Health Center RN

Location: Saint Johnsbury

Practice nursing with purpose, stability, and support.

Our Health Center RNs at the Hardwick Area Health Center are essential members of the care team, trusted to make clinical decisions, educate patients, and support providers in delivering high-quality care.

This role offers meaningful patient relationships, a predictable schedule, and the opportunity to focus on proactive, community-based healthcare-without the constant pressure of inpatient settings.

Job Summary:

The Health Center RN provides comprehensive primary care to diverse patient populations. They offer a range of services, including preventative care, chronic disease management, and health education, with a strong emphasis on patient-centered care. Their responsibilities include patient assessment, care coordination, medication administration, and health education, all within a collaborative team environment.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

A. PATIENT CARE

* Triage

* Screen patient telephone calls for providers.

* Perform clinical assessments, utilizing knowledge of disease process and treatment.

* Assist office staff in triaging call-in and walk-in appointments.

* Coordinate with office staff in monitoring and adjusting scheduling and workload of providers to insure the smooth flow of patients.

* When requested by Nurse Manager, carryout standing orders for medication refills, ordering tests, and routine health maintenance services per Health Center protocols.

* Intake

* Interview patients for health history and clinical information updates.

* Conduct nursing assessments and preliminary patient work-ups.

* Take patient vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc.).

* Treatment and Procedures

* Apply and change dressings/bandages.

* Administer IM, SQ, intradermal, and inhaled medications and vaccines.

* Administer allergy injections, as per local site protocols.

* Perform catheterization per provider orders and within the scope of health center protocols.

* Conduct vision screening.

* Conduct audiometry screening.

* Perform EKG's (if provided on site).

* Assist in suturing procedures.

* Other procedures as per health center protocols, for example starting IV's, and responding to Code Blue/defib needs.

* Health Education/Teaching

* Instruct patients about treatment regimens (medication, diet, activity, etc.).

* Provide education and instruction on issues of health maintenance.

* Participate in the development and implementation of community health education initiatives (screening clinics, public information forums, etc.).

B. LABORATORY

* Testing

* Perform laboratory tests as per health center protocols.

* Record tests and results in appropriate EMR.

* Phlebotomy

* Draw and prepare specimens for in-house or outside laboratory testing.

C. PHARMACEUTICALS

* Dispensing

* Dispense pharmaceuticals as per provider orders and in accordance with health center, NCHC, Vermont, and Federal guidelines.

* Monitor inventory levels and outdates of on-site pharmaceutical supplies.

D. RECORDS

* Medical Records

* Document nursing activities and relevant patient care information in medical records as per health center protocols.

* Tracking Systems

* Record and maintain records and statistics (e.g. immunizations, perinatal data, etc.) as per protocols or request.

E. INFECTION CONTROL

* Instrument Sterilization

* Clean and sterilize instruments.

* General office infection control.

F. QUALITY ASSURANCE

* Participate in the development, implementation, audit, and continuous evaluation and improvement of protocols, services and programs provided by the health center.

G. OTHER

* It is expected that you will meet the productivity standards that are set forth by your Supervisor and/or NCHC Division protocols.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Position

Qualifications:

* Graduate of an accredited RN program

* Licensed in the State of Vermont

* Provider-level CPR/BLS required

* ACLS and PALS required at some sites

* Minimum one-year experience in a community health center, medical office, or similar setting

* Familiarity with public health and community health issues

* Knowledge of disease processes and treatments

* Knowledge of medications and their effects/side effects

* Effective communication skills with patients of all ages

* Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

* Skilled in multitasking and managing priorities

* Strong problem-solving abilities

* Able to perform basic medical office lab tests

* Proficient in written and verbal communication

* Computer proficiency, including email, spreadsheets, word processing, and EMRs

* High level of confidentiality required

* Physically able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand/walk for extended periods

* Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination required

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