Position Description: Clinical Nursing Positions at CARS are responsible for the clinical performance and evaluation of nursing care to patients/families seeking advanced reproductive services including general clinical, ARTS/IVF, research or float RN assignments.

Core Functions and Responsibilities

Educator

• Provides comprehensive patient education and teaching for the purpose of promoting optimal patient health, well being, compliance and outcome.
• Develops/ensures availability of appropriate patient education programs and materials.
• Develops/participates in community education programs as appropriate, to meet patient/center/community needs and or requests.
• Participates in staff development, intradepartmental in-services, and nursing orientation programs.
• Acclimates house staff, medical, nursing and medical assistants to clinical services.

Counseling

• Assesses psychological and emotional needs of patients, implements and evaluates appropriate nursing interventions and referrals.
• Participates in interdisciplinary case management counseling to patients undergoing ARTs treatments, including patient options, alternatives and informed consent.

Clinical Practice

Planning and Management

• Provides primary nursing care support to ARTs provider. Includes patient intake, assessment, program orientation, and overview, coordination of interdisciplinary services, formulation/coordination/implementation of treatment plan and follow up.
• Documents in medical record/EMR and ensures that all appropriate consents are properly executed.
• Maintains appropriate documentation for QA, Performance Improvement and Compliance monitors.
• Fulfills clinical and administrative compliance regulatory requirements.
• Works collaboratively with billing agents/FSRs to obtain appropriate pre-certifications for infertility procedures.

Clinical

• Orders diagnostic testing in accordance with well established protocols.
• Provides screening examinations and evaluates results
• Implements protocols for specialized therapeutic interventions (such as emergency interventional medications).
• Participates in clinical needs assessment of patients e.g., lab results, ultrasounds, hyperstimulation, ectopic pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, etc. and implements appropriate response.
• Provides explanation of medical/nursing procedures and ensures appropriate patient education and physical and emotional support during procedures.
• Assists physician with physical exams and procedures.
• Performs specific procedures e.g., inseminations, transvaginal ultrasounds, and other appropriate procedures as per protocol and within nursing scope of practice.
• Provides appropriate nursing/medical clinical instructions and assistance with patient follow-up, including laboratory results, medication adjustments, pregnancy adaptation and transition.
• Triages patient’s calls and provides appropriate follow-up and resolution.
• Provides patient instruction, teaching and/or administration for necessary treatments/medications.
• Coordinates patient care with satellite/portal locations as needed.
• Actively participates in collaborative ARTs/clinical team meetings for the purposes of assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating daily patient care plans with consideration for ethical and risk management concerns
• Cross-trains to unit areas as requested and required.
• Provides a safe and clean working environment.
• Ensures/maintains availability of supplies and equipment necessary for patient care services.

Research

• Participates in the research process as appropriate, e.g., consenting, problem identification, screening, data collection, protocol compliance and documentation per regulatory and clinical requirements.
• Community outreach, on behalf of The Center, as available and assigned.

Professional Nursing Development

• Participates in development of nursing policies and standards of care including policies, procedures and protocols, QA and Performance Improvement monitors.
• Participates in monitoring and evaluation functions of QA and Performance Improvement activities.
• Responsible for maintaining compliance with nursing/medical standards of care.
• Actively participates in staff meetings and other appropriate forums for the purposes of improved interdisciplinary cooperation, nursing care, and the identification and communication of nursing practice issues and concerns with appropriate follow-up.

• Demonstrates responsibility for personal professional growth and development through participation in appropriate educational activities.
• Actively participates in the strategic planning process for the purpose of developing and implementing nursing goals and objectives.

Performs selected administrative duties as appropriate and as requested

Work Characteristics

• Frequently physical demands from walking and standing.
• May be exposed to infectious diseases, waste, other body waste, bodily fluids, and discharges.
• Frequently exposed to highly pressurized, emotional environment.
• Strength and stamina, lifting/pushing/pulling sufficient for the effective performance of duties.

Work Variable

• Expected to work/take call weekends, holidays and /or evenings to meet patient needs and schedule demands.

Work Schedule

• Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (60 minute lunch).
• Rotational weekend, about 10 weekends a year.
• 1 Holiday a year

Education and Experience

Required:

• Current licensure. State of Connecticut required.

• Minimum of 1-2 years clinical experience as licensed RN
• Excellent Interpersonal Skills
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to multitask and focus on details
• Ability to commute easily between Farmington and other satellite/outreach offices as needed.

Preferred:

• Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) and/or IVF experience
• Labor and delivery experience/ambulatory surgery with care of the anesthetized adult patient
• Phlebotomy skills
• IV start skills
• BSN