Overview:
Assumes responsibility and accountability for patient screenings; triage; pain management; falls prevention, nutritional and psychosocial, discharge planning and other interventions to restore, maintain or promote patients physical health. Utilizes the nursing process in the provision of direct patient care. Assists all patients, families/significant others through the healthcare system by acting as a patient advocate and navigator. Responsible and accountable for prescribing, delegating, and coordinating all care provided to assigned patients. Executes medical plan of care, at the direction of the treating clinician, in accordance with licensure of a Registered Professional Nurse. Utilizes nursing diagnoses to treat human responses to actual and potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling, and provision of care supportive or to restorative of life and well-being. Supervises patient care provided by Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Medical Office Assistants (MOAs), Nursing Attendants (NAs), technicians, and supplemental staff. Supports patients self-management of disease and behavior modification interventions. Coordinates continuity of patient care with external healthcare organizations and facilities, including the process from admission to discharge and referrals from the primary care provider to the specialty care provider. Promotes clear communication amongst a care team and treating clinicians by ensuring awareness regarding a patients plan of care. Participates on a team for data collection, health outcomes reporting, clinical audits, and programmatic evaluation related to Patient-Centered Medical Home and ambulatory care initiatives. Assists in the prior authorization process for clinical and pharmacy related orders. Demonstrates the ability to function as part of an interdisciplinary health care team.
Responsibilities:
- Assesses the immediate and continuing care needs of the patient/families/significant other.
- Develops comprehensive and current plans of care which include physical needs, patient teaching, discharge planning and psychosocial/spiritual needs.
- Provides direct patient care based on assessed needs and the medical regimen. Oversees and ensures the provision of all aspects of care for the patient. Supervises the care provided by other nursing personnel including Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Medical Office Assistants (MOAs) and Nursing Attendants (NAs), as defined in the scope of practice.
- Participates in Quality Improvement activities related to patient care delivery and the development of nursing/hospital/ambulatory care standards.
- Observes, evaluates, documents, and communicates to relevant team members the patient's response to illness and/or therapeutic modalities as related to diagnosis. Ensures timely reassessment of patient responses to treatment and when significant changes occur in patient condition and/or diagnosis.
- Provides Patient and Family education, as needed.
- Coordinates the overall plan of care to ensure implementation of nursing interventions and consistency with medical regimen.
- Establishes priorities for care in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and initiates follow-up, as indicated, to ensure timely provision of patient care and therapeutic modalities.
- Assures the plan of care integrates age-specific care needs (e.g. pediatrics, geriatrics) as defined in the unit scope of care.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, manage stressful situations appropriately and facilitate interpersonal relationships with other disciplines.
- Ensures that patients receive timely and appropriate care within the delivery system and assists with facilitating internal and external referrals
- Communicates with pharmacies as well as insurance companies related to patient treatment plans and approvals of medications and/or procedures/Diagnostic Imaging.
- Demonstrates compliance to infection control protocols and maintains a safe, clean and therapeutic work environment.
- Performs vital signs: T-P-R, O2 Sat, as required and weight, height and blood pressure, as needed.
- Performs diagnostic testing: EKG, point of care testing, as needed.
- Administration of medications and immunizations at the direction of the physician.
- Initiate medication reconciliation as well as need for prescription refills for Provider review and approval.
- Nurses will conduct an assessment on all new patients and, current patients, as applicable, to include: Chief Complaint; Review current medications; Allergies; Pain Assessment.
- Allergy: Supervise and/or complete room set up including allergens; syringes; reorder supplies and medications/allergens, patient education includes pre-allergen testing requirements. Nurse availability in the event of a medical emergency.
- Anticoagulation: Supervise Medical Office Assistants; notification of abnormal VS for assessment.
- Cardiology: Prior Authorization assistance, initiated by Patient Service Associate (PSA), when advanced clinical information is required.
- Dermatology: Assisting with procedures and medication administration; punch biopsies, assessment of common skin disorders.
