Registered Nurse I/II/III

Registered Nurse I/II/III

Department: Nursing

Reports to: Director of Outpatient Nursing

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Type of Position: Full-Time

Revised Date: 06/13/2024

MISSION & VISION STATEMENT:

The Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation (KPHC) is established for the purposes of carrying out the vision and mission of the Santo Domingo Health Center (SDHC). The MISSION of KPHC is: “ENSURING HEALTH & WELLNESS THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE WITH RESPECT FOR CULTURE” and the VISION OF KPHC is: “HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY COMMUNITY, and HEALTHY LIFESTYLE”.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The purpose of this position is to provide skilled professional nursing services in an outpatient ambulatory clinic.

PERFOMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

In performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of the Santo Domingo Health Center are expected to conform to the following:

• Fully uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care.
• Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Interact in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees and vendors.
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity. Maintain a current insurable driver's license.
• Comply with all Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation and Santo Domingo Health Center policies and procedures, as well as all applicable laws.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works independently on special projects related to patient care procedures.
• Works in conjunction with the Director of OPD to ensure high quality patient care.
• Works independently as a designated Charge nurse delegating tasks, promoting workflow structure, interdepartmental networking (HIMS, Pharmacy, PHN).
• The Charge Nurse Role is rotated daily.
  • Charge Nurse Function is defined as an individual with proper registered nurse licensing who is responsible for accentuating efficient patient flow within the clinic.
  • This person delegate's assignment during the shift, provides supervision in support of the Director of OPD, supports staffing, defines patient acuity, and works cohesively with providers, medical assistants, and lab technicians in ensuring there is a balanced workflow fit for providing quality in patient care.
  • Director of Nursing first approves any schedule adjustments.
  • Answers calls that come through the "Triage Phone" when assigned and coordinates appropriate level of care.
  • Handles patient's complaints with Director of OPD.
  • Checks the "Crash Cart" on a daily basis/completes Crash cart daily log.
  • Participates and engages other team members in quarterly chart audits.
  • Outlines assignments on the assignment board.
  • Communicates directly to the Director of OPD and follows proper chain-of-command.
• Serves as patient advocate by assisting patients with information needed to make their health care decisions, implements health care plans and seeks medical assistance.
• Maintains professional licensures and competence through participation in education relative to ambulatory nursing practices and maintaining annual competency documentation.
• Completes all CE requirements in a timely manner to maintain current licensures.
• Participates in mandatory in-services related to CPR, Infection Control; Blood Borne Pathogens, Safety, ATP proficiency etc.
• Uses nursing processes to determine delivery of nursing services in accordance with departmental practices.
• Observes and accesses patient condition with consideration for age specific attributes (i.e. infants, children, adolescent, adult and geriatric) and discusses significant changes with attending Physicians and/or Mid-Levels. Records initial assessment data in the automated Electronic Health Record system.
• Prioritizes care needs to presenting complaint, follows Health Promotion Disease Prevention guidelines and standards for specific groups, such as diabetes, hypertension and other chronic groups.
• Facilitates continuity of care involving the patient and family in the development of the plan for ongoing care. Performs patient and family education based on established standards as required by age of patient based on patient preferred learning style, and documents education in Electronic Health Records (EHR); utilizing an interpreter as necessary.
• Utilizes the health summary in planning individual visits and preventive care.
• Carries out Physicians and/or Mid-Levels' orders including the administration of prescribed drugs by topical, oral, rectal and parenteral routes and other therapeutic measures such as oxygen, and intravenous fluids.
• Operates a wide variety of therapeutic devices such as nebulizers, electrocardiograph machines etc.
• Measures and documents in EHR vital signs, height, and weight, neurological status, effects of medication, medication allergies, visual acuity and hearing as indicated or prescribed.
• Using standard precautions and personal protective equipment, collects or assists in collection of various specimens such as urine, sputum, stool blood, etc. Obtains test results according to ancillary testing policies and procedures.
• Assists the Physicians, Mid-Levels, and/or his or her Medical Assistant, in the performance of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
• Assists with the stabilization of emergency patients and preparation of patients for transport to higher care level facility. Recognizes adverse reaction to medication, treatments and procedures and instigates appropriate interventions or actions. Recognizes cardiorespiratory arrest and other emergency conditions, initiates and maintains resuscitation where appropriate.
• Recognizes the dignity or worth of individuals, respects cultural, spiritual and psychosocial differences and apply philosophical and ethical concepts that promotes equality and continuity of care.
• Follows established procedures/guidelines for maintenance of storage of supplies and equipment.
• Checks, at regular intervals, equipment and supplies to assure they are current and adequate to meet the needs of the patient population.
• Assumes other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited professional education program, accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Current and Unrestricted Registered Nurse License in the State of New Mexico or multi-state license privilege as provided in the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Experience:

• Two years nursing experience in an outpatient ambulatory setting, emergency services, urgent care or other ambulatory care services settings.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles of growth and development over life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of patient's status and interpret patient information relative to his/her age specific needs. Ability to provide the care needed as described in the nursing department's policies and procedures manual.
• Knowledge of professional nursing theory and practices through completion of professional nursing education programs and supplemented by years of professional nursing experience which permits the incumbent to perform professional nursing duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to recognize adverse signs and symptoms and react swiftly in emergency situations.
• Ability and knowledge of pharmaceutical drugs, their desire effects, side effects, and complications of their use.
• Skills to efficiently operate specialized medical equipment such as resuscitators, oxygen equipment, cardiac monitoring devices, defibrillators, pulse oximeters, nebulizers, electrocardiograph machines, etc.
• Alertness and skills necessary in providing care and to act appropriately to emergency situations such as treatment of accident victims.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of medical disorders, such as general surgery, orthopedic and gynecological; normal course of diseases anticipated complications and indicated therapeutic interventions.
• Knowledge of Clinical policies and procedures.
• A record of satisfactory performance in prior employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous employers.
• Familiarity with the mandatory reporting requirements under the Indian Child Protection Act, with regards to suspected incidence of child abuse or child neglect.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from an accredited professional education program accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Current and Valid Wound Care Certification.
• Professional work experience with the Native American population.
• BLS for Healthcare Providers, ACLS, and PALS. TNCC preferred.
• Bilingual skills in English or the Keres native language.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. In addition, work is performed in a clinic outpatient and/or field setting and may include exposure to infection, disoriented patients, and communicable disease. This position may be exposed to certain health risks that are inherent when working within a health center facility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with patients, visitors and staff.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

There are several deadlines associated with this position. The employee must also multi-task and interact with a wider variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues.

OTHER:

All employees must fully uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.

REGISTERED NURSE SALARY TIER SYSTEM:

Registered Nurse I

0-10 years nursing experience with AND

0-2 years nursing experience with BSN

Registered Nurse II

11-20 years nursing experience with AND

3-20 years nursing experience with BSN

0-9 years with master’s in healthcare field (MSN, MPH, etc.)

Registered Nurse III

21+ years nursing experience with AND or BSN

10+ years nursing experience with master’s in healthcare field (ex. MSN, MPH)

(Any certification obtained/maintained that benefits the organization will be considered for an increase in pay scale within the tier.)

Disclaimer: The information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employees will be asked to perform other duties as needed.

Applicants will be considered on the basis of whether they meet the minimum mandatory qualifications identified on the position description for the position applied for, including requisite experience, relevant education and possession of required licenses and certifications. Among applicants who meet all minimum mandatory qualification for a position, preference will, to the maximum extent feasible, be granted to qualified Native American applicants.