Health Center RN

Job Summary:

The Health Center RN provides comprehensive primary care to diverse patient populations. They offer a range of services, including preventative care, chronic disease management, and health education, with a strong emphasis on patient-centered care. Their responsibilities include patient assessment, care coordination, medication administration, and health education, all within a collaborative team environment.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

A. PATIENT CARE

Triage
Screen patient telephone calls for providers.
Perform clinical assessments, utilizing knowledge of disease process and treatment.
Assist office staff in triaging call-in and walk-in appointments.
Coordinate with office staff in monitoring and adjusting scheduling and workload of providers to insure the smooth flow of patients.
When requested by Nurse Manager, carryout standing orders for medication refills, ordering tests, and routine health maintenance services per Health Center protocols.
Intake
Interview patients for health history and clinical information updates.
Conduct nursing assessments and preliminary patient work-ups.
Take patient vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc.).
Treatment and Procedures
Apply and change dressings/bandages.
Administer IM, SQ, intradermal, and inhaled medications and vaccines.
Administer allergy injections, as per local site protocols.
Perform catheterization per provider orders and within the scope of health center protocols.
Conduct vision screening.
Conduct audiometry screening.
Perform EKG’s (if provided on site).
Assist in suturing procedures.
Other procedures as per health center protocols, for example starting IV’s, and responding to Code Blue/defib needs.
Health Education/Teaching
Instruct patients about treatment regimens (medication, diet, activity, etc.).
Provide education and instruction on issues of health maintenance.
Participate in the development and implementation of community health education initiatives (screening clinics, public information forums, etc.).

B. LABORATORY

Testing
Perform laboratory tests as per health center protocols.
Record tests and results in appropriate EMR.
Phlebotomy
Draw and prepare specimens for in-house or outside laboratory testing.

C. PHARMACEUTICALS

Dispensing
Dispense pharmaceuticals as per provider orders and in accordance with health center, NCHC, Vermont, and Federal guidelines.
Monitor inventory levels and outdates of on-site pharmaceutical supplies.

D. RECORDS

Medical Records
Document nursing activities and relevant patient care information in medical records as per health center protocols.
Tracking Systems
Record and maintain records and statistics (e.g. immunizations, perinatal data, etc.) as per protocols or request.

E. INFECTION CONTROL

Instrument Sterilization
Clean and sterilize instruments.
General office infection control.

F. QUALITY ASSURANCE

Participate in the development, implementation, audit, and continuous evaluation and improvement of protocols, services and programs provided by the health center.

G. OTHER

It is expected that you will meet the productivity standards that are set forth by your Supervisor and/or NCHC Division protocols.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Position Qualifications:

Graduate of an accredited RN program
Licensed in the State of Vermont
Provider-level CPR/BLS required
ACLS and PALS required at some sites
Minimum one-year experience in a community health center, medical office, or similar setting
Familiarity with public health and community health issues
Knowledge of disease processes and treatments
Knowledge of medications and their effects/side effects
Effective communication skills with patients of all ages
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
Skilled in multitasking and managing priorities
Strong problem-solving abilities
Able to perform basic medical office lab tests
Proficient in written and verbal communication
Computer proficiency, including email, spreadsheets, word processing, and EMRs
High level of confidentiality required
Physically able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand/walk for extended periods
Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination required
Exposure to bodily fluids and communicable diseases expected
Must be able to work under stress and in emergency situations during irregular hours