Registered Nurse (RN)

JOB SUMMARY:
A Registered Nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional and an essential member of the patient-centered healthcare team. This individual is responsible for pre-visit planning, phone triage, patient follow-ups, patient education, collaboration as part of a care team with Providers and Medical Assistants, standard rooming responsibilities and assisting with procedures if/when necessary, and other duties as assigned. The RN may be required to cross train as needed to maintain optimal clinic operations.

ESSENTIAL BEHAVIORS:
Build Trust: Operate with transparency; place confidence in colleagues, give proper credit to others. Follow through on agreed upon actions. Treat sensitive or confidential information appropriately. Keep emotions under control. Exhibit ethical and moral behavior in everyday business conduct.
Foster Communication: Demonstrate ability to carefully listen to others at all levels of the organization. Seek and listen to feedback and be approachable. Express thoughts and ideas effectively. Display and promote cross cultural sensitivity.
Display Stewardship: Understand business implications of decisions. Conserve organization resources. Look for ways to improve and promote quality. Take personal responsibility. Use resources in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
As part of the care team, the RN is responsible for direct and indirect patient care activities, including:

• Act as the Triage Nurse to allocate all medical services to best serve the needs of all the patients.
• Utilizes strong assessment and critical thinking skills, able to effectively triage to provide exceptional and compassionate patient care according to established protocols.
• Helps to maintain clinic workflow, working collaboratively as a team member of the clinic staff to provide high quality and efficient service to patients and clinic.
• Prioritizes patients' needs and bringing potential emergencies to the attention of providers as needed.
• Reports and coordinates with Nurse Supervisor the activities related to patient flow in clinical area.
• Participates in maintenance of records for care and treatments given to patients/clients; collecting information on patient behavior and treatment as needed.
• Plans, implements, and provides anticipatory care and follow-up services for clients through health screenings.
• Provides patient education and information.
• Answers patient's questions regarding preventative health care, therapeutic regimens, prescriptions, complications of therapy and other concerns, which are within the scope of the registered nurse's training.
• Assists with medical emergencies as part of the Code Team.
• Maintains inventory and medical equipment.
• Requires accurate and timely documentation in OCHIN EPIC. Assists in maintaining accurate records for procedures performed, tests administered, and results received.
• When assistance is needed to maintain optimal clinic flow:
  • Performs vitals by checking BP, HR, RR, WT, HT, pain, and temperature.
  • Performs routine CLIA waived lab procedures.
  • Reviews patient chart on each visit.
  • Performs EKGs, phlebotomy, TB skin tests, and other standard care.
  • Assist providers during exams and/or with procedures as needed
• Follows Supervisor and Provider orders as instructed.
• Explain medical procedures to patients.
• Administers topical, oral, or intramuscular medications.
• Participates in clinical committees, quality improvement studies, audit preparation, etc. as needed.
• Acts as a member of the Care Team
• Maintains confidentiality and follow HIPAA regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Training):

• Current Wisconsin Registered Nurse License required.
• 1 year or more of experience in a clinical position with demonstrated core competencies in performing skills such as: immunizations, EKG, obtaining vital signs, routine medication administration, phlebotomy, and infection control guidelines.
• 1 year or more of experience with nursing triage. Able to apply nursing knowledge and experience practically.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).
• Proficient PC skills with exposure to electronic medical records systems.
• Good written and verbal communication skills required.
• Perform applicable functions within the Electronic Health Record and other software such as Excel and Word.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow HIPAA regulations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Annual and individual trainings.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to develop rapport and maintain positive relationships with a variety of patients, staff, and providers.
• Ability to understand and react with cultural sensitivity to client needs.
• Bilingual preferred.
• Indigenous preferred.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Work is performed in an office environment utilizing various office equipment including, but not limited to, a computer, copy machine, fax machine, and multi-line phone. Ability to communicate effectively over the telephone, by computer and in person. Ability to perform well in a fast-paced work environment.
This is a general outline of the essential functions of this position and shall not be construed as an all-inclusive description of all work requirements and responsibilities. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by the designated work leader(s). All requirements are subject to change over time. All positions at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center have the responsibility to carry out functions to maintain inspection and survey readiness, participate in Quality Improvement initiatives, as well as assist in and/or provide education for health promotion and disease prevention. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
GLIIHC supports a safe, healthy and drug-free work environment through criminal and caregiver background checks and pre-employment drug testing. GLIIHC maintains a smoke-free environment.