RN Lead Nurse - Pediatrics

General

Position Summary:

The RN Lead Nurse leads the assigned area in order to provide professional, team-based medical care and nursing support in a clinical setting. Under direct supervision of the Chief Nursing Officer, the nursing staff plays a critical role in the delivery of quality, patient-centered medical care within the context of a federally (HRSA) qualified community health center (FQHC). The Lead Nurse oversees the assigned nursing team with the goal of providing optimal patient care.

The Lead Nurse is a mentor, resource, and example to all staff in the assigned work area.

• Communicates with patients in a courteous and professional manner in face-to-face encounters and via the telephone.
• Educates the patient and family members on the patient’s diagnoses and health care self-management within the scope of knowledge and authority.

• Participates in the implementation of staff development and education.

• Leads daily huddles and participates in monthly care team meetings to communicate and collaborate on patient issues and needs.

• Conducts patient screening for hearing, vision, vital signs, blood pressure, and other routine procedures.
• Assists the providers with in-office tests and procedures as ordered.
• Administers medications, including intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous injections as ordered by the provider.
• Initiates and monitors the infusion of IV fluids if needed, provided the Lead Nurse is a Registered Nurse.
• Documents all clinical activities and patient interactions in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Assists providers and the referral staff with referrals if needed (scheduling, tracking, obtaining reports via phone/fax).
• Collects specimens from patients, performs in-house laboratory testing, and processes specimens and requisitions for transport to the outside testing facility.
• Stocks exam rooms and special treatment rooms with necessary supplies and indicates the necessity for ordering supplies on the appropriate supply order form, designated board, or list.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment toward continuous learning and developmental opportunities.
• Returns patient phone calls promptly.
• Demonstrates flexibility, open-mindedness, and versatility in adjusting to changing environments and requirements as necessary.
• Functions as a triage nurse.
• Interacts with other agencies/medical entities regarding patient medical information and documents referrals as necessary.
• Participates in the education of nursing and medical assistant students as assigned.
• Physical attendance is an essential element of the job and necessary to perform the essential functions of the Lead Nurse position.
• Coordinates vaccines for VVFC and Private Stock. Obtains and logs refrigerator/freezer temperatures two times a day or designates another staff person to do so. Orders vaccines.
• Performs other clinical duties and responsibilities as assigned by the CNO.

• Identifies attendance, performance, and behavioral issues of team members, consults with Human Resources and/or CNO, and addresses with staff member.
• Participates in the interviewing process for new team members.
• Prepares and conducts 90-day (new hire) and annual Employee Performance Evaluations (EPE) for team members.
• Creates and updates working schedules for assigned location.
• Assists the CNO in scheduling medical assistant and nursing student rotations.
• Edits and completes all assigned staff’s timecards and time-off requests.
• Oversees staff orientations with newly hired or transferred staff members to the team.
• Serves as a resource for all internal staff and external customers.
• Assists the CNO with creating, reviewing, and editing policies and procedures and is a back-up for the CNO when the CNO and Associate Director of Nursing (ADON) are both absent.
• Educates and leads the department in all emergency situations and is part of JHC’s Emergency Preparedness team.

• Attends all nursing staff/department meetings and participates in the JHC CQIP program.

• Attends all mandatory OSHA infection control trainings and…