Field RN (Hospice / Palliative Care)- Houston, TX

WellMed, part of the Optum family of businesses, is seeking a RN Field Case Manager to join our team in Houston, TX. Optum is a clinician-led care organization that is changing the way clinicians work and live.

As a member of the Optum Care Delivery team, you’ll be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone.

At Optum, you’ll have the clinical resources, data and support of a global organization behind you so you can help your patients live healthier lives. Here, you’ll work alongside talented peers in a collaborative environment that is guided by diversity and inclusion while driving towards the Quadruple Aim. We believe you deserve an exceptional career, and will empower you to live your best life at work and at home. Experience the fulfillment of advancing the health of your community with the excitement of contributing new practice ideas and initiatives that could help improve care for millions of patients across the country. Because together, we have the power to make health care better for everyone. Join us and discover how rewarding medicine can be while

Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The CareCoach Connect RN / Case Manager coordinates care and provides ongoing nursing assessments of the patient and family needs in coordination with the patient’s plan of care.

The CareCoach Connect RN / Case Manager works closely with the interdisciplinary team members and the CareCoach Connect supervising clinician.

Primary Responsibilities :

Conducts telephonic and in home patient assessments on established Care Coach Connect patients

Conducts urgent / acute visits on established CareCoach Connect patients with the goal of keeping the patient out of the hospital in order to receive the best medical care at home

Provides ongoing assessments of the impact of life-limiting and / or chronic illness(es) on the patient’s physical, functional, psychosocial and environmental needs

Assess for caregiver burnout and provide community resources when appropriate

Implement the individualized plan of care and recommend revisions to the plan as necessary

Ability to perform procedures, to include, but not limited to :

Wound care and dressing change

Phlebotomy

Injections (B12, vaccines)

Ability to conduct an advance care planning discussion with patient and their family and properly document their wishes in the electronic medical record

Consults and educates the patient / family and other caregivers regarding the disease process, pain and symptom management, end of life care and processes for dealing with issues of ethical concern

Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures when appropriate

Ensure continual assessment of patient and family needs from admission to CareCoach Connect throughout the course of care.

Provides ongoing evaluation of the patient and family / caregiver response to care and recommends alteration of the plan when necessary

Attends the interdisciplinary meeting and is a crucial and vocal member of the team

Solves problems by gathering and / or reviewing facts and selecting the best solution from identified alternatives. Decision making is usually based on prior practice or policy, with some interpretation. Applies individual reasoning to the solution of a problem devising or modifying processes and writing procedures

Conducts telephonic nursing follow up and case management when necessary

Serves as a resource or consultant for LVN / MA

Attends educational offerings to keep abreast of chronic medical conditions and complies with licensing requirements

Establishes a trusting relationship with identified patients, caregivers, clinic staff members and Providers

Collaborates with the providers to recommend policies, procedures and standards which affect the care of the CareCoach Connect Patient

Exhibits professionalism and is courteous with all patients, physicians and co-workers

Informs the provider of patient’s needs and outcomes of interventions as per standards

Follows CareCoach Connect providers’ orders regarding the scope and frequency of services needed based on acuity and patient / family needs

Coordinates all patient / family services and prioritization of needs with the members of the interdisciplinary team

Documents in the electronic health record progress toward established goals as per standards

Uses the case management approach and refers to other services as needed

Maintains a patient case load, daily visits and point of care documentation levels as per standards

Performs all other related nursing duties as assigned

In 2011, WellMed partnered with Optum to provide care to patients across Texas and Florida. WellMed is a network of doctors, specialists and other medical professionals that specialize in providing care for more than 1 million older adults with over 16,000 doctors’ offices. At WellMed our focus is simple. We’re innovators in preventative health care, striving to change the face of health care for seniors. WellMed has more than 22,000+ primary care physicians, hospitalists, specialists, and advanced practice clinicians who excel in caring for 900,000+ older adults. Together, we're making health care work better for everyone.

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications :

Registered Nurse with a current license to practice in the state of employment

Current BLS certification or must obtain certification within 30 days of employment hire date

3+ years of experience in a physician’s office, clinical, hospice or hospital setting

Demonstrate experience of excellent nursing skills

Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Outlook

Reliable transportation for daily travel to various locations as assigned

Must have a valid driver’s license within the state of work

Proven excellent verbal and written skills

Proven ability to interact productively with individuals and with multidisciplinary teams

Proven excellent organizational and prioritization skills

Preferred Qualifications :

Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing certification

2+ years of hospice experience

Experience with home visits

Experience related to advanced care planning and discussions with patients regarding end-of-life wishes

Experience with community-based nursing

Knowledge of palliative and hospice medicine

Bilingual (English / Spanish) language proficiency

Physical & Mental Requirements :

Ability to lift up to 100 pounds

Ability to sit for extended periods of time

Ability to use fine motor skills to operate office equipment and / or machinery

Ability to properly drive and operate a company vehicle

Ability to receive and comprehend instructions verbally and / or in writing

Ability to use logical reasoning for simple and complex problem solving

The salary range for this role is $59,500 to $116,600 annually based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.