Specialty Clinic Support Nurse

POSITION PURPOSE:
The Specialty Clinic LPN/RN Clinical Support Nurse is a dynamic clinical support role responsible for coordinating patient care activities while supporting efficient specialty clinic operations. This position blends clinical nursing, EHR management, referral and scheduling coordination, telephone triage, and operational workflow support to enhance patient care, improve clinic efficiency, and serve as a vital resource for providers and the interdisciplinary team.

QUALIFICATIONS: 
    Graduate of an accredited Practical Nursing or Registered Nurse program
    Current Nebraska LPN or RN license (or eligibility for licensure)
    Basic Life Support (BLS) 
    Two or more years of ambulatory, specialty clinic, surgical, or outpatient nursing experience preferred
    Experience using Oracle Health/Cerner or comparable electronic health record preferred
    Knowledge of referral process, surgery coordination, and ambulatory clinic workflows preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
    Strong clinical assessment and patient care skills. 
    Knowledge of ambulatory nursing and specialty clinic workflows. 
    Proficiency with electronic health records and computerized order entry. 
    Excellent organizational and time management skills. 
    Ability to prioritize multiple competing responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. 
    Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 
    Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team. 
    Commitment to providing exceptional patient-centered care. 
    Ability to identify workflow improvements and adapt to changing operational needs.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required: 
    Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide
    Ability to generate, read, interpret, and take action as it relates to basic financial statements, national and state regulations, safety rulings, operational and maintenance and organizational policies / procedures  
    Ability to write reports and correspondence
    Ability to effectively present information to patients, families, employees, health care providers, etc...
    Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively to maintain good working relationships with staff and health care providers
    Ability to work with skill in identifying problems; making frequent decisions regarding method of performance

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, MATERIALS:
    Calculator
    Computer and printer
    Fax and copy machine
    General office materials/supplies
    Information Systems
    Telephone system
    All Patient Care Equipment
o    IV pumps, lifts, beds, monitors, computers, glucometers, oximeters, pneumatics, CPM, etc.

SECURITY/ACCESS:
    Will have access to the facility 24 hours a day.
    Will have access to confidential information abiding by the organizations privacy policies and regulations concerning this information.

    Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
    
1.        Manage Electronic Health Record (EHR) Documentation
    Enter provider orders into the EHR, including future, standing, and immediate orders, according to established protocols. 
    Ensure documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with organizational and regulatory standards. 
    Assist with abstraction or entry of historical patient information as required. 
    Maintain accurate patient records and support evolving EHR workflows. 
2.        Coordinate Patient Referrals
    Process incoming and outgoing referrals in collaboration with providers and scheduling staff. 
    Verify required documentation is complete before referral processing. 
    Coordinate referrals with outside providers, specialty services, and ancillary departments. 
    Monitor referral status and facilitate timely follow-up. 
3.        Coordinate Follow-Up Care 
    Schedule follow-up appointments prior to patient departure whenever appropriate. 
    Coordinate additional testing, imaging, laboratory services, or specialty appointments as directed by providers. 
    Ensure patients understand next steps in their plan of care. 

4.        Perform Telephone Triage 
    Schedule follow-up appointments prior to patient departure whenever appropriate. 
    Respond to incoming patient telephone calls using established nursing protocols. 
    Assess patient concerns, determine urgency, and provide appropriate nursing advice within scope of practice. 
    Escalate concerns to providers when indicated. 
    Document all telephone encounters in the EHR. 

5.       Coordinate Patient Care Across Services 
    Collaborate with providers, nursing staff, registration, centralized scheduling, surgery scheduling, laboratory, imaging, and other departments to ensure continuity of care. 
    Communicate patient needs, scheduling concerns, and workflow issues effectively. 
    Serve as a clinical resource supporting daily specialty clinic operations. 

6.         Coordinate Surgical and Procedural Services
    Support the development and implementation of specialty clinic workflows related to surgical and procedural care.

7.        Provide Patient Education 
    Participate in the development and implementation of patient education resources and workflows to enhance the patient experience.
    Support the delivery of consistent patient education throughout the specialty clinic visit.

