Licensed Nurse (RN or LPN)

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview:

Under the supervision of the Nurse Manager or Director of Nursing, the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is an essential member of the El Centro Family Health (ECFH) clinical team. The LPN provides safe, effective, and patient-centered care in an outpatient setting, in accordance with the New Mexico Nurse Practice Act and organizational policies.

What You Will Do:

• Deliver nursing care within the scope of practice for licensure, following established protocols, standing orders, and nursing principles.

• Perform focused assessments and triage by collecting vital signs, patient symptoms, and history, reporting urgent or abnormal findings to a provider or supervisor.

• Use the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation of all nursing care, patient interactions, visit notes, and procedures.

• Administer oral, intravenous, and injectable medications, as well as immunizations, accurately in accordance with provider orders and organizational policy.

• Carry out clinical treatments, wound care, and support providers during examinations, specialized treatments, and invasive/minor surgical procedures, including suture removal.

• Perform standing orders, clinical protocols, and diagnostics, such as urinalysis, blood glucose, pregnancy testing, hematocrit testing, peak flow tests, pure-tone audiograms, visual acuity testing, and EKGs.

• Monitor patients for reactions to medications, responsiveness to treatment, and adherence to care plans, suggesting updates to treatment plans and transcribing provider orders after verification.

• Review laboratory and diagnostic results, escalating critical or abnormal findings per clinic protocol.

• Manage patient referrals, track specialty appointments, and assist with continuity of care and case management.

• Provide patient and family education using approved health information and literature on family planning, prenatal care, and disease prevention across all age groups.

• Provide clinical support by answering calls, performing triage, and assisting walk-in patients as needed.

• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to support patient flow and maintain a positive, professional demeanor contributing to high-quality patient care and excellent customer service.

• Ensure the security and adequacy of medications and supplies by ordering, receiving, stocking, and managing pharmaceutical and medical inventory, removing expired items, and performing annual inventory checks.

• Maintain medical equipment, sterilize instruments, clean supplies, and monitor medication refrigerator temperatures and access to the drug room.

• Adhere strictly to HIPAA, OSHA, infection control standards, and PCMH initiatives to support clinic compliance with state licensure and quality assurance protocols.

• Participate in ongoing competency validation, continuing education, and other assigned duties within the scope of licensure.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current, unrestricted LPN license in the State of New Mexico.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Ability to perform focused nursing assessments, administer medications/vaccines, and execute clinical procedures within the LPN scope of practice.
• Proficiency in Electronic Health Record (EHR) documentation and working knowledge of HIPAA, OSHA, and infection control standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in community health, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), or primary care setting.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of New Mexico.
• One year of healthcare experience.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Intermediate proficiency with PC software, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to balance, bend, lift, carry, and pull up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods, typically longer than four hours.
• Flexibility to work a varied schedule, including evenings, weekends, or as needed.
• Manual dexterity and ability to use hands and fingers for feeling, grasping, and operating office equipment.
• Adequate hearing ability for communication and monitoring office environments.
• Good vision for reading documents, operating office equipment, and observing surroundings.
• Capability to stoop, crouch, crawl, or kneel as necessary for office tasks.
• Ability to talk clearly and effectively for communication.
• Ability to walk and move around the office environment.
• This position involves possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious materials.

Exposures:

• Airborne Pathogens
• Blood borne Pathogens-Category I
• Chemicals
• Electrical current; machine vibration; moving parts.
• Muscular and muscular strain
• Noise
• Odors, fumes, toxicants, explosive materials, and chemicals
• Temperature
• Vision and hearing strain

What We Offer:

• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Time
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 100% Employer-Paid Basic Life Insurance
• Voluntary Employee Supplemental Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Education Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Who We Are:

As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, El Centro Family Health is dedicated to providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare to the people of Northern New Mexico. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community by delivering primary care and health education through a network of clinics and collaborative programs. At El Centro, we are committed to offering vital health services in a compassionate, supportive, and patient-centered environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

El Centro Family Health is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace for all.