Staff RN

Location

Tok, AK, US

Organization Name

Health Services

Job Summary

Job Summary: The Staff RN is an essential member of the primary care team bringing a high level of knowledge and skills to RN practice in the key domains of preventative care, chronic illness management, care management, and transitions of care. The Staff RN works both independently and in collaboration with primary care medical providers and medical support staff to deliver services that enhance access to care and overall quality of care for patients. The Staff RN assists patients and families in achieving optimal states of health and wellness by providing direct care using the nursing process, educating patients and families, monitoring patient condition, and assessing the patient-family/response to treatment. The Staff RN enhances access to care by providing direct nursing services per standing medical orders. The Staff RN may assess and treat minor complaints such as dysuria, sore throat, STIs, and wound care, as well as advance medication titration in chronic illnesses (e.g. insulin titration or adjusting antihypertensive medication dosage). By providing access to these routine services the Staff RN helps to optimize patients’ visits with their PCP while providing timely and excellent care to TCC patients.

Adhere to the TCC Ch'eghwtsen' model of service and guiding principle which requires providing timely and effective service along with the ability to interact with others in a way that inspires trust and demonstrates respect, compassion and empathy.

Essential Functions

Essential Functions: This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Representative Duties: Under the general supervision of the Lead RN, job incumbent will:

1. Provides both comprehensive and focused nursing assessments for patients in collaboration with medical staff. Reviews and updates patients’ medical and behavioral health complaints, and conducts baseline physical assessments for primary care provider or nursing visits. Performs routine screenings and point of care testing. Collects and handles laboratory specimens. Prepares and submits orders for lab and x-ray studies or evaluations requiring outside referral. Documents all objective and subjective findings in client's medical record.

2. Assists medical providers and medical assistants by providing care within the RN scope of practice such as IV infusions, wound care, and administration of controlled or high risk medications.

3. Maintains a schedule of dedicated nurse visits in which patients receive routine health maintenance services between PCP visits such as blood pressure checks, medication management, wound care, medication administration, patient education, and telemedicine assessments or care conferences.

4. Provides support to the Lead RN for management of the care team and clinic-wide staffing schedules. Floats to other practice areas as needed to ensure adequate staffing.

5. Notifies patients of abnormal test results and provides necessary patient education and instructions. Schedules and coordinates follow-up testing, nurse visits, or medical provider visits.

6. Receives and triages patients’ medical complaints by telephone or other means and follows established protocols to evaluate patient needs to determine an appropriate disposition (ER, Urgent Care, Primary Care).

7. Actively participates in quality improvement initiatives at the level of their individual practice, the care team, the clinic, and the organization. Makes or contributes to data-driven decision-making that will improve and ensure the quality of care delivered to beneficiaries of TCC services

Other Responsibilities:

1. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

2. Travel to locations throughout the TCC region may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Current RN licensure in the state of Alaska. Bachelors of Science in Nursing preferred.

2. At least two years of clinical practice as a licensed RN is required with experience in an ambulatory, inpatient, urgent care, or emergent care setting is required. BLS required.

3. Experience in delivering rural and community based primary care and public health services preferred.

4. Experience serving Alaska Native or American Indian communities preferred.

5. Must be able to pass a background check pursuant to federal Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act requirements and State of Alaska DHSS background check.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to perform physical and psychosocial patient assessments, identify and execute appropriate nursing interventions, prioritize tasks, and identify and resolve problems effectively and efficiently.

2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and organizational skills for managing workflow and maintaining customer satisfaction.

3. Ability to work well both independently and on an interdisciplinary team, and the ability to maintain patient confidentiality.

Supervision: This position does not supervise staff but the incumbent may be temporarily assigned to act on behalf of their manager and provide supervision to other employees.

Supervision

Physical demands: The job incumbent must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds in support of equipment and supplies. Position requires recurring bending, stooping, kneeling, reading, handling, speaking, hearing, and seeing. The position may require extended periods of standing. Incumbents may periodically lift patients, with or without assistance, in the process of providing medical assessment of patient conditions. Job incumbents must be willing and able to travel to remote locations throughout Alaska, and nationwide.

Summation

Work Environment: May be exposed to potentially violent patients. Potential risk for exposure to contagious diseases and blood-born pathogens.