Registered Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Registered Nurse

Job Summary : The Registered Nurse is a critical part of the health care team and is responsible and accountable to the patients. Choptank Community Health System (CCHS) encompasses direct patient care, phone triage, health promotion, patient education, patient advocacy, and coordination of services for patients throughout the health care system. Utilizing the nursing process, the staff nurse will assess and identify a patient’s health status and evaluate the patient’s responses. CCHS registered nurses maintain a safe, comfortable, and hazard free environment for patients, visitors, and staff. Registered nurses assume responsibility and accountability for their individual nursing judgments and actions, exercises informed judgment and use individual competence and qualifications as criteria in accepting responsibilities. This is a nonexempt, full-time position in pay grade 7 with the pay range of $31.41 - $45.55. The Registered Nurse reports directly to the Medical Clinical Care Director. 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Working knowledge of automated patient data systems.
• Must demonstrate the ability to use medical equipment and materials safely.
• Must be proficient in computer skills.
• Must be proficient in venipuncture, telephone triage, calculating doses of medications, injections, EKG’s, nebulizer treatments, spirometry, pain screening, collecting, and preparing laboratory specimens and performing basic laboratory tests.
• CPR certified within orientation period.
• Working knowledge of ICD-9 and CPT coding.

Education and Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Current licensure by the Maryland State Board of Nursing.
• Minimum six months nursing experience preferred.
• Preferred experience in various medical settings to include family practice, pediatrics, and women’s health.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• General office environment
• Occasional travel 
• Frequent exposure to workplace conditions includes bending, climbing stairs, walking, kneeling, and reaching. 
• Includes fine and gross motor skills, lifting less than 20 pounds, and vision.
• Occasional exposure to workplace conditions includes air borne pathogens, blood borne pathogens and cleaning agents.

Standards of Behavior: 

• Commitment To Service 
• Respect 
• Quality
• Teamwork 
• Patient Focus 
• Integrity
• Accountability 
• Caring & Compassion
• Professionalism
• Listening & Responding 
• Safety
• AIDET 

Job Related Competencies:

• Empathetic Outlook- The ability to perceive and understand the feelings and attitudes of others; the ability to place oneself “in the shoes” of another and to view a situation from their perspective. 
• Attention to Detail - The ability to process detailed information effectively and consistently.
• Problem Solving- Identifies and analyzes problems weighing the relevance and accuracy of available information. Generates and evaluates alternative solutions and makes effective and timely decisions.
• Communicates Effectively- Developing and delivering multi-mode communication that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Values And Ethics - Serving with integrity and respect in personal and organizational practices. Ensuring decisions and transactions are transparent and fair.
• Time Management- The ability to effectively manage one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

Commitment to Community: 

Choptank Community Health System (CCHS) is committed to creating a safe and open healthcare environment that improves health outcomes and values and respects the unique experiences and perspectives of both patients and staff by: 

