Clinic Nurse (LPN)

POSITION SUMMARY: The clinic nurse/referral nurse works as part of the clinic provider team and assists the providers in the provision of primary health care.  The nurse provides limited direct patient services and performs specifically designated independent procedures.  The clinic nurse is also a member of the health care team and therefore takes part in the delivery of care in accordance with the Patient Centered Medical Home model of care. The nurse is responsible for ensuring that the transition of care across the health care spectrum is smooth and coordinated.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares patients for examination including the identification of the chief complaint, the taking of vital signs, height, weight, etc., and ensures smooth patient flow throughout clinic.


• Collects labs and administers injections as ordered by clinician.


• Makes appointments as ordered by the clinician in a timely manner, notifies patients of the appointments and follows up to make sure patient went and that the correspondence has been received. When appointments are not kept, the nurse contacts patient to assist in problem solving potential issues related to the health care system, financial or social barriers.


• Be the systems navigator and point of contact for patients and families, with patients and families having direct access for asking questions and raising concerns. May assume advocate role on the patient’s behalf with the carrier to ensure approval of the necessary supplies/services for the patient in a timely fashion.


• Assemble information concerning patient’s clinical background and referral needs. Per referral guidelines, provide appropriate clinical information to specialist.


• Contact review organizations and insurance companies to ensure prior approval requirements are met. Present necessary medical information such as history, diagnosis and prognosis. 


• Triage’s patient calls, asking for medical advice from clinician to answer patient questions.


• Routing med refills to appropriate clinician.


• Checking system weekly to ensure that labs/diagnostic imaging or documents have been assigned to a provider.


• Identify and utilize cultural and community resources.


• Assists providers in healthcare activities, performance of diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures, and the administration of medications as necessary.


• Assists with stocking the examining room and special treatment rooms with needed supplies.


• Performs other necessary duties as required by the Clinic Director or Nursing Director to meet the goal of providing primary health care services.


• Attend in house PCMH training.


• Conducts patients screening for hearing, sight, blood pressure and other simple routine procedures.


• Collects specimens.


• In the absence of a laboratory technician, performs routine laboratory procedures.


• Provide patient-centered care that incorporates culturally and linguistically appropriated services.


• Educate patients about health maintenance activities, adoption of healthy behaviors, and support services available in the community.


• Communicate with patient and families about health care issues and the importance of developing self-management goals and healthy behaviors.


• Assist in coordinating seamless transitions of patient care across multiple care settings by using combined expertise of care team members.


• Employ active listening techniques during interactions with patients, families, and team members.


• Utilize quality data to identify process changes that will improve care at the individual patient and population management.


• Use health information systems efficiently to manage and improve care at the individual patient level and system levels and ensure the delivery of timely and accurate information.


• Participate in care team huddles and/or pre-visit planning to prepare and coordinate patient care activities.


• Incorporate quality indicators for specific disease states and /or patient variable into patient care plans.


• Participates in the community health center's quality improvement activities and performs duties in accordance with applicable standards.


• Ensures an appropriate environment for the administration of healthcare by keeping exam rooms, nurses’ station, all equipment, and other work areas in a clean, safe, and orderly fashion.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certification of practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.


• Sufficient experience to carry out the duties of this position.


• Must be qualified in Basic Life Support techniques.


• Ability to relate with warmth and effectiveness to the patients and to the providers of the community health center.


• Participate in on-going age-related in-service training for patients in various age-groups.

STATUS:

This is a FLSA Exempt position.

This is an OSHA low risk position.

This is an ADA negotiable position.

This is a safety sensitive position.

Mid-Delta follows state and federal vaccine recommendations.