Nurse Home Visitor

PRIMARY PURPOSE

Nurse Home Visitors provide high-quality nursing care to patients in their homes. The Registered Nurse (RN) is a licensed professional who uses the Parkland nursing professional practice model to coordinate patient care delivery, which focuses on a particular patient population(s)/specific health condition, by the health care team. Using the nursing process, the RN assesses the patient, identifies nursing diagnoses based on responses to health problems, develops and implements an individualized plan of care, and evaluates the patient's response. The RN utilizes knowledge of patient needs and the healthcare environment to assist patients in transitioning through the healthcare encounter without any preventable complications or delays. The RN delegates interventions to healthcare personnel based on the Texas Nursing Practice Act, each patient's condition, and the competencies of the employee.

MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS

Education

• Must have a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited professional school of nursing.

Experience

• Must have two (2) years' experience in maternal/child health.
• Experience in public health, or home visitation is preferred.
• Fluent in English/Spanish is preferred.

Certification/Registration/Licensure

• Must have valid Class C Texas Driver License.

• Must have current, valid RN license or temporary RN license from the Texas Board of Nursing, or valid Compact State RN license.

• Must have current healthcare provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from one of the following:

• American Heart Association

• American Red Cross

• Military Training Network

• May be required to have additional specialty certifications.

Skills or Special Abilities

• Must be able to provide care to assigned patient population in accordance with the current State of Texas Nursing Practice Act, ANA Scope and Standards established protocols, multidisciplinary plan of care, and clinical area specific standards.
• Must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively with a diverse group of patients, families and healthcare staff.
• Must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of specific patient populations and be able to demonstrate knowledge of disease processes affecting this group.
• Must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of PC operations and the ability to use word processing software in a Windows environment.
• Must be self-directed and capable of priority setting and problem solving.
• Must be able to demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors.
• Must have reliable vehicle transportation for home visits.
• Must be able to maintain a driving record that meets the criteria established by Parkland procedures.
• Must be familiar with traffic regulations and locations in the surrounding areas.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for providing comprehensive community health nursing services to women and their families. The NHV is responsible for maintaining highest standards in clinical nursing practice and adherence to the program model, policies, procedures, and guidelines of Parkland Health.
• Develops and maintains community relationships to support client referrals. Conducts community outreach of potential program patients.
• Develops patient plan of care and communicates plan of care to patients and their families. Ensures implementation of plans to maximize quality and continuity of patient care.
• Collaborates with all multidisciplinary team members to maximize patient health care outcomes. Consults and collaborates with the Nurse Manager and the team during case conferences in the interest of providing optimal patient care.
• Depending on department, may complete nursing assessment of an antepartum, postpartum, postnatal, newborn, infant, and toddler.
• Monitors the patients progress and intervenes as necessary to ensure that the plan of care and services provided are patient focused,
• Facilitates prenatal and/or postpartum depression screening with patients and makes referrals for ongoing services as appropriate.
• Maintains a positive relationship with healthcare providers, community partners, patients and their families to ensure optimum care is provided.
• Completes nursing documentation in accordance with model guidance and Parkland Health policy and procedures.
• Cooperates in review and analysis of documentation and data for achievements and areas of improvement.
• Engages in special projects and serves on committees, as assigned.
• Will be required to visit varying patient home environments.
• Will be required to abide by local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to vehicle operation. Adherence to Parkland Health policies, procedures, and guidelines involving safe driving and vehicle operations.
• Any duties deemed competent.