8.        Support Clinic Operations
    Assist in identifying opportunities to improve clinic workflow and patient throughput. 
    Cross-train in specialty clinic and Touchstone Orthopeadeics functions to support operational needs. 
    Maintain knowledge of specialty clinic and Touchstone Orthopeadics policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. 

9.        Provide Direct Clinical Nursing Care
    Provide direct nursing care during specialty clinic visits within the scope of licensure, when needed. 
    Room patients, obtain vital signs, review medical history, and update home medication list
    Assist physicians and advanced practice providers during examinations and procedures. 
    Support efficient patient flow throughout clinic operations. 

10.        Performs efficiently and safely within scope of practice. 
    Administers medications and treatments according to or as ordered by, the health care provider.
    Performs procedures as directed or ordered by the provider.
    Demonstrates knowledge and use of precautions and safety guidelines for the care and protection of the patient and staff.
    Utilizes proper body mechanics, transfer/lifting techniques

11.        Follows HIPAA regulations and ensures that the confidentiality of patients medical, personal, financial records, employee records, and organizational records is maintained.  

12.        Participates in FCH committees, quality assurance, performance and quality improvement initiatives, and activities which support the facility and department operations.

13.        Complies with the state and federal regulatory requirements related to the performance of FCH operations and requirements of the FCH Compliance Program.  Including but not limited to:
    The Compliance Policy.
    Completes all on-line training annually and as assigned.
    All department and organization-wide policies. 
    Considers the impact of regulations such as Critical Access Hospital requirements, along with Federal and State of Nebraska regulations and discusses concerns appropriately to ensure compliance.

14.        Presents self in a professional manner and enhances professional growth and development through participation in education programs, current literature, in-service meetings and workshops.
    Seeks opportunities for continued growth and performance improvement.
    Always maintains a professional appearance and manner.
    Dependable and completes work in a timely manner.
    Demonstrates an understanding and emphasis on quantity, quality and knowledge of duties and tasks.

15.        Performs other duties as assigned.

    Essential Standards of Service Excellence
    
1.    Abides by Fillmore County Hospital's C.A.R.E Service Standards which include:
C- COMMUNICATE WITH COMPASSION, COURTESY & CLARITY We create trust through respectful, professional communication. Greet, Listen, Respect. Greet everyone with eye contact, a smile, and a warm, professional tone. Use the six-foot rule to greet anyone within proximity. Listen actively. Allow others to finish speaking, seek to understand, and respond thoughtfully. Speak honestly and respectfully. Refrain from sarcasm, gossip, or undermining comments. Represent FCH positively. Concerns are addressed privately, not in front of patients or visitors. Praise often and in public. Protect the privacy and confidentiality of all patients and coworkers. Apologize sincerely when appropriate. Manage up during all handoffs and thank patients for choosing FCH. 
A- ASSIST EVERY PERSON, EVERY TIME We go beyond tasks to meet needs with empathy and urgency. See a need, meet a need. Offer help before being asked; never walk past someone who needs assistance. Escort patients and visitors who appear unsure or need direction. Acknowledge delays, explain what to expect, and thank people for their patience. Follow through on commitments and promises. 
R- RESPECT EACH OTHER & OUR ENVIRONMENT We treat every individual and every space with dignity and care. Calm space, caring place. Treat all people with kindness, fairness, and compassion. Maintain a calm, quiet, healing environment. Your demeanor sets the tone. Show respect for cultural, personal, and professional differences. Keep work areas clean, safe, and organized. Clean up after yourself. Protect hospital equipment and property; return items to the proper place. Bring issues forward respectfully and constructively, through appropriate reporting channels. 
E- EXCEL THROUGH TEAMWORK & PROFESSIONALISM We choose behaviors that strengthen our team and uphold our mission. Solutions, not excuses. Be dependable. Show up ready, on time, and prepared for the day. Support coworkers. Offer help and ask for help appropriately. Maintain professionalism during stressful or emergent situations. Bring solutions, not just problems. Contribute to a positive, problem-solving culture. Model professional ‘onstage’ behavior in all public and patient-facing areas. Dress in a professional manner. Use a complaint as an opportunity to improve. Choose to maintain a positive, solution-focused attitude.

2.    Abides by Fillmore County Hospitals Core Values which include:
    Teamwork
    Respect
    Integrity
    Compassion

ESSENTIAL WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.