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