Full-time 8:00am - 5:30pm, four 9 hour days, rotational Saturday per schedule (not per month), occasional holidays (if needed) JOB SUMMARY The Discharge Registered Nurse (RN) plays a critical role in the transition of patients from inpatient care to home or other care settings within a rehabilitation hospital. This position is responsible for ensuring a smooth, effective, and safe discharge process, with a focus on the coordination of care, patient education, and collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in rehabilitation nursing, discharge planning, and patient advocacy. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS DISCHARGE PLANNING AND COORDINATION Collaborate with physicians, case managers, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure timely and appropriate discharge planning. Assess patients readiness for discharge, considering physical, emotional, and social factors that may impact the transition. Coordinate and assist with the development of individualized discharge plans, including recommendations for home health care, follow-up appointments, medications, and durable medical equipment needs. ESTABLISHES A COMPASSIONATE ENVIRONMENT By providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families. PROMOTES PATIENTS INDEPENDENCE By establishing patient care goals Explain discharge instructions, medication regimens, wound care, and any necessary lifestyle adjustments. Offer emotional support and address patient/family concerns regarding the discharge process. Educating patient, friends, and family to understand post-discharge care, medications, and self-care skills and rehabilitation goals achieved Answering questions by applying rehabilitation principles to patients served. By demonstrating competence in providing age specific care to pediatric patients, adult patients and geriatric patients. ASSURES QUALITY OF CARE By adhering to therapeutic standards Monitor patient outcomes related to discharge, including follow-up care and readmission rates, and contribute to quality improvement initiatives. Identify and address potential issues that could delay discharge, ensuring that patient safety and care quality are maintained. Making or recommending necessary adjustments. Following hospital and nursing divisions philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, State Nurse Practice Act, and other governing agency regulations. By participating in performance improvement activities involving discharge. RESOLVES PATIENT PROBLEMS AND NEEDS By utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies By utilizing established communication methods to ensure resolution of patient problems and needs for discharge. By communicating patient status and barriers to discharge to the interdisciplinary team. DOCUMENTS PATIENT CARE SERVICES Ensure that all discharge-related documentation is completed accurately and in compliance with hospital policies, regulatory standards, and insurance requirements. Maintain updated patient records in accordance with HIPAA regulations. MAINTAINS PATIENT CONFIDENCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONFIDENTIALITY By keeping information confidential. MAINTAINS SAFE AND CLEAN WORKING ENVIRONMENT By complying with procedures, rules, and regulations calling for assistance from health care support personnel by maintaining a clean and safe unit environment keeping patient rooms, supply rooms and hallways free from clutter by complying with procedures, rules and regulations by adhering to infection control policies and procedures, medication administration and storage procedures and controlled substance regulations. By maintaining compliance with professional, regulatory and governmental standards of care. By demonstrating knowledge of responsibilities in an emergency situation. ENSURES OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT By following manufacturers instructions troubleshooting malfunctions entering work orders for equipment repairs evaluating new equipment and techniques. DEMONSTRATES FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY By checking stock to determine inventory level anticipating needed supplies using equipment/supplies as needed to accomplish job results By minimizing overtime by work prioritization and delegation recognizes and complies with RNs role in reimbursement for patient care services. By identifying and providing input to Nurse Managers on work methods that reduce the cost and/or time required to deliver patient care. By maintaining awareness of unit budget. MAINTAINS PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE By identifying personal educational needs and opportunities attending educational workshops completing mandatory educational requirements reviewing professional publications establishing personal networks participating in professional organizations sharing new knowledge with teams attending unit meetings reading unit memos participating in committees, projects and PI activities. By maintaining responsibility for own professional development through active participation in in-services and/or continuing education programs. MAINTAINS A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP AMONG HEALTH CARE TEAMS By communicating information responding to requests building rapport participating in team problem-solving methods by communicating patient care or team issues to the nurse manager or supervisor holding each team member accountable for patient and team outcomes participate in team meetings offering suggestions for improvement to the program director utilizing the chain of command to present issues or concerns demonstrate positive conflict resolution skills with all associates treat all associates with dignity and respect. CONTRIBUTES TO ORGANIZATIONAL TEAM EFFORT By arriving on duty as scheduled, maintaining attendance, punching in and out as per Good Shepherd policy and maintaining etime sheet. Serve as the primary point of contact for patients and families regarding discharge questions or concerns. Communicate effectively with the interdisciplinary team to ensure continuity of care post-discharge. Ensure seamless transition of care to outpatient services, home health providers, or long-term care facilities, as appropriate. By attending meetings as requested by organizational leaders. By positively representing the profession and organization at work and away from work. Promoting and participating in organizational goals. By mentoring channels of communication among nursing shifts, disciplines, departments, and external customers. By utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies, to assure resolution of patient problems and needs. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education Associates Degree in Nursing or Nursing Diploma required Bachelors Degree in Nursing preferred Work Experience 2 years rehabilitation, patient discharge or other relevant experience required. Licenses / Certifications Registered Nurse license required Basic Life Support / CPR, as a healthcare provider, per the American Heart Association required Certification in Rehabilitation Nursing is preferredor acquired within the appropriate timeframe (to be determined by the hiring manager) of this position.