Nurse Liaison

Job Summary: To develop and execute business development programs designed to drive brand awareness, educate key constituents, recruit resources, increase referrals/admissions/ conversion rate and support development efforts within the hospital setting. Develop and sustain business partnerships to generate early and appropriate referrals. Identify new opportunities for partnerships. Establish working relationships and open lines of communication between appropriate personnel within NorthStar Care Community (NSCC), patients and families, physicians, discharge planners, nursing and facility staff.

Essential Functions:

1. Develops and sustains strong relationships with referral sources with a focus on increasing referrals and admissions to NSCC. Primary focus on hospital and facility-based accounts. Interacts with all health care team members, clients and their families to answer questions regarding hospice and palliative care services and sign on to service.
2. Populates a central business development database with key hospital contact/activity information.
3. Develops, implements and takes responsibility for an annual hospital plan to increase referrals and conversion rate.
4. Assesses needs for and conducts educational in-services for providers.
5. Makes recommendations on market needs and clinical opportunities.
6. Manages, coordinates and documents the admission process for each referral and provides updates to the Caregiver Support Center. Identifies and resolves any process issues for referral sources.
7. Discusses options and alternatives with physicians regarding hospice and palliative services. Verifies and communicates initial assessment of hospice needs and plan for services. Routinely follows the progress of prospective patients.
8. Submits information on competitive activity/trends within the hospital.
9. Interfaces with members of the Business Development team and the clinical team within the same geography to ensure appropriate coverage.
10. Works with the AVP, Business Development and the clinical manager on targeting and growing referrals and admissions.
11. Completes an initial, comprehensive and ongoing comprehensive assessment of patient and family to determine hospice and palliative needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).
12. Develops and initiates the plan of care in accordance with current professional standards and practice, and makes necessary revisions as patient status and needs change. Includes the patient and the family in the planning process.
13. Communicates and coordinates health care instructions to the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.
14. Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required.
15. Communicates with hospital health-related persons to coordinate the care plan.
16. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.
17. Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care with discharge planning.
18. Attends interdisciplinary team meeting as indicated by clinical manager.
19. Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available in a timely manner.
20. Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains/upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through participation in continuing education and in-service classes.
21. Adjusts to changes in workload and schedules based on changing departmental and organizational priorities.
22. Adheres to organizational Code of Conduct, policies, procedures, protocols, processes, and all regulatory and legal requirements.
23. Adheres to the NorthStar standards to care for every person, every time, 100% of the time.

Qualifications:

1. Graduation from an accredited school of nursing with possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Michigan is required.
2. At least two (2) years’ hospice experience and/or three (3) years’ sales experience with positive results in a healthcare environment is required. One (1) to two (2) years of recent acute care experience in an institutional setting desirable.
3. Hospice Certification (CHPN) preferred.
4. Must be able to read, write, and speak English and be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing in internal and external relationships for all essential job functions.
5. Ability to effectively use technology in support of clinical operations, including Microsoft Office.
6. The physical and sensory demands of the position include: vision, effective speech and hearing for extensive telephone contact; repetitive motion; traveling; driving or riding in motor vehicle; standing, sitting, walking, bending, reaching, and stretching; lifting up to forty-five (45) pounds unassisted and the ability to assist in lifting patients using appropriate lifting techniques and/or devices.
7. Must possess excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, effective organizational, prioritization and follow-through skills, attention to detail, tact, dependability, emotional intelligence and the ability to promote positive, constructive relationships with communication and collaboration at all levels with the ability to maintain confidentiality.
8. Proof of current tuberculin testing required. Patient/facility contact will not be allowed until tuberculin clearance is documented.
9. Must have reliable transportation to be able to travel and maintain the rigors of a busy schedule. Frequently works variable hours/days; activities and workload may require extended days.
10. Must be eligible to work in the United States.