Ambulatory Pulmonary RN

SUMMARY:

Reports to Clinical Manager (or designee) to provide direct patient care to a specific patient population served by a physician practice. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, cardiac stress tests, anticoagulation management, patient education, starting IVs, and administering medications. Acts as an advocate in the application of the nursing process. All essential functions performed in this position reflect the age specific needs of the patients.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Aids providers in the provision of patient care to a specific patient population. Assists with the management of patient calls to the practice, such as taking direct patient calls or triaging calls to the appropriate physician or other provider within the practice, if clinician involvement is needed. Provides information to patients regarding diagnostic test results and confirms scheduled appointments.
• Triages and tracks patients with acute problems (such as walk-ins with shortness of breath). Makes appropriate preparations and alerts staff as needed. Ensures provider is notified of patients arriving as result of triage encounter.
• Obtains and interprets a health history for patients seen in the clinic setting. Reviews laboratory and radiology test results. Notifies providers of same. May pre-screen test results for clinicians, taking note of abnormalities and acting on abnormalities according to established protocols and/or reporting of same to designated provider Modifies nursing care plan as appropriate. Monitors patient when physician or LIP is not able to remain with patient. Provides necessary nursing intervention as appropriate.
• Depending upon practice assignment and patient populations served, may perform following procedures or tests: give intramuscular injections/vaccinations; administer EKGs; perform oxygen needs assessment.
• Provides telephone or on-site clinical advice to patients regarding treatment of certain minor acute problems related to pulmonary care, following established telephone guidelines and protocols. May call pharmacy for patients requesting medication refills, in accordance with established protocols.
• Maintains adequate supplies of department stock medications to meet anticipated needs. Reorders as appropriate and within level of authority.
• Provides for patient and family teaching, such as medications, use of inhalers and hand nebulizer, in accordance with standards and patient teaching guidelines. Provides for phone call monitoring and follow-up activities to patients and families. Documents activities into medical record in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Communicates in timely manner relevant patient data to the health care team verbally and/or in the medical record. Ensures maintenance of patient confidentiality.
• Assists in coordinating administrative and clinical issues related to following nursing home patients and patients receiving home care. This may include facilitating renewal of physician's orders. Ensures resources are utilized in cost-effective manner.
• Coordinates communications received on patients as received from emergency rooms, health centers and other agencies who may be involved in the care process.
• May assist in administrative activities of the practice, including recommending changes to practice administration to enhance effectiveness of patient scheduling, records documentation and maintenance and the like.
• Maintains and enhances knowledge of professional nursing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of a school of nursing, Baccalaureate in Nursing preferred
• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Rhode Island
• Conformity to the Code of Professional Nurses. Understanding of the provisions of the Nurse Practice Act of the state of Rhode Island. Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.
• Computer and typing skills necessary to navigate an electronic record and communicate effectively.
• Basic Life Support certification.
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification required; but may obtain within six months of hire

EXPERIENCE:

• Between two to three years’ progressively more responsible related experience as a Registered Nurse within a patient care environment with expertise/ interest in pulmonary medicine. Demonstrated skills necessary to provide care for a specific patient population serviced by the physician practice, including effective consideration of the aging processes, human developmental stages and cultural patterns.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Healthcare environment such as acute care hospitals, physicians’ offices and ancillary healthcare enterprises. Works with medical equipment and has direct patient contact. Any potential hazards are minimized by adherence to established safety procedures and precautions including use of safety equipment and protective clothing.

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

• Functions independently to carry out nursing care plans, but within scope of responsibility and authority to act.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None.

Pay Range:

EEO Statement:

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

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Driving Required: