Access Nurse - Urgent Care

Job Description

The Access Nurse assesses clinically new patients and integrates the patient into primary care and/or other services to ensure high quality, cost effective care along the continuum. The goal of access nurse is to facilitate access and to promote/maintain optimal care for patients, to assist linking the patient with the next available provider and to enhance revenues by appropriate management of resources. The access nurse will facilitate access for high volume, high-risk patients, i.e., diabetics, asthmatics, and those seen in Emergency Room and/or recently discharged from the hospital.

1. Assess new patients for healthcare needs and link the patient to the provider that best meets their assessed needs.  

2. Coordinate all patient access issues to ensure patients receive the care they need.

3. Ensure all relevant patient information and medical records are obtained and available at the time of the patient’s appointment with the provider.

4. Coordinate all calls via call center from patients seeking access to care, treatment and services.

5. Develops and implements a system for following up with patients using Emergency Room, including education of patients about appropriate use of ER and ambulatory care services.

6. Supervises Access MA and CHW that helps with the above essential duties and with ER follow-up, assists with case coordination 

7. Participates directly in facilitating patients receive care by making assessments and helping patients receive education and resources to manage and understand their chronic illness, acute episodes, and exacerbations.

8. Utilizes skills, knowledge, and the nursing process to assist the patient and family in self-care activities, compliance with health care recommendations, and optimal health.

9. Care coordination activities include obtaining documentation such as follow up of hospitalizations, ER visits, and other medical and behavioral documentation.

10. Makes assessment of every new patient, which includes, but is not limited to, brief medical history, allergies, psychosocial problems, medications, and current living arrangement of individuals and their families.

11. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.

12. Assists with established patient care coordination activities to enhance the potential for receiving Medicaid MCO shared savings, qualifying for meaningful use payments and complying with PHO related activities 

13. Participates in a multi-disciplinary approach directed toward client’s needs and care.  

Nurse communicates health status information with other health care providers (i.e. providers, social workers, nutritionist, etc.) Involves family members and/or significant others in plan of care, as appropriate.

14. Documents care based on assessment data, sound knowledge base and available referral network, as evidenced by patients’ records. 

15. Provides an opportunity to the patient, significant other, and other family members to gain knowledge about Lowell CHC and the services we provide to our patient population. Information is given in a clear, concise manner, with sensitivity to patients’ level of understanding, culture, age and language. Documents all teaching material given to the patients, or family members including their response, comprehension and need for further follow-up.

16. Demonstrates clinical competence and professional commitment in Nursing Practice by adhering to established standards of practice and utilizing appropriate scientific principles.

17. Attends appropriate staff and community meetings. Participates in community education and health promotion programs when requested.

18. Communicates with other nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians on regular basis for professional information, support, and quality assurance of nursing services for Health Center patients.

19. Participates in the orientation/teaching process, when requested, to assure that new employee/student will become familiar with policies, procedures, and expectations for the job role.

Provides patient care when needed and demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient education and follow-up 

20. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of teaching/learning, growth and development over the life span, and family dynamics.

21. Possesses the ability to assess data reflective of patient’s health status and to interpret the information in the context of each patient’s requirements relative to their specific needs.

22. Assumes any and all additional duties and responsibilities consistent with the aforementioned duties and responsibilities.

Qualifications

Must be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing, Registered Nurse License in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and possess current CPR certificate. Previous outpatient and/or acute-care experience desirable. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to work independently and be well-organized and priority focused. 

Bi-Lingual Candidates strongly desired.

Additional Information

Lowell Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are proud not only of being one of Lowell's largest primary care providers, but of our history serving the community. For over 40 years, Lowell Community Health Center has been offering quality, caring, and culturally appropriate health care services to the people of Greater Lowell, Massachusetts.