detail-oriented and able to accurately do a job requiring paperwork.
• Must have at least one-year recent experience in medical, surgical, geriatric, coronary care, emergency room care or home health care.
• Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Moderate physical activity, involving walking, standing, carrying, bending, sitting and driving. Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs
• Frequent Computer usage
• In office, ventilated lighted and temperature regulated area.
• Must occasionally use own car for travel to meetings and patients' homes often in rural (i.e., isolated areas) or urban (i.e., public housing units), which are congested, not well maintained, or supervised. Must handle potential problems in the home related to possible problems of alcohol and drug abuse, marital problems, and patient's acute illness or possible death, or patient complaints. Must be able to demonstrate universal precautions and other infection control procedures when caring for all patients or demonstrating care to minimize the risk of contracting AIDS or other communicable diseases. Patients' homes are often in bad need of repair with broken steps, rat or roach-infested, and without the use of telephone service or nearby neighbors to assist in an emergency.
• Must have responsible, ethical, self-initiating professional behavior. Effective interpersonal skills, empathy, patience, and ability to listen and plan with the patient/family are essential characteristics. Must be able to efficiently communicate with a diverse population. Self-awareness and self-evaluation are important characteristics as are accuracy. Must have high respect for others and their property. Must be able to creatively cope with stressful work situations without adversely disturbing relationships with co-workers. Must be able to accept state and federally imposed regulations and be flexible enough to alter work habits to accommodate these changing regulations.
• Must be able to maintain effective working relationships with members of the Home Health Care staff, hospital staff, area physicians and local agencies. Must understand proper chain of command and utilize proper communication channels.
• Staff members are expected to present a neat and well-groomed appearance as this is a direct reflection of the employee's professionalism and the Agency's attitude towards its patients and the public. Photo identification badge is required to be worn at all times.
• Current license to practice nursing in the state of New York. Employees are encouraged to have professional liability insurance.

Apply now.