Outpatient Clinic

Nurse Position

Help patients get the medications they need—without the roadblocks. We are seeking an experienced nurse with specialty/ambulatory care experience and a strong background in medication prior authorizations biologics and specialty therapies. You’ll coordinate the full medication-access process—from PA submission denials and appeals to specialty pharmacy coordination insurance requirements and patient assistance programs—working closely with providers patients payers and pharmacies to keep treatment moving.

Ideal candidates bring:

• Specialty or gastroenterology nursing experience
• Hands-on experience with biologic/high-cost medications and prior authorizations
• Knowledge of denials appeals peer-to-peers formulary and step-therapy requirements
• Experience working with PBMs specialty pharmacies and insurance plans
• Familiarity with EHR medication workflows and CoverMyMeds
• A proven ability to track medication access from initial request through approval and treatment

Work Shift: Day

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Summary: This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by presenting excellent customer service and enables the facilitation of positive patient outcomes by providing nursing support to a Mercy provider.

Job Description:

Job Duties:

• Prepares the progress note for the patient visit by manually bringing in provider-built EPIC documentation tools for the following sections: history of present illness review of system physical exam assessment and plan.
• Ensures health maintenance section (including quality reporting measures) and immunizations are up to date.
• Rooms and prepares the patient for examination. This includes reviewing histories allergies medications reason for visit and taking vitals.
• Per established standing orders of provider orders/administers injections orders/collects specimens for lab testing (ex. Rapid strep tests) and performs phlebotomy as needed.
• Provides test results as directed by Provider.
• Populates patient-reported information into provider-built EPIC documentation tools for the specific disease states and preventative visits.
• Communicates a summary of the patient-reported information to the provider prior to entry of the room or within the room with the patient present.
• Accurately and thoroughly documents the encounter with the patient as it is being performed by the provider which may include documentation in the following sections: problem list history of present illness review of systems physical exam assessment and plan procedures and treatments performed by team patient education orders medications referrals explanations of risks and benefits and instructions for self-care and follow-up.
• Identify the portions of the encounter that were scribed on behalf of the provider using the scribe signature per policy.
• Provides patient instruction using pre-approved patient education materials specific to the chief complaint or for the health promotion of observed behaviors known to contribute to poor health as directed by the provider.
• Prints after visit summary and completes discharge of patient from exam room. This may include scheduling a follow-up appointment providing referral information or scheduling patients for testing procedures and providing instructions.
• Manages phone calls to patients regarding test/lab results and provides appropriate instruction for treatment as directed by the provider.
• Processes medication requests/changes/refills per established written protocols. This includes having knowledge of medications including basic dosages side effects and interactions.
• Provides assistance with diagnostic procedures (ex. EKGs) and treatments (ex. Nebulizer treatments) as directed by the provider. This includes obtaining specimens labeling and disposition to the laboratory and explaining diagnostic procedures to patient as needed.
• Prepares the exam and treatment rooms including instrument supplies and protective devices for exam and testing.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Follows Mercy's safety guidelines carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities and promptly reports any unsafe conditions situations incidents and injuries.

Department Specific Duties:

• Mercy Gynecology Oncology: Assist with in-office procedures as directed by the provider. Schedule procedures to be performed in the OR. Obtains and reviews medical records prior to patient visits to ensure provider has appropriate history available. Provide cross coverage for staff roles within the clinic in support of a unified team approach.
• Mercy Plastic Surgery Clinic: Provides assistance with in-office procedures as directed by the provider. Assists with management of post-surgical wounds. Provides injections of neurotoxins and fillers. Schedules procedures to be performed in the operating room.
• Surgical Oncology: Provides assistance with in-office procedures (biopsies wide local excisions etc.) as directed by the provider. Schedules procedures to be performed in the operating room (coordinating OR Anesthesia and assisting providers as directed).
• Gastroenterology Clinic: Maintains on-site sample medications according to Mercy's policies and procedures. Administers injections as needed. Reviews medical records prior to patient visits to ensure physician/provider has appropriate history to see the patient if not facilitates receipt of documentation testing results and imaging. Provide clinical scribe coverage as needed. Communicate test results and medication changes to patients. Provides coverage for other nursing staff if/when needed.
• Neurosurgery Clinic: Completes discharge of patient from exam room. This may include written instructions scheduling a follow-up appointment providing referral information or scheduling patients for testing procedures and providing instructions. Provides clinical scribe coverage as needed. Maintains and stocks supplies. Surgery scheduler to assist with coordinating operating room procedures to include scheduling pre-op clearances labs imaging and pre-op orders. Facilitates the management of the provider surgery schedules. Provides patient education as needed for pre-op care. Reviews patient charts to ensure eligibility for surgery. Maintains scheduling/cancellation spreadsheets.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Excellent communication and customer service skills computer skills organization time management attention to detail and the ability to remain poised and efficient in a fast-paced environment.

Professional Experience:

Previous experience in a medical office setting preferred.

Education:

Education sufficient to obtain RN licensure required.

Licensure Certification Registration:

Current license to practice as registered nurse in the state of Iowa or compact state required. Current certification in Basic Life Support in accordance with the American Heart Association required. Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse & Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training required. Employee must submit certification of completed training to Human Resources prior to start or transfer date.

Physical Requirements:

Medium: Ability to administer CPR. Able to push and pull of up to 25# of horizontal force on occasional basis and push and pull up to 40# of horizontal force on rare basis. All lifting over 50# should be performed with team lifts. Must be able to lift up to 50# on occasional basis to assist with patient transfers.

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Mercy is an independent community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years. Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity equity and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race color ethnicity ancestry sex sexual orientation gender identity marital status civil union status parental status religion national origin age disability veteran status and other legally protected characteristics.