Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN), Infectious Disease

Overview

*LPN Salary Range will defer from the RN*

Performs direct patient care requiring specialized nursing skills; oversees the performance of other patient care activities.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions and Job Duties

• Collects and documents data regarding physical, psychological, and educational needs of patients of all ages.

• Differentiates among emergent, urgent, and non-urgent patients.
• Evaluates patient telephone calls; follows up with instructions and documentation.
• Seeks supervisor and physician advice as needed.

• Establishes priorities in clinic setting and collaborates with Provider regarding plan of care.
• Delegates care to other members of the healthcare team.
• Offers input the plan of care; educates patient in plan of care.

• Screens telephone calls from patients and evaluates for referral. Coordinates and communicates plan of care with the patient and/or the family.
• Conducts pre-authorization for medication and ordered tests and completes appropriate forms. Schedules specialized procedures at the hospital; monitors need for follow-up.
• Arranges outside laboratory tests. Assists physicians by preparing patients and setting up equipment.

• Shares with nursing staff daily scheduling of patients with acute and/or urgent problems.
• Performs as a team nurse with providers and other staff.
• Reports ideas, concerns, and problems to Manager/Coordinator.
• Scanning and accurate indexing of records from outside sources in the patient electronic health record for provider signature.
• Reviews patient’s medical records from previous physician to incorporate pertinent information into patients completed chart.

• Provides and documents care within the standards of practice, policies and procedures.

• Administers and records immunizations, allergy shots and other parental injections; performs related duties.
• Performs or assists in specimen collection of waived lab tests; performs related follow up.
• Performs various screening tests; sets up equipment and assists with various procedures; assists in emergency situations with appropriate emergency supplies and procedures.
• Manages acute and/or episodic minor illnesses of patients by following doctor’s orders and documents treatment.
• Inserts and maintains continuous IV infusions; monitors progress (if applicable).

• Monitors the patient’s response to care; documents variances and revises plan of care to achieve desired outcomes.

• Involves patient’s family and multidisciplinary team; utilizes teaching skills.
• Makes phone calls to patient’s family to follow up and to communicate test results.
• Sets up referrals based on outcomes and doctor’s orders.
• Administers documents and evaluates medications.
• Explains procedures and answers questions from patients and their families; provides verbal, written and audiovisual materials; diet consultation; advice on wellness, exercise, preventative care and safety. Assesses patient’s ability to accept and understand instructions; maintains and orders educational materials.

• Demonstrates department specific competencies, including age specific competencies for all ages.

• Arranges for medication refills.
• Shares knowledge, nursing skills, experience, and patient education advice with physicians.

• Supports and maintains joint commission standard. 

• Attends nursing in-service and continuing education programs.

• Assumes personal responsibility for quality patient care, environment of care, and professional development.

• Assists in coordinating and implementing policies in compliance with all regulatory standards.
• Reports ideas and concerns to supervisor concerning improved patient care, customer service and efficient clinical operations.
• Maintains clean, well-equipped exam room, and assists in inventory control.
• Attends meetings, in-services and continuing education classes; suggests topics and/or conducts nursing in-services.
• Assists with maintenance of patient medical records.

• Documents vitals, history, meds, procedures and instructions according to DMH policies and unit standards. 
• Demonstrates care and knowledge in medication administration.
• Arranges for medication and medication refills. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Current CPR card.
• Must have knowledge of physician’s office practices and policies.
• Strong computer skills for documentation purposes in the electronic medical record.
• Must exhibit good communication skills; ability to provide leadership to the nursing staff.
• Must possess medical knowledge and the ability to perform effectively and efficiently.
• Must be flexible and demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills.
• Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Ability to watch gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Ability to control operations of equipment or systems.
• Ability to determine the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

General Skill Requirements

In addition to the Essential Functions and Qualifications listed above, to perform the job successfully an individual must also possess the following General Skill Requirements.

• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Accepts criticism and feedback; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; ability to work with frustrating situations; work under pressure and on an irregular schedule such as unscheduled overtime, unanticipated changes in work pace; Works with numerous distractions.
• Attendance and Punctuality – Schedules time off in advance; Begins working on time; Keeps absences within guidelines; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Communications – Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; Expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; Exhibits good listening and comprehension; Keeps others adequately informed; Selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Cooperation – Establishes and maintains effective relations; Exhibits tact and consideration; Displays positive outlook and pleasant manner; Offers assistance and support to co-workers; Works cooperatively in group situations; Works actively to resolve conflicts.
• Job Knowledge – Competent in required job skills and knowledge; Exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; Keeps abreast of current developments; Requires minimal supervision; Displays understanding of how job relates to others; Uses resources effectively.
• Judgment – displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions; ability to work with and maintain confidential information.
• Problem solving – Identifies problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Resolves problems in early stages; Works well in group problem solving situations.
• Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Displays commitment to excellence; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity – Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly; Achieves established goals.
• Concentration – Maintains attention to detail over extended period of time; continually aware of variations in changing situations.
• Supervision – ability to perform work independently or with minimal supervision; ability to assign and/or review work; train and/or evaluate other employees.

Education and/or Other Requirements

Must be a graduate from an approved program in professional nursing with current licensure in the State of Illinois.  Previous office experience is desired.

Environmental Factors

This position is performed within an environment of potential exposure to blood and body fluids.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of the job the employee is required to stand, bend and reach.
• While performing the duties of the job the employee is required to perform repetitive hand motion and good body posture due to extended use of computer systems for patient documentation and other purposes.
• The employee will occasionally be required to lift, push and pull weight of at least one to five pounds.

Mental Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to work under pressure and adapt to changing conditions.