Discharge Planner, Registered Nurse
About the role
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Manager, Inpatient Surgical Care/Child Life Services, the Discharge Planner provides a leadership role in planning and coordinating the appropriate and timely discharge of patients from hospital including the authorization of NSH Continuing Care services. This role will embrace the Home First philosophy and provide IWK hospital based care coordination assessments, resource allocation and authorization of continuing care programs and services to successfully support smooth transitions from hospital to home across all NSH zones. As an integral member of a multi-disciplinary team, which includes NSH Continuing Care program employees, the Discharge Planner works closely with the patient’s family and other health care professionals in the acute care setting, and liaises closely with many community-based programs and services. The Discharge Planner promotes and coordinates the practice of family centred discharge planning. This role provides anticipatory guidance for patients and families with complex care needs who are preparing for home or transfer within Nova Scotia.
Key Responsibilities (but not limited to):
• Facilitates timely, comprehensive discharge plans for patients and families that result in continuity of care and efficient use of hospital and community resources.
• Assumes a leadership role in the complex discharge coordination process, including the early identification and intervention of patient and family needs.
• Complies with NSH Continuing Care policies, programs, and services.
• Performs comprehensive assessments on all patients and families referred to Discharge Coordination, including functional and financial information.
• Liaises with patients, families, nurses, physicians, social workers, and other multi-disciplinary team members, across all NSHA zones and, within appropriate programs and services outside of Continuing Care.
• Documents plan of care appropriately. Complies with quality management principles.
• Provides information to patients and families regarding available community resources, to assist with discharge from hospital.
• Promotes quality health care by performing any other related duties that may be assigned or required to meet the objectives of the Discharge Coordination role.
Hours of Work
Monday to Friday 0800-1600
Your Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, plus five (5) years related pediatric experience. A combination of education, training and experience as deemed essential may be considered.
• Experience across the continuum of care and knowledge of the Continuing Care Program and other community resources required.
• Knowledge of community agencies, resources, home care and long-term care programs and of social assistance and child/adult protection legislation required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of system theories of aging, family dynamics and solutions focused theory.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within an inter-disciplinary team and in a self-directed environment, exercising strong leadership, organizational, time management, judgement and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with external agencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and to promoting a culture that supports safety, ethical practices and organizational health.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to interact positively with clients, families, other healthcare providers and staff, demonstrating a genuine concern for others.
• Competency with computers is essential and knowledge of Microsoft Word, e-mail applications and keyboarding is an asset.
• Demonstrated regular attendance in current and previous employment.
• Valid Nova Scotia Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Physical and mental requirements to perform the duties of the position, including working alone or with team members in the community or home setting; working flexible hours; traveling to zones within the province as necessary.
About Nova Scotia Health Authority
We are Nova Scotia Health. We are rural and urban. We are in hospitals, health centres and community. We serve individuals and communities from Yarmouth to Cape Breton, from Amherst to Halifax, and everything in between.
We are researchers and learners, looking for new ways to prevent and treat disease and maintain health. We are partners – with community groups, schools, government, foundations and auxiliaries, community health boards and, most importantly, with you.
Most of all, we are a community of caring, compassionate people who care deeply about health, healing and learning. Together with you, we will create a healthier Nova Scotia.
Mission: Working together to achieve excellence in health, healing and learning
Vision: Healthy people, healthy communities – for generations
Discharge Planner, Registered Nurse
About the role
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Manager, Inpatient Surgical Care/Child Life Services, the Discharge Planner provides a leadership role in planning and coordinating the appropriate and timely discharge of patients from hospital including the authorization of NSH Continuing Care services. This role will embrace the Home First philosophy and provide IWK hospital based care coordination assessments, resource allocation and authorization of continuing care programs and services to successfully support smooth transitions from hospital to home across all NSH zones. As an integral member of a multi-disciplinary team, which includes NSH Continuing Care program employees, the Discharge Planner works closely with the patient’s family and other health care professionals in the acute care setting, and liaises closely with many community-based programs and services. The Discharge Planner promotes and coordinates the practice of family centred discharge planning. This role provides anticipatory guidance for patients and families with complex care needs who are preparing for home or transfer within Nova Scotia.
Key Responsibilities (but not limited to):
• Facilitates timely, comprehensive discharge plans for patients and families that result in continuity of care and efficient use of hospital and community resources.
• Assumes a leadership role in the complex discharge coordination process, including the early identification and intervention of patient and family needs.
• Complies with NSH Continuing Care policies, programs, and services.
• Performs comprehensive assessments on all patients and families referred to Discharge Coordination, including functional and financial information.
• Liaises with patients, families, nurses, physicians, social workers, and other multi-disciplinary team members, across all NSHA zones and, within appropriate programs and services outside of Continuing Care.
• Documents plan of care appropriately. Complies with quality management principles.
• Provides information to patients and families regarding available community resources, to assist with discharge from hospital.
• Promotes quality health care by performing any other related duties that may be assigned or required to meet the objectives of the Discharge Coordination role.
Hours of Work
Monday to Friday 0800-1600
Your Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, plus five (5) years related pediatric experience. A combination of education, training and experience as deemed essential may be considered.
• Experience across the continuum of care and knowledge of the Continuing Care Program and other community resources required.
• Knowledge of community agencies, resources, home care and long-term care programs and of social assistance and child/adult protection legislation required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of system theories of aging, family dynamics and solutions focused theory.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within an inter-disciplinary team and in a self-directed environment, exercising strong leadership, organizational, time management, judgement and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with external agencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and to promoting a culture that supports safety, ethical practices and organizational health.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to interact positively with clients, families, other healthcare providers and staff, demonstrating a genuine concern for others.
• Competency with computers is essential and knowledge of Microsoft Word, e-mail applications and keyboarding is an asset.
• Demonstrated regular attendance in current and previous employment.
• Valid Nova Scotia Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Physical and mental requirements to perform the duties of the position, including working alone or with team members in the community or home setting; working flexible hours; traveling to zones within the province as necessary.
About Nova Scotia Health Authority
We are Nova Scotia Health. We are rural and urban. We are in hospitals, health centres and community. We serve individuals and communities from Yarmouth to Cape Breton, from Amherst to Halifax, and everything in between.
We are researchers and learners, looking for new ways to prevent and treat disease and maintain health. We are partners – with community groups, schools, government, foundations and auxiliaries, community health boards and, most importantly, with you.
Most of all, we are a community of caring, compassionate people who care deeply about health, healing and learning. Together with you, we will create a healthier Nova Scotia.
Mission: Working together to achieve excellence in health, healing and learning
Vision: Healthy people, healthy communities – for generations