• Prioritizing access for all individuals;
• Offering ongoing training for staff to promote health awareness, preventive measures and early detection for the varied patient population on the Eastern Shore;
• Actively engaging with patients, families and staff;
• Fostering a workplace culture in which everyone is treated with dignity.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Patient Interaction and Collaboration
  1. Collects health status data relevant to the patient’s presenting problem in accordance with infection control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures in a continuous, systemic, and complete manner.
  2. Consistently and accurately documents in the Electronic Health Record according to established procedures.
  3. Establishes appropriate priorities in planning patient care.
  4. Properly prepares patient for Clinician by following established intake standards as needed. 
  5. Protects patients by adhering to infection control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures.
  6. Assists in implementing the plan of care as requested by the Clinician including medication reconciliation, venipuncture, calculating doses of medications, injections, EKG’s, nebulizer treatments, pain screening, collecting, and preparing laboratory specimens, performing dressing changes and wound care, and performing CLIA waived tests.
  7. Assists clinician during patient procedures and/or examinations including but not limited to, pap smears, vaginal exams and swabs, colposcopy, incision and drainage, punch biopsies, ear lavage, mole removals, toenail evulsions, Nexplanon insertion and removal, IUD insertion and removal.
  8. Collaborates with other health team members during the entire patient visit process including phlebotomist, clinician, medical assistant, referral coordinator, patient outreach specialist, and PSS. 
• Planning, Implementation of Patient Care, and Patient Education
  1. Performs daily or weekly huddles with Provider Council Leader and other health team members. 
  2. Delivers plan of care as directed by provider.
  3. Delivers patient education based on diagnosis and outcome with up to date and validated materials. 
  4. Administers nursing care in a competent manner and consistently performs duties efficiently.
  5. Provides for implementation of nursing care through communication with appropriate individuals within the healthcare system. This includes specialists, health departments, long term care facilities, group homes, schools, and employers. 
  6. Provides care and education during nurse visits. These nurse visits may include:
     • Diabetic education
     • Medication reconciliation and education
     • Medication administration by oral route or injection per provider’s order. 
     • Injections- B12, testosterone, Depo Provera, PPD placement, injectable antibiotics and steroids; allergy injections as ordered by the patient’s ENT/Allergist. 
     • PPD reading.
     • INR/Coumadin management- fingerstick INR, coordinates with provider to manage Coumadin dosing and education. 
     • Suture and Staple removal
     • Wound care
     • Diet and exercise education to promote health and well-being.
     • Weight checks 
     • Blood pressure checks
     • A1c 
     • Ear lavage
     • Vaccine administration per age and CDC recommendations
• Triage
  1. Demonstrates high level triage skills. 
  2. Provides patients with clear and accurate health information and education. Gives the patient clear advice on handling their situation and addresses their needs in a prioritized and organized manner.
  3. Conducts phone triage per established policies and procedures.
  4. Assesses patient’s questions and concerns during the triage process, assigning appropriate level of acuity and decides course of action, always following established procedures during face-to-face patient encounter and telephone triage.
  5. Documents all aspects of patient telephone encounter in the patient’s electronic health record for every call made and received. Directs patient’s needs and concerns to the appropriate members of the healthcare team as needed. 
  6. Informs patients of test results per clinician’s instruction and interpretation. 
  7. Consistently demonstrates ability to effectively prioritize daily tasks.
• Management of Prescription Medication Requests and Prior Authorizations
  1. Keeps updated information regarding benefit restrictions for all payor groups regarding DME and medication formularies.
  2. Processes prescription medication requests as directed by the prescribing clinician. 
  3. Completes medication prior authorizations in a timely and effective manner. 
  4. Coordinates with clinicians and pharmacists to ensure patient receives medications appropriately and adjusts as needed with the prescribing clinician. 
• Documentation within the Electronic Health Record
  1. Documents every patient encounter, phone call, and interaction within the patient’s electronic health record. 
  2. Properly documents and completes ICD-9 and CPT coding for services administered during the patient visit.
  3. Checks patient’s electronic health record for last office visit, lab work, and CDS/PDMP compliance if necessary.
  4. Appropriately documents when a patient picks up patient assistance or sample medications within the patient’s electronic health record.
• Maintains a safe and hygienic environment for patients.
  1. Cleans and sterilizes exam room after every patient visit in addition to removing all patient specimens.
  2. Properly dons and doffs PPE as required for each type of patient encounter. 
  3. At the end of each day, the nurse will work with the medical assistants to ensure proper disinfection of every exam room and work area including lab. 
  4. Follows protocol for distinction of clean and dirty areas within the lab. 
• Effectively Communicates Within the Center
  1. Communicates with members of the healthcare team to address patient’s questions and/or concerns.
  2. Consistently identifies patients at risk and communicates with clinician on emergent patient needs.
  3. Consistently displays professionalism and respect during interaction with CCHS customers, staff, and clinicians.
• Performs Other Duties as Required
  1. A Staff Nurse’s duties may include Nurse visits, answering telephones, greeting patients, scheduling appointments, assisting with facilitating referrals as needed, and maintaining medical records.
  2. Takes initiative to solve problems and recommends improvements to the managers and directors. 
  3. Travels to other CCHS sites to cover shortages within the department.
  4. Consistently displays professionalism during interaction with CCHS customers, staff, clinicians, and visitors.
  5. Attends monthly site meetings, department meetings and full staff meetings as required. 
  6. Promotes customer service with patients and outside contacts during every interaction both in person and on the phone. 
  7. Takes initiative and prioritizes effectively.
  8. Works with other staff to achieve a desirable working environment.
• Regular, reliable attendance is a requirement of this job.

Benefits: 

• Tuition and education assistance
• Certification scholarships available 
• Paid holidays (9) 
• Flexible paid time off and vacation scheduling
• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Referral program
• Employee wellness program
• Discretionary Bonuses

Choptank Community Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital or family status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or  expression, genetic information, political affiliation, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.