Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health

FTE/Scheduled Weekly Hours:

0.60 / 24 / 1st Shift (United States of America)Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8-4:30

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS
1.    In keeping with Chapter 6 of the Iowa Nursing Practice Act for Registered Nurses, the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing and the ANA Code of Ethics for Nursing, the RN demonstrates a caring consciousness through relationship-based care delivery. The RN assumes responsibility and accountability for the delivery of evidence based nursing care at Waverly Health Center Clinics under the supervision of a provider.  The RN shall recognize and understand the legal implications within the scope of nursing practice.

2.    Utilizes judgment and skill in providing direct and indirect patient care, observation, and counsel to patients and family.  Communicates with providers, manager, and/or other healthcare team members about changes in patients’ clinic condition, including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology.

3.    Provides orientation, training and clinical development by serving both as a mentor and consultant to other members of the clinic nursing team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Maintains patients’ electronic records, accurately documenting care and services provided in a timely manner and ensuring confidentiality at all times. 

2. Direct Patient Care

• Prepares patient for examination and/or tests as appropriate for nurse/provider visit.  Assists as needs with exams and minor office procedures, as needed.
•  Provides direct and indirect nursing care to patients, demonstrating knowledge of nursing techniques and procedures considering needs specific to the standard of care for the patient's age and his/her clinical condition.  Maintains knowledge of and administers/refills prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing techniques and as ordered by provider.  Maintains accurate patient charges for services and equipment used.
• Observes and monitors patient condition and notifies responsible provider of patient conditions and activities or unanticipated reactions to care provided.  Maintains responsibility for the welfare of assigned patients, including critical and life threatening patient condi­tions.  Recognizes need for and must be able to perform life saving measures if necessary.

3. Triages patient telephone calls, assesses condition, and advises of symptomatic treatment as needed according to office protocols and/or schedule appointment with provider.

4. Communication

• Effectively communicates with patients, families, providers, outside agencies, and hospital personnel regarding patients' hospitalization and/or clinic visit.
• Works with other members of the nursing services staff to maintain the continuity of care of the clinical patient
• Uses tact, patience, and understanding when dealing with patients. Treats them with respect and dignity at all times.
• Provides teaching for patient and family members. Adapts teaching to a language and style understood by all parties. Reinforces teaching as needed.

5. Maintains responsibility for problem solving regarding patient care. Initiates contact with appropriate resources and initiates actions for concerns identified. Exercises independent judgment in the care of patients and seeks assistance from the proper personnel when appropriate. Seeks assistance from manager when appropriate.

6. Knowledge and sharing

• Acts as a clinical resource sharing knowledge with other clinic staff.  Interacts effectively with staff in order to accomplish safe, quality care for all clinic patients.  Participates in the evaluation and monitoring of the quality of nursing care within the clinic, and collaborates with other nursing/medical staff to structure patient care.  Assists in developing strategies to improve the clinical competencies of nursing staff and others working in the clinic setting.
• Completes and maintains a professional portfolio.

7. Maintains condition of equipment and supplies related to patient care.  Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly at all times, and provides for the repair, restocking, or replacement of supplies and equipment.   Also, conducts a monthly supply/pharmaceutical sample audit removing any outdated items. 

8. Maintains a working knowledge of the following processes and is able to perform effectively.

• Patient referral process: schedules tests/procedures as directed, contacts insurance company to obtain prior authorization.
• Documents telephone encounters, capturing pertinent data and notifies responsible provider of patient conditions and activities or unanticipated reactions to care provided.
• Maintaining eCW fax in-box, follows up on all lab and diagnostic imaging results, all outstanding orders and ensures all orders, and prescriptions have been electronically transmitted or faxed prior to the end of each day.
• Lab QA checks, lab collection and processing procedures.
• Adhering to all applicable WHC and regulatory requirements.
• Supply ordering process including the removal of expired supplies.
• IRIS/VFC reconciliation and documentation.
• Assists provider in maintaining CDSS/Alerts/Recall System.
• Scans incoming or outgoing paper documents and organizes documents within the EMR as instructed.  Checking for accuracy and clarity.  Manipulates scanned documents so they are easily read.

9. Utilizes Standard Precautions as appropriate. Demonstrates appropriate instrument safety precautions/care when cleaning, disinfecting, and preparing instruments for sterilization. Carries out medical asepsis during treatments and special procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Experience, and Training

• Graduate of an accredited program for Registered Nurses.
• Must be currently licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in Iowa.
• Previous experience in a clinic setting preferred.
• Ability to learn and navigate computer systems including the online training modules, the employee timesheet and the performance appraisal system. Job specific systems are also required.
• Must be able to read, speak, and write fluent English.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting – Approximately 25% of shift.
• Standing– Approximately 25% of shift.
• Walking – Approximately 50% of shift.
• Lifting – Approximately 35 pounds. Must use, and require staff to use, when in hospital and pre-hospital settings, proper body mechanics and ergonomics and, as applicable, lifting/moving devices.
• Twisting – Infrequent.
• Bending – Moderate.
• Squat/Kneel – Infrequent.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. May come in contact with hazardous chemicals or treatment modalities.

2. The possibility exists of exposure to communicable disease due to working in a healthcare environment.

3. Involvement in patient care may result in unavoidable work-related illnesses.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties.  All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his/her manager.

Requirements are representative of the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities.  To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.  All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship with the Waverly Health Center.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties.  All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his/her manager.

Requirements are representative of the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities.  To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.  All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship with the Waverly Health Center.