Triage/Clinic Nurse

JOB SUMMARY

An integral part of the clinic team, the Clinic Nurse works closely with the clinic providers and other support staff to provide clinical assistance to medical providers and assist in the effective/efficient delivery of care.  The Clinic Nurse will use critical thinking and resource management with the purpose of improving the patient’s health, and overall healthcare experience. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Interacts with patients and members of the care team to provide a range of care services.  Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• • Performs patient intake, including vital signs.
  • Updates medical data, medications, and health problems in charts.
  • Triages medical concerns.
  • Assists medical providers during procedures and exams.
  • Handles referrals and phone calls to other provider offices for appointments; makes “callbacks” or follow ups for medical concerns as necessary.
  • Collects specimens for outside laboratory testing and performs basic in-house laboratory tests.
  • May execute organization approved standing orders per written procedure.
  • May initiate and/or execute age-appropriate preventive care measures (within scope of practice) as detailed in the Lifecycle Milestone Policy.
  • Engages patients in self-management action planning.
  • Assists Provider with patient education and instructions, self-management tools, and counseling on healthy behaviors.
  • Effectively communicates with patients using techniques such as motivational interviewing when appropriate.
  • Conducts home visits for duties within the scope of practice as determined by the Vermont State Board of Nursing when necessary and only when no other community partner is able to provide the service.  
• Verifies presence of superbill and checks charts for insurance changes and patient information.
• Prepares prior authorizations.
• Transcribes telephone messages from prescription line.
• Maintains appropriate levels of unexpired medical supplies on crash cart and in clinic exam rooms.
• Manages record requests and sends appropriate clinical information for referrals.
•  Completes Quality Assurance tasks such as refrigerator temperature logs.
• Maintains sanitation of exam rooms and equipment (wipes down thermometers, otoscopes, exam tables, etc....)
• Verifies up to date vaccinations on Vermont Department of Health website.
• Conducts Medicaid and Sliding Fee chart reviews.
• Monitors fax machine and distributes faxes.
• Participates in Quality Improvement projects under the direction of the Director of Operations and/or Office Manager.  Participation may include participating in a new process or change, providing feedback to the tests of change, and providing suggestions for the next tests of change.
• Participates in training sessions, monthly and daily staff meetings.
• Trains, mentors, and supervises students and clinical support staff as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to perform venipuncture, administer injections, and complete CLIA waived lab tests.
• Knowledge of correct specimen handling procedures.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Knowledge of OSHA manual and standards, including appropriate hazardous waste handling and disposal.
• Knowledge of billing codes and procedures.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize workload.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Computer skills.
• Ability to function within a team environment to achieve stated objectives.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred

EXPERIENCE

1 year clinical experience preferred

CERTIFICATE/LICENSE

Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse required

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required or ability to obtain certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The description of the physical demands and the work environment characteristics here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform and those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit and type. The employee is occasionally required to lift, carry, push, pull, stoop, kneel, crouch, hold objects, and perform repetitive motions. The employee is rarely required to climb, balance, crawl, reach or grasp. The employee must be able to regularly perform light lifting and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to x-ray machines and blood-borne pathogens. The employee is often exposed to patients with infectious diseases.

MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer, multi-line telephone system, facsimile machine, copier, ECG, stethoscope, scales, blood pressure monitor, needles/syringes, various CLIA waived laboratory testing kits and urinalysis, glucose, and hemoglobin machines. 

NOTE

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All applicants made a conditional offer of employment must cooperate fully with background investigations.  All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.  The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.  This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Reviewed with employee by:

Manager’s Name: __________________________              Date:  ______________

Received and accepted by:

Employee’s Name:  _________________________             Date:  ______________