Nurse (RN)

Registered Nurse

The Registered Nurse is a licensed professional nurse responsible for the coordination of nursing services for the organization. The Registered Nurse facilitates quality services by providing primary care to patients, including assessment, treatment, care planning and nursing care evaluation. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to staff training, participation in quality assurance/quality improvement activities; medical and supply inventory management, patient panel management/clinic patient flow; also provides back up support to the primary care and mental health care teams as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Ensures nursing practices of the care team as well as own practices are in accordance with nursing standards, local, state and federal guidelines and organizational policy.
• Coordinates all QA/QI activities for the program, including those related to Ryan White standards as well as eHIVQual requirements.
• Ensures compliance with all infection control, safety and confidentiality guidelines (OSHA, CLIA, HIPAA, etc.).
• Interfaces with physicians and all staff members as it relates to the patient care team; provides backup support to care team as appropriate.
• Coordinates phone calls from patients regarding their questions and refers to appropriate resource, i.e., physician, case management.
• Provides patient education by supporting and teaching patients about self-care management goals/activities.
• Coordinates medication administration and reconciliation for co-located programs (if applicable).
• Calls patients at physician's request to assure compliance with treatment plan and/or response to treatment prescribed.
• Follows up on abnormal laboratory results requiring patient action and possibly remeasurement; this includes but not limited to altering medication dosage as per physician's order and/or accepted protocols and dietary changes, etc.
• Coordinates requests for medication refills according to organizations' procedure and protocols.
• Coordinates outpatient work-up and or treatment plans when patient situation requires it (i.e. further clinical testing, x-rays, and facilitates communication between physicians and health care providers).
• Provides direct care for patients including vital signs, blood pressure monitoring and medication administration. Monitors patients during a medical emergency situation, while waiting for 911 assistance and transport to Emergency Department.
• Utilizes EMR to document all patient care, medication administration.
• Promotes patient education through assessment; develops strategies to maintain high levels of wellness for at-risk populations.
• Maintains licensure and certification as required and is responsible for own professional development through periodic attendance at ongoing educational events.
• Participates in program evaluation and quality improvement activities.
• Supports implementation of programs and procedures developed at an organizational level.
• Understands and supports practice of other team members and refers patients appropriately.
• Assist with compliance with FQHC standards and regulations where applicable
• Performs other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing program;
• Current registration and active license as a New York State Registered Nurse;
• Experience as a nursing care practitioner;
• CPR certification or completion of certification during employment; Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Demonstrated understanding of the needs of clients in treatment for HIV/AIDS and substance abuse; Ability to see, hear and speak to clients; Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred.