RN-Nurse Liaison

Kaweah Health is a publicly owned, community healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health services to the greater Visalia area in central California. With more than 5,000 employees, Kaweah Health provides state-of-the-art medicine and high-quality preventive services in our acute care hospital, specialized health centers and clinics. Our eight-campus healthcare district has 613 beds and offers comprehensive health services across a broad continuum of care.   

It takes a special person to work for Kaweah Health. We serve a region where the needs are great, which makes the rewards even greater. Every day, we care for people facing unique challenges and in need of healing. Throughout it all, our focus is to make a difference, and we do — in the health of our patients, our loved ones, and our community.

Benefits Eligible

Full-Time Benefit Eligible

Work Shift

Day - 8 Hour or less Shift (United States of America)

Department

6441 Administration-KHRH

The RN Nurse Liaison is involved in assessment and evaluation of patient referrals to health care services. Works in collaboration with Case Management and multidisciplinary team to assist with coordination of admission process for services.

QUALIFICATIONS

License /Certification

Required:

Current California RN license

BLS

Preferred: Completion of specialty certification

Education
Preferred: BSN, MSN, or currently enrolled in RN-BSN program.

Experience
Preferred: Two years of patient care experience in appropriate service area.


Department Specific Requirements

If assigned to Administration-KDMHH: requires Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention within 60 days of hire.

If assigned to Home Health: prefer five years of home health experience as well as a Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Business or healthcare.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential

Responds to inquiries about services within one working day. Provides program information in a professional and thorough manner.

Develops a positive working relationship with all physicians and staff involved in the referral and patient transfer process.

Upon receiving patient referrals, performs a site visit within 24 hours (M-F). Reviews medical information, and assesses patient based on relevant program admission criteria. Provides agency/facility choice and documents choice and assessment on appropriate forms.

Discusses program and patient needs with patient, family, physicians and staff to obtain a complete patient profile. Involves all parties, but particularly the patient and/or family in the decision making process regarding transfer.

Communicates with Medical Director to make final determination regarding appropriateness of admission if applicable.

Establishes the availability of funds for the services required. Communicates with patient and appropriate administrative and patient accounting personnel throughout the process.

Communicates with patient, family, referral source, physician, and/or others as appropriate regarding admission process and date. Provides information regarding other options if admission is not possible.

Communicates with unit staff and leadership concerning the admission date, bed needs, and special needs/equipment of patient to be admitted.

Represents and markets the program(s) to the community.

Maintains monthly statistics through referral log.

Addendum (essential for specific dept)

RH LIAISON:

Determines placement of patient to a bed utilizing utilization guidelines/criteria, diagnosis, and physician preference, unit activity, and staffing factors. Attends admission meetings.

Assists to ensure admission/UR criteria are consistent with reimbursement objectives. Identifies potentially inappropriate admissions, working with physician and physician office staff for correct classification of patient. When an admission designation cannot be made or agreed upon, utilizes Case Management and Medical Director in making a determination. Notifies attending physician and Case Manager on unit of pending problems and UR issues.

Acute to acute transfers with accepting MD, obtains patient condition report (VS, H&P, Treatment Plan, Level of Care) and authorization for ambulance/acute care from transferring facility. Verifies MD acceptance of patient. Gives transfer facility number/name of accepting unit.

Initiates unit assignment for appropriate level of care, i.e., based upon patient status and previous admission activity. Communicates pertinent information, such as infections, diseases.

Acts as a liaison with physician office staff for the purpose of promoting the KH concept of continuity of care by supporting the ADT based process. (Acts as a patient advocate in determining that the level/classification of care is correct and appropriate.) Attends Physician Office Staff meeting. Educates physician and office staff on admitting process, required information, etc.

Communicates with appropriate physicians, nursing managers, house supervisor and staffing facilitators when a shortage of available beds or staffing occurs. Works with the nursing staff and physicians to transfer or discharge patients if appropriate, during bed shortage. Follows disaster plan as appropriate.

Accepts and records physician orders when necessary and is responsible for the delivery of orders to the appropriate nursing unit. Completes order communication before the patient has arrived.

Has knowledge base of skilled nursing admission criteria verses acute rehab and assessment.

Assures all intake information is complete and accurate including patient information (phone number and address) physician information (name, address, phone number, fax number) and insurance information.

Responsible for securing and documenting all insurance authorizations and reauthorizations on assigned cases working closely with agency case managers to assure all visits are authorized.

CONTINUUM OF CARE: starts admission process by clarifying correct patient status.

TEAM MEMBER OF PATIENT ACCESS:

Facilitates and enhances communication, displaying honesty and respect. No complaints received.

Promotes a cooperative working relationship with the patient care areas, physician/clinic office staff, physicians, other disciplines and public. Maintains focus on patient. No complaints received.

Assists with training of other staff members on electronic bed monitoring system and job functions, attaining correct admission orders and diagnosis.

HH LIAISON:

Assures all intake information is complete and accurate including patient information (phone numbers and address) physician information (name, address, phone number, fax number and insurance information).

Manages all outside referrals and accepts referrals based on policy assuring that outside hospital referrals have a local physician that has agreed to follow the patient.

Obtains physician orders on all new referrals and resumes.

Initiates face to face form, filling out the patient and physician name puts together with the referral packet.

HOSPICE LIAISON:

Coordinates with Hospice Medical Director and Palliative Care Coordinator to provide patients and/or families with all necessary information on services in order to make an informed decision on Hospice vs. Palliative Care.

Evaluates Inpatient Hospice and/or Palliative care referrals medically in order to provide Hospice Medical Director with the necessary assessment data to determine hospice eligibility.

Consults on Inpatient Palliative and Comfort Care patients as requested by the Hospice Medical Director.

Coordinates with hospital and hospice staff to facilitate discharge with hospice to include; discharge orders, DME, transportation and discharge time/admit time.

Meets with Inpatient Unit managers, attend staff meetings and provide information/inservices to hospital clinicians regarding Hospice services.

Evaluates potential patients for hospice eligibility at other hospitals, facilities and in private homes as needed.

Participates in community outreach and marketing to physicians, long term care facilities and assisted living facilities.

Provides in-services to care facilities as needed.

Participates as Administrator On Call.

Additional

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and services appropriate to the population served on the assigned unit or work area. Knowledgeable of growth and development for all patient/family cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age specific needs. Able to effectively communicate and care for patient and family as reflected in the Plan for Provision of Care.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Pay Range

$46.44 -$69.66

If you want to use your talents alongside people who face each day with courage and purpose, in an environment that empowers you to do your absolute best, this is where you belong.