CAREERS

The Promise Clinic Nurse provides nursing care to patients and families in accordance with the health care plan, policies, procedures and protocols established by Promise.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assesses plans, advocates for and provides health care for patients and community in accordance with Promise standards and policies, with an emphasis on prevention.
2. Greets and escorts patients and families to exam rooms for provider visits. Performs data collection and documents subjective and objective data in patient records. Reviews health history with a focus on environment, self-care and home/community needs.
3. Provides care management by serving in the role of patient advocate, serves as a resource by listening, attending to, and recording relevant patient information.
4. Administers meds when needed and performs provider-ordered tests. Seeks opportunities to promote health and wellness with patient education and screening tools. (i.e. Ages and Stages, Depression screening)
5. Remains calm and performs effectively during peak periods and during stressful times.
6. Schedules and tracks referrals. Effectively utilizes community resources, informing and referring patients and families as needed.
7. Anticipates and prepares exam room for provider(s) when needed, capturing teachable moments wherever and whenever possible.
8. Utilizes universal precautionaries in obtaining specimens and in delivering care.
9. Functions as a member of the health care team. Assists with orientation and education of new employees, ensuring their understanding of health center standards and performance measures, etc.
10. Articulates the mission of Promise and seeks opportunities to promote the center through outreach. Strives to advance PCMH (Patient Centered Medical Home model with patients and families).
11. Regularly attends Promise staff meetings, in-services and trainings. Understands FQHC UDS Performance measures and importance of Promise meeting these measures.
12. Conscientiously documents all nursing care; communicates professionally, and honors patient confidentiality 100% of the time.
13. Volunteers for service/participation in Promise events regularly.
14. Meets FQHC productivity and performance standards.
15. Demonstrates and supports service excellence standards.
16. Completes required in-services and certifications 100% of the time.
17. Demonstrates commitment to Electronic medical record implementation.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

1. Demonstrates ability to consistently perform job duties as outlined in the job description.
2. Demonstrates and supports service excellence standards outlined in the Employee Policies.
3. Demonstrates commitment to professional growth and competence.
4. Completes classes and certifications required for job. Protects patient confidentiality 100% of the time.
5. Improves knowledge and skills to provide superior patient care and additional education as recommended by Promise.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

1. Current License to practice Nursing in the State of Iowa.
2. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; is computer literate.
3. One to two years of nursing experience preferred. Experience in Community Health and/or Community Health Center preferred.
4. Bilingual (Spanish speaking) preferred.
5. Must have the ability to work as a team member, establishing effective relationships with patients and staff. Must be able to work well with low income populations in a respectful manner.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The work environment characteristics are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to sit for long periods of time, is required to use routine office equipment to talk, hear, write, read small print, reach the top of a five-drawer filing cabinet and to lift boxes of no more than 30 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Possible exposure to airborne and blood borne pathogens & hazardous materials. All Promise facilities are smoke free environments.

The purpose of this position is to provide general nursing care to patients of all ages, gender, cultures and backgrounds in the clinical setting. To interpret from English <-> Spanish for providers/staff during encounters with Spanish speaking patients, as well as translate written instructions from English <-> Spanish. This position will also need to follow the interpreter code of ethics and standards of practice.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Greets and escorts patients to exam room for medical provider visit. Obtains and documents subjective (chief complaint, allergies, pain) and objective (vital signs, weight) data accurately and concisely.
• Communicates to the provider information about patient; any problems, needs or changes in patient status.
• Provides basic education and applicable handouts to patients appropriate to their age and identified learning considerations and needs; explains lab/diagnostic tests to the patient. Prepares patients for tests when needed.
• Administers medications or treatments (per scope of practice) to the patient as ordered by the provider or delegated by a registered nurse. Utilizes proper procedure with special consideration for patient safety.
• Anticipates and prepares exam room with equipment and supplies required for the visit; assists the health care team with exams and procedures.
• Demonstrates an ability to remain calm, perform effectively and professionally during peak periods of activity and emergency situations.
• Sterilizes equipment using autoclave.
• Utilizes universal precautions in obtaining specimens (venipuncture, cultures, etc.) and in delivery of patient care.
• Performs lab/diagnostic testing as ordered by provider; reports all critical lab values immediately; performs quality controls and maintains all laboratory/diagnostic test logs (as allowed within scope of practice/certification).
• Schedules and tracks referrals and communicates with pharmacies to order medications and refills as ordered by provider.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, in-service trainings and Promise events on a regular basis

TEAM DUTIES

• Assists other members of the team to include, but not limited to: answering in-coming phone calls, updating information in the computer, scheduling appointments and procedures, preparing charts, and other office tasks required to keep the clinic operating smoothly.
• Acts in a professional manner reflecting the mission of the Health Center and demonstrates an ability to remain calm during peak periods of activity.
• Participates in orientation of new employees and ongoing in-house training.
• Communicates clearly, concisely and accurately, creating a working climate that provides growth and job satisfaction of personnel.

ADMINISTRATION DUTIES

• Acts in a professional manner, reflecting the mission of Promise and demonstrates compliance with all policy, procedures and federal/state regulations.
• Demonstrates ongoing service excellence skills.
• Maintains economical and efficient nursing care in a clean and safe environment.
• Participates in performance improvement activities as requested.
• Demonstrates ongoing understanding of corporate compliance policy.
• Participates in meetings, conferences, and demonstrates genuine desire to develop strategies for improved Promise operations and a high level of patient care.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Demonstrates ability to consistently perform job duties as outlined in the job description.
• Demonstrates and supports service excellence standards outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Demonstrates commitment to professional growth and competence.
• Completes classes and certifications 100% of the time. Respects patient’s confidentiality 100% of the time.
• Handwriting is legible 100% of the time.
• Improve knowledge and skills to provide superior patient care and additional education as recommended by Promise.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications

• Proficiency in Spanish.
• Knowledge of nursing care in accordance with policies and procedures established by Promise.
• Consistent demonstration of a team approach to care.
• Ability to consistently meet the department work schedule as designated by supervisor.
• Willing to become computer literate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years experience in basic patient care.
• Experience in Community Health Centers.
• Computer literate.
• BCLS certified.
• Bilingual, preferably Spanish speaking.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The work environment characteristics are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to sit for long periods of time, is required to use routine office equipment to talk, hear, write, read small print, reach the top of a five-drawer filing cabinet and to lift boxes of no more than 30 pounds.

Responsible for providing dental services to the target population of Promise  in accordance with the Iowa Dental Practice Act and Iowa Department of Public Health Dental Supervision requirements.