Rapid Response Nurse

Are you an experienced registered nurse (BScN or diploma) looking for a different kind of practice environment, and comfortable practising both independently and as part of a team? This could be what you’ve been looking for.

As an integral part of our Rapid Response Nursing (RRN) team, you will work with medically complex children, and frail adults and seniors with complex needs and/or high-risk characteristics such as congestive heart failure, to ensure a smooth transition from acute care to home care. You will achieve this in two ways: by connecting with primary care and by providing hands-on rapid response home care.

This program is designed to ensure effective transitions from acute to home care for two target populations: medically complex children and frail adults and seniors with complex needs and/or high risk characteristics e.g. congestive heart failure. To ensure communication and linkage with primary care; and provide timely and effective rapid response home care.

The Rapid Response Nurse provides the first in-home nursing visit within 24 hours from hospital discharge for high needs seniors and children. During this visit, the nurse will confirm the patient hospital discharge care plan, communicate the importance of primary care to avoid re-hospitalization, and perform medication reconciliation for the client.

What will you do?

• In hospital, screen potential patients for program eligibility
• Once the patient is home, confirm scheduling of outstanding medical tests, availability of transportation, etc.
• Either directly or in partnership with a pharmacist, ensure new prescriptions are filled and there are no drug interactions or contraindications
• Review medication protocol with the patient and caregiver, and answer any questions
• Either directly or through a LHIN Care Coordinator, contact the primary care physician and provide an update on the patient’s acute care event and post-discharge regime
• Facilitate the patient’s one-week follow-up visit with the primary care physician
• Provide direct care to patients in collaboration/consultation with a LHIN Care Coordinator or Service Provider(s), as assigned
• Identify patients requiring an accelerated assessment and home care services, and facilitate the home assessment visit
• Support the LHIN Care Coordinator in developing the LHIN patient care plan and ensuring a smooth transition to the ongoing care team