JOB DESCRIPTION

CLASSIFICATION:                    Non-Exempt

POSITION TITLE:                     Care Team Nurse (RN/LPN)

PROGRAM NAME/                     West Salem Clinic / Total Health Community Clinic

LOCATION:                              1233 Edgewater St NW / 180 Atwater St. N

EMPLOYMENT STATUS:             Full-Time 

SUPERVISOR:                          Clinical Services Manager & Infection Control Officer

FUNCTION:

The Care Team Nurse is a registered professional nurse who provides practice management support to the clinical team, embracing the Patient Centered Primary Care Home (PCPCH) by recognizing the patient as the central focus. The Care Team Nurse, in collaboration with other health care professionals, addresses patients’ wellness, acute illness, chronic disease, disability, and end-of-life needs. Practice includes provision of telephone advice to patients with minor acute problems; patient education in areas related to self-care; support of the ongoing management of patients with stable chronic disease; monitor of acutely ill patients during the routine office visits; and performance of a variety of procedures that are within the scope of the professional nursing practice. The Care Team Nurse oversees the respective provider’s assigned patient panel by directing and facilitating care to support the patient, incorporating the nursing process: assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. Variable hours include some evenings and weekend shifts.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:

None

GENERAL DUTIES:

1. Consistently performs specific assigned daily and general duties; meets deadlines.
2. Regularly attends and participates in assigned meetings.
3. Meets established attendance criteria and starts work promptly.
4. Knows and consistently implements the organization's mission and all approved policies, protocols and procedures.
5. Regularly supports compliance and accreditation efforts as assigned including, but not limited to OSHA, HRSA, FTCA, Joint Commission, HIPAA and the CCO’s.
6. Respects and acknowledges the organizations commitment to cultural diversity, which is expressed through behavior, language and actions.
7. Consistently demonstrates good use of time and resources.
8. Consistently interacts with clients and staff in a manner that reflects favorably on the organization and promotes teamwork.
9. Keeps all Expirable documents up to date with Human Resources as applicable (i.e. Driver's license, auto insurance, CPR card, Food Handler card, immunizations, personnel update, annual safety quiz, other annual trainings as assigned, and other items as they are identified).
10. Supports efforts to create a health system that recognizes the complex interaction of mind and body through the integration of behavioral health principles into the everyday practices of healthcare delivery and health promotion.
11. Supports efforts to improve the culture of patient/client/employee safety as an essential component of preventing or reducing errors and improving overall health care quality.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

1. Participates in the ongoing management of patients with stable chronic diseases, as designated by and in consultation with the Primary Care Provider (PCP). Communicates with patients in person and over the telephone regarding issues concerning management of their chronic disease, coordination of treatment plans/changes, as well as coordination of services. Includes follow-up with the patient when indicated.
2. Manages the triage, intake and monitoring of patients with acute medical conditions.  Monitors patients in the absence of their PCP, providing necessary nursing intervention when appropriate. 
3. Under the direction of the PCP, provides patient education in areas related to self-care, such as taking medications appropriately, use of nebulizers and inhalers, diabetes management, wound care, and self-injection, as appropriate. Explains treatments and procedures to patients.
4. Assists providers with patient examinations, procedures (i.e., minor surgery, casting, nebulizer treatments, spirometry, EKG, etc.), and medication administration, as determined by the clinical needs of the patient and the team, and the scope of professional nursing practice.
5. Demonstrates cognitive ability to accurately observe, analyze and interpret general and technical data both verbal and written, and to accurately communicate this information.  Recognizes abnormal and critical clinical findings and takes appropriate action including notifying provider as appropriate.
6. Huddles throughout the day with PCP and Care Team Medical Assistant, identifies deficiencies in workflow and proactively collaborates with entire care team to problem solve.
7. Manages the Care Teams Inbox making telephone calls to patients or others and making referrals as directed by the provider. Reviews the PCP’s PAQ for critical and urgent results and brings items to the PCP for action. 
8. Schedules appointments as appropriate following established protocols.
9. Serves as telephone advice nurse, following established policies and procedures. 
10. Makes consent forms available to provider and document in the Invasive Procedure log as appropriate. Makes follow-up calls to patients following procedures.
11. Assists in rooming patients, performing vital signs, injections as ordered, following routine standing orders for the clinic to maintain efficient flow and provide quality health care.
12. Assists in maintaining clinic examination room supplies and cleanliness. 
13. Obtains patient educational materials in language appropriate for patient.
14. Assists in writing and updating protocols and departmental reports as directed.
15. Maintains monthly immunization reports as required by the State of Oregon.
16. Participates in planning and development of educational programs for nursing.
17. Performs waived testing (e.g., blood sugar, HbA1c) following specific protocol.
18. Actively participates as an integral and valued member of the Care Team, demonstrating active engagement in supporting the NWHS Mission.
19. Respects and acknowledges the organization’s commitment to cultural diversity, which is expressed through behavior, language and actions.
20. Consistently interacts with patients, staff and visitors in a manner that reflects favorably on the organization and promotes teamwork.
21. Employs strategies that promote the health/wellness of individuals/families and populations. This includes ways to maximize wellness, prevent illness, and manage acute and chronic disease and disabilities to affect the most positive health status over the patient’s life span.
22. Employs critical attributes of effective collaboration to create, promote, and maintain an environment that supports successful partnership and high performance team outcomes.
23. Consistently demonstrates good use of time and resources, including managing time well to meet attendance criteria, meeting deadlines, and attending and actively participating in assigned meetings.
24. Knows and consistently implements all the organization's approved policies, protocols and procedures.
25. Adheres to position descriptions, policies, protocols and procedures related to nursing professional practice.
26. Contributes to data collection that monitors ambulatory care nursing and organizational performance.
27. Regularly supports patient care quality improvement projects, and compliance and accreditation efforts as assigned including, but not limited to OSHA, Joint Commission, HIPAA, PCPCH and the Behavioral Healthcare Network. Integrates into practice the findings of performance improvement initiatives that improve the quality of ambulatory care nursing practice, outpatient care services, and organizational effectiveness and efficiency.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Current Oregon RN/LPN license.
2. CPR certified for infant, child, and adult levels.
3. Clinic experience is preferred.
4. Ability to exercise independent judgment and decision-making.
5. Ability to work well in a group setting.
6. Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities while under pressure.
7. Demonstrates problem-solving skills.
8. Personal flexibility to perform in an ever-changing work environment with frequent interruptions.
9. Ability to manage high volumes of patients in a short span of time, while dealing with unpredictable issues.
10. Ability to deal with the public politely, courteously, efficiently, and effectively.
11. Ability to work flexible hours.
12. Ability to work with diverse cultures and lifestyles.
13. Valid Oregon Driver's License and proof of automobile insurance.
14. Ability to speak Spanish preferred.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION:

1. The physical activity of this position may include climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, and lifting. The individual must have sufficient mobility to navigate the physical plant.
2. The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions.
3. Medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
4. Must wear scrubs or uniform.

HAZARDS OF POSITION:

1. The worker is exposed to infectious diseases.
2. The worker is exposed to unpredictable behavior.
3. TB testing - high risk
4. Hepatitis B testing - high risk