Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Nursing, the Registered Nurse (RN) is a licensed professional that utilizes specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skills in the care of patients and maintains standards of professional nursing practice in a clinical setting. The RN works in collaboration with the patient, family, physician/nurse practitioner and office staff within the team structure to ensure that patient-centered, cost effective, high quality care is provided. The incumbent has interest and experience in Community Health and plays an integral role in the care coordination and management of patients, supervises the clinical support staff at the site, and is a key member of the Care Team. This is a full-time professional position encompassing all nursing aspects of primary care services including services both in the clinic setting, in the mobile health van, and in the community

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in the care of patients in collaboration with the Care Teams, providers, outreach team, and the clinical support staff. Engender communication and coordination of activities amongst all team members to achieve optimal patient care services and outcomes.
• When working in the clinic setting, perform triage in person or by telephone. Triage medical related calls during clinic sessions (i.e. inquiries from clients, pharmacies, etc.) according to policies and ambulatory care regulations. Assist with triage, translation, and determination of acute issues, transition of care processes, and other duties in the clinical setting. Document interventions and plans in electronic medical record. Triage patients who present for same-day care as needed.
• Responsible for implementation of policies and procedures with respect to all clinical conditions as per Zufall Health Center Policies and Procedures. Identify processes and assist in the development of new policies and procedures as needed.
• Oversee and assist in the implementation and documentation of laboratory services as per CLIA/CLIS regulations and procedures, including point of care and HIV testing.
• Act as NJIIS/VFC liaison for the site, mobile health van or outreach event and ensure that MA staff are entering and reconciling vaccines appropriately. Identify the need for and organize trainings as needed.
• Assist in the review of laboratory and diagnostic studies, flagging those that need immediate attention and working with the care team/provider to inform patients.
• Provide education and counseling for all aspects of primary care services, including vaccine information, procedure review, women’s health and primary care counseling to clients according to medical standing orders and ZHC educational protocols.
• Assess and assist in coordination a response to community needs such as outbreak of illness, need for immunization, need for community education.
• Attend health fairs and other outreach events.
• Educate patients about what, why and how tests are being done. Instruct and assist patients with preparation for all procedures. Obtain informed consent for patients as needed. Assist providers with procedures as needed.
• Provide patient education as per grants and programs including but not limited to, VFC/317 vaccination program, Title X and Ending the Epidemic and according to established guidelines and protocols, and document in the EMR
• Conduct inventories and replenishments of medical and clinical supplies on Highland Health Van as needed and in a timely manner. Conduct periodic inventory of all medications on Highland’s Health Van including refrigerated items. Conduct inventory and replenishment of educational materials and other clinical items on a regular basis.
• Facilitate patient appointments with appropriate providers, subspecialists, programs, services or organizations for the provision of initial and follow-up appointments as needed. Coordinate and document care among different providers and organizations.
• Provide Nurse Visits while following established standing orders and guidelines. Exercise good nursing judgment and knowledge per licensed scope of practice. Apply and maintain current knowledge of principles/protocols specific Zufall Health Center.
• Collect patient history and gather information pertinent to visit; document for communication to provider and to assist with evaluation.
• Give treatments/procedures, medications and injections as ordered. Following established protocols, assists providers in medication administration and refills.
• Assist providers with contacting patients to discuss results and additional procedures. Enter interventions and follow up plans in electronic medical record via telephone encounters.
• Assist patients with completion of medical and prescription forms and requests to other providers and agencies. Assist patients with applications for Charity Care at local hospitals, Medicaid, NJ Family Care and other benefits or insurances as appropriate.
• Act as advocate for patients and their families with community organizations and governmental agencies.
• Prepare reports for analysis and reporting as per grants and requirements of the center.
• Bring any barriers or process issues identified that are interfering with optimal patient care to the attention of the QA PI Team and the Director of Nursing. Participate in collaborative and performance improvement initiatives as directed by Director of Nursing and Chief Medical Officer.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times and as per regulations and health center policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Assume duties of Director of Nursing as assigned in the absence of the Director of Nursing.

Requirements

• Knowledge of nursing principles and practices
• Knowledge of primary care and women’s health issues in an ambulatory care setting and reproductive health/family planning, contraceptives and other medications.
• Excellent knowledge of available community services and resources.
• Excellent communication, orally and written, and excellent team and interpersonal skills.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
• Ability to sensitively communicate well with patients regardless of education and cultural background
• Ability to interact and communicate well with outside providers and agencies.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to follow up with all tasks efficiently, accurately and in a timely manner.
• Maintain high level of confidentially.
• Working knowledge of ZHC policies and procedures, and adoption of mission and values of ZHC.
• Efficient organizational skills.

Education, Training and Experience

• Successful completion of an accredited nursing program, and a passing grade in the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses
• Have current and valid RN license from the state of New Jersey.
• Have current BLS certification.
• Minimum of one experience in an ambulatory care/community health center setting.
• Experience working with community services agencies.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, keyboarding, and experience in the use of electronic medical records.