Registered Nurse

at  Discovery Ltd

Business Unit: Discovery Health
Function: Nursing
Date: 17 Sep 2024
Discovery HealthCare Services
Registered Nurse
About Discovery
Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.
About HomeCare
Discovery HomeCare is a service provider that offers home-based care. Using the services of Discovery HomeCare, a member belonging to a scheme administered by Discovery Health, can receive care in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their home. Discovery HomeCare is an accredited service provider that offers our member’s high-quality service from professional nurses who have received additional quality training from Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd.
Key purpose

The Home-Based Care Nurse will be responsible for but not limited to the following:

• Individualized care for clients in their own home following a hospital stay or for long term care clients who would like to be treated in the comfort of their own home
• Assess, plan, deliver and evaluate the care needs of acute, chronic, and terminally ill clients of all ages
• Provide treatment and procedures ordered by a medical practitioner
• Administer any tasks required
• Provide education, counselling and guidance to clients or families and other caregivers

Key Outputs

• Tasks include giving injections, wound care and IV therapy
• Regularly check vital signs and report any problems to the primary physician
• Work with other care professionals such as the client ‘s doctor, care worker and family
• Make recommendations to the doctor based on client’s assessments, request of additional equipment or services to benefit the client
• Responsible for the upkeep of equipment
• Conduct assessments of the home environment of clients in order to make sure the client is in an environment conducive to recovery and comfort
• Positively impact and influence client care
• Identify and implement opportunities for improvement to existing care
• Keep accurate records of care visits
• Work independently

Competencies

Clinical Knowledge and Skills:

• Patient assessment
• Ability to assess patients’ condition and develop care plans
• Wound care: Experience with extensive wound care management and monitoring of infections
• Medication Managements: Administering and educating patients on medications
• IV Therapy and injections: proficiency in setting up and maintaining IV’s and giving injection
• Vital Signs Monitoring: Regularly checking and interpreting BP, HR, O2 Saturation, Temperature, etc.
• Disease Management
• Maintenance and accurate record keeping
• Maintenance and safe keeping of all equipment and stock

Communication Skills: (both written and verbal):

• Patient and family education
• Excellent ability to communicate with all members of the clinical team, including Doctors.
• Interpersonal Communication: Building rapport with patients and families while maintaining professional boundaries
• Ability to accurately follow instructions

Cultural Competency:

• Understanding and respecting cultural differences in patient care

Adaptability:

• Flexibility to adapt to various home environments and unpredictable circumstances (medical emergency) and timing requirements

Time Management

• Ability to work with a sense of urgency and speed whilst maintaining accuracy
• Ability to manage time effectively when moving between patients’ homes.
• Ability to utilize a travel optimization tool that assists with real time movement between patients

Critical thinking and Problem solving
Independence and Accountability
Health promotion and Education
Coordination and collaboration
Compassion and patience

Maintaining the standards set out by the SANC Code of Conduct:

• The nurse has a responsibility to act ethically, responsibly, and in the best interest of the patient at all times. It underscores the importance of continuous professional development, accountability, and the need to uphold professional standards to maintain the trust and confidence of the public.

Professional behavior and dress- are essential aspects of a Registered Nurse’s (RN) role, reflecting their commitment to patient care, safety, and the dignity of the profession.

• Clean and Appropriate Uniform: - Wear a clean, pressed, and well-maintained uniform that complies with the Home Health’s dress code.
• Footwear: - Wear clean, comfortable, and closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles to ensure safety and mobility. - Footwear should be appropriate for long shifts and frequent movement.
• Minimal Accessories: - Jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Avoid dangling earrings, large rings, or necklaces that could interfere with patient care or pose a safety hazard. - A simple watch with a second hand is often useful for monitoring vital signs.
• Personal Hygiene: - Maintain excellent personal hygiene, including regular handwashing and the use of deodorant. - Refrain from wearing strong perfumes or scented products that may trigger allergies or sensitivities in patients.
• Hair and Grooming: - Hair should be neat, clean, and secured away from the face. Long hair should be tied back to avoid contact with patients or equipment. - Facial hair for male nurses should
• Nails- must be short, clean and well-manicured. Clear or neutral polish may be applied.
• Eyelashes- no false eyelashes or extensions may be worn while on duty

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree/Diploma in Nursing
• Must be registered with SANC and practicing
• 1 year ICU/Trauma/ Dialysis or Anaesthetic experience
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft office and fully computer literate
• Must have a valid driver’s license and own, insured roadworthy vehicle
• Active BLS certification

Advantageous

• Specialty in inserting of IV drip, Wound Care and Pain Management
• Flexible availability
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Home-Based Care Nurse
• Exposure to all therapeutic disciplines
• Knowledge in Home monitoring technology

The Home-Based Care Nurse will be responsible for but not limited to the following:

• Individualized care for clients in their own home following a hospital stay or for long term care clients who would like to be treated in the comfort of their own home
• Assess, plan, deliver and evaluate the care needs of acute, chronic, and terminally ill clients of all ages
• Provide treatment and procedures ordered by a medical practitioner
• Administer any tasks required
• Provide education, counselling and guidance to clients or families and other caregiver

Professional behavior and dress- are essential aspects of a Registered Nurse’s (RN) role, reflecting their commitment to patient care, safety, and the dignity of the profession.

• Clean and Appropriate Uniform: - Wear a clean, pressed, and well-maintained uniform that complies with the Home Health’s dress code.
• Footwear: - Wear clean, comfortable, and closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles to ensure safety and mobility. - Footwear should be appropriate for long shifts and frequent movement.
• Minimal Accessories: - Jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Avoid dangling earrings, large rings, or necklaces that could interfere with patient care or pose a safety hazard. - A simple watch with a second hand is often useful for monitoring vital signs.
• Personal Hygiene: - Maintain excellent personal hygiene, including regular handwashing and the use of deodorant. - Refrain from wearing strong perfumes or scented products that may trigger allergies or sensitivities in patients.
• Hair and Grooming: - Hair should be neat, clean, and secured away from the face. Long hair should be tied back to avoid contact with patients or equipment. - Facial hair for male nurses should
• Nails- must be short, clean and well-manicured. Clear or neutral polish may be applied.
• Eyelashes- no false eyelashes or extensions may be worn while on dut