Discharge Registered Nurse – Full Time

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital seeks a Discharge Registered Nurse RN to coordinate safe and timely discharges, provide education, and ensure continuity of care as patients transition home.

The role emphasizes collaboration with physicians, case management and interdisciplinary teams, focusing on patient safety, documentation, and evidence-based discharge planning to support optimal outcomes.

Qualifications

• Must hold Louisiana RN license (or compact state license).
• BLS CPR certification.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Ability to read, write and speak English clearly.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and facilitates patient discharges ensuring readiness and appropriate timing.
• Collaborates with physicians, case management, social work and team members to develop discharge plans.
• Assesses discharge needs including home care equipment, medications and follow-up services.
• Provides comprehensive discharge education to patients and families including meds and self-care.
• Ensures accurate and timely completion of discharge documentation in line with hospital policy.
• Reviews discharge medications and educates patients on administration and safety.
• Utilizes electronic medical records for discharge planning and coordination.
• Participates in rounds and discharge planning meetings to optimize outcomes.

Skills

Discharge planning

Patient education

Interdisciplinary collaboration

EMR

Medication administration

Education

Nursing degree

Tools

Smart Pumps

Job description

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Discharge Registered Nurse RN collaborates with the healthcare team to coordinate and facilitate safe timely effective patient discharges evaluating discharge needs to ensure continuity of care The Discharge RN plays a key role in patient education care transitions and coordination with interdisciplinary teams to promote optimal patient outcomes prior to discharge As a member of the Patient Care Team the Discharge RN ensures patients and families are prepared for discharge through comprehensive education resource coordination and follow up planning The RN is responsible for making sound clinical decisions and ensuring each patient receives individualized high quality transitional care

SUPERVISION

Reports directly to Nurse ManagerDirector andor Charge Nurse

RESPONIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Coordinates and facilitates patient discharges ensuring readiness and appropriate timing
• Collaborates with physicians case management social work and interdisciplinary team members to develop and implement discharge plans
• Assesses patient needs for discharge including home care equipment medications and follow up services
• Provides comprehensive discharge education to patients and families including medication instructions follow up appointments and self care guidelines
• Ensures accurate and timely completion of discharge documentation in accordance with hospital policy
• Reviews and reconciles discharge medications demonstrates competency in medication administration and patient teaching
• Utilizes healthcare technology and electronic medical records efficiently
• Demonstrates competency in use of unit specific equipment and technology including Smart Pumps as applicable
• Interprets and implements physician discharge orders appropriately
• Participates in multidisciplinary rounds andor discharge planning meetings
• Promotes patient safety and adherence to evidence based practices during the discharge process
• Identifies and addresses barriers to discharge and escalates concerns as needed
• Ensures compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards related to discharge planning
• Demonstrates service excellence through effective communication bedside reporting and patient centered care practices
• Maintains cultural competence and addresses the diverse needs of patients and families
• Evaluates ethical considerations related to discharge planning and patient care transitions
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and contributes to process enhancements related to discharge efficiency and patient outcomes
• Delegates tasks appropriately and coordinates with support staff to ensure completion of discharge activities

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Graduate of School of Nursing
• Current Louisiana Registered Nurse license or compact state license as Registered Nurse
• BLS CPR Certified
• Ability to read write and speak intelligible English; Ability to learn quickly analyze problems and communicate effectively with superiors peers and others on one to one basis
• Requires emotional stability and resilience; Must be adaptable to change be decisive and demonstrate foresight
• Must be adaptable to change and receptive to delegated responsibilities
• Possesses basic problem solving skills

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work Environment Work requires a variety of physical activities including standing and walking for sustained periods bending and stooping and some lifting of 50 100 pounds at a time The work environment may be physically confining Many nursing skills require acute hearing ability ie listening with stethoscope to breath sounds and heart sounds Must be able to exchange accurate information with patient family peers and medical personnel Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functionsExperience Memorial is more than a slogan its the care we provide our patients and its the commitment to our community and our team members As a nationally certified Great Place to Work at Lake Charles Memorial Health System you will have the opportunity to be a part of an organizational culture that supports not only exceptional patient care but also the well being and professional growth of our employees Join us and be a part of a team where your contributions are valued your growth is nurtured and your success is celebrated Working at Lake Charles Memorial Health System Great Place To Work