- Endocrine: Medication administration; Point Of Care Testing; patient education on nutrition, glucometer use and insulin administration.
- Gastroenterology: Vaccine administration; patient education for lab work; AITU, TLC and HIV Rapid testing referrals; patient education for Colonoscopy; Endoscopy; Barium Enema; Gastrointestinal Series; CT Scan.
- Adult GU: Medication administration; assessment of indwelling catheters; skin assessment; patient education includes Cystoscopy; Prostate Biopsies; CT Scan; 24 hour urine collection; Fertility sperm collection.
- Hematology/Oncology: Assessment of disease progression; Chemotherapy treatments; obtain Prior Authorizations for testing/procedures; Assist with bone marrow biopsies. Medication administration, referrals to AITU outpatient infusion therapy services.
- Medical Management: Supervise Medical Office Assistants (MOAs) and/or complete Vital signs and Finger stick monitoring; medication administration.
- Neurosurgery: Assists with Pain Management referrals.
- Adult Pulmonary: Medication administration; Confirmation of surgical procedure reservations as per protocol; Prior approval process (initiated by PSAs) for additional clinical information; Patient education including smoking cessation NRT programs, exercise and observation/use of patients portable O2 tanks.
- Adult Renal/Hypertension: Medical/surgical history assessments; lab prep and review; observation.
- Trauma Surgery: Room set up; Provider assistance as requested; pre and post op education.
- Vascular Surgery: Pre and post op education; dressing changes including Unna boot prep and Provider assistance, as requested.
- Support services to: Rheumatology/Lupus; Pediatric Developmental; Podiatry; Audiology; Dysplasia; ENT; Neurology; and Rehab ACC Clinics, as requested.
- Review care plan with patient (prescriptions, diagnosis, allergies) in conjunction with the Provider.
- Participates in interdisciplinary planning for patient care.
- All other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Education / Experience:
Internal & 1199 SEIU:
- Graduate of accredited nursing program(s).
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing preferred.
- Minimum three (3) years experience in outpatient clinics with adult population and one (1) year with pediatric populations.
- Phlebotomy experience preferred.
Non 1199 SEIU Candidates:
- Bachelors Degree in Nursing (BSN) required.
- Master's Degree in Nursing, preferred.
- Minimum three (3) years experience in outpatient clinics with adult population and one (1) year with pediatric populations.
- Will Accept Associates Degree with minimum five (5) years of clinical experience in outpatient clinics.
- Phlebotomy experience preferred.
New Graduates:
- Bachelors Degree in Nursing (BSN) required.
- All required certifications within six (6) months of hire.
- Phlebotomy experience preferred.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Demonstrates a commitment to continuing professional growth and development.
- Critical thinking, math, and computer skills Excel & Word.
- Works as a team player.
- Demonstrates respect and professionalism in all interactions.
- Excellent oral and communication skills.
- Decision making and problem solving.
- Able to see, hear, read and write English.
- Ability to fully utilize BHMCs electronic record systems, equipment and healthcare and billing systems relevant to this position.
Licenses, Certifications:
- Current NY State RN License required.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) required.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) required.
- Medical Surgical Certification required.
- Ambulatory Care Certification preferred.
Physical Requirements:
- Physically demanding, high-stress environment requiring prolonged periods of standing, reaching, walking throughout the working day.
- Position will be required to stoop, bend, lift, and carry items weighing up to 35 pounds for routine performance of essential functions.
- An individual in this position may be exposed to: Adverse indoor environmental conditions, Blood borne pathogens, Blood and body fluids, Physical hazards (e.g., needle pricks, etc.), communicable diseases, chemical hazards, radiation, and repetitive motions.
- Full range of body motion, able to lift up to 100 pounds, if necessary, to assist lifting and moving patients.
- Manual and finger dexterity, as well as hand and eye coordination.
- Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range.
- Frequently sitting at desk working on computer.
- Ability to work flex hours.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of The Brookdale Hospital Medical Center.
BHMC is an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or handicap or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.