Position Summary
The PRN Registered Nurse (RN) provides skilled nursing services to patients in their homes in accordance with physician/provider orders, the established plan of care, agency policies, and applicable state and federal regulations.
The PRN RN helps provide flexible clinical coverage based on patient census, geographic needs, staff availability, and scheduling demands. This position requires strong clinical judgment, time management, documentation skills, and the ability to work independently in the home setting.
Primary ResponsibilitiesPatient Care
- Perform skilled nursing visits in the patient's home as assigned.
- Complete comprehensive nursing assessments and evaluate the patient's current condition and needs.
- Monitor vital signs, symptoms, medications, pain, functional status, and changes in condition.
- Provide skilled nursing treatments and interventions according to the patient's plan of care.
- Perform wound care, medication management and education, disease-management education, catheter care, injections, and other skilled nursing services within the RN's scope of practice.
- Educate patients and caregivers regarding diagnoses, medications, treatments, safety, symptom management, and when to contact the agency or physician.
- Identify changes in patient condition and communicate concerns promptly to the appropriate physician/provider and agency clinical leadership.
- Assist in preventing unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations through early identification and management of changes in condition.
Home Health Assessments
Depending on training and assignment, the PRN RN may complete:
- Start of Care (SOC) visits.
- Resumption of Care (ROC) visits.
- Recertification assessments.
- Routine skilled nursing visits.
- PRN/problem-focused nursing visits.
- Discharge assessments.
- OASIS assessments and documentation when required.
Care Coordination
- Coordinate patient care with physicians, nurse practitioners, therapists, home health aides, pharmacies, facilities, caregivers, and other members of the patient's care team.
- Communicate significant changes in condition to the appropriate provider and clinical supervisor.
- Obtain and communicate necessary orders related to the patient's care.
- Participate in interdisciplinary care coordination as needed.
- Help ensure the patient's plan of care remains appropriate based on the patient's current condition.
- Communicate scheduling, staffing, safety, hospitalization, and other patient-related concerns to the agency promptly.
Documentation
- Complete accurate, thorough, and timely clinical documentation for all visits.
- Document skilled need, interventions performed, patient response, education provided, and progress toward goals.
- Complete required OASIS documentation accurately when applicable.
- Document physician/provider communication, new orders, medication changes, and changes in patient condition.
- Submit documentation within agency-required timeframes.
- Correct documentation deficiencies or requested revisions promptly.
Medication Management
- Perform medication reconciliation as required.
- Review medications for discrepancies, potential interactions, duplicate medications, and patient understanding.
- Educate patients and caregivers regarding proper medication administration and compliance.
- Notify the appropriate provider of identified medication concerns or discrepancies.
Quality & Compliance
- Follow the patient's established plan of care and applicable physician/provider orders.
- Follow Medicare Conditions of Participation, Ohio nursing requirements, agency policies, infection-control procedures, and applicable payer requirements.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements.
- Report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, unsafe living conditions, or other concerns according to agency policy and applicable law.
- Participate in quality improvement, chart review, competency, and educational activities as requested.
PRN Expectations
PRN nurses are expected to:
- Provide availability to the agency based on agreed-upon PRN requirements.
- Accept visits based on availability, competency, geographic coverage, and patient needs.
- Maintain reliable communication with clinical and scheduling staff.
- Notify the agency promptly if an assigned visit cannot be completed as scheduled.
- Be willing to assist with coverage during increased census, staff absences, vacations, and other scheduling needs.
- Maintain required licenses, certifications, competencies, and continuing education.
- Travel to patient homes within the agency's service area.
PRN status does not guarantee a specific number of hours or visits.
QualificationsRequired
- Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the State of Ohio.
- Graduate of an approved school of professional nursing.
- Current CPR/BLS certification.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
- Current automobile insurance as required by agency policy.
- Ability to travel independently to patient homes.
- Ability to complete electronic clinical documentation.
- Ability to work independently and exercise appropriate clinical judgment.
Preferred
- Previous home health experience.
- Medicare-certified home health experience.
- Experience completing OASIS assessments.
- Experience with wound care, chronic disease management, and medication management.
- Familiarity with home health electronic medical record systems.
Skills & Competencies
The PRN RN should demonstrate:
- Strong clinical assessment skills.
- Effective patient and caregiver education.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to changes in patient condition.
- Strong organization and time-management skills.
- Accurate and timely documentation.
- Ability to work independently in a patient's home.
- Professional communication with physicians, facilities, referral sources, patients, families, and agency staff.
- Ability to prioritize multiple patients and assignments.
Physical Requirements
The position may require the ability to:
- Travel frequently between patient homes.
- Stand, walk, bend, kneel, and reach during patient care.
- Assist with patient positioning and mobility when appropriate.
- Carry clinical supplies and equipment.
- Perform nursing procedures safely in a variety of home environments.
Reporting Structure
The PRN Registered Nurse reports to the Director of Nursing, Clinical Manager, or other designated clinical supervisor.
Schedule
Employment Status: PRN / As Needed
Visits are scheduled based on patient needs, census, geographic coverage, nurse availability, and agency staffing needs. Availability may include weekdays, evenings, weekends, or on-call coverage depending on agency needs and the nurse's agreed-upon availability.
Pay: From $33.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
