Licensed Practical Nurse

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Upper Room AIDS Ministry (URAM), a Federally Qualified Health Center under Harlem United, provides high-quality primary, specialty, dental, and wellness care in the heart of Harlem. All URAM employees are expected to uphold best practices in risk management, quality assurance, and exceptional patient-centered service.

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) plays a critical role in patient care, providing direct clinical support, assisting with diagnostic testing, vaccinations, and information gathering, while also managing key administrative tasks such as hospital discharge follow-ups, vaccine inventory, prior authorizations, and chronic disease monitoring. This role requires both clinical expertise and strong organizational skills to ensure seamless healthcare delivery.

Under the supervision of the Nursing Manager or Physician, the LPN collaborates within a multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality, patient-centered care. The position requires strict adherence to New York State Department of Health regulations and scope of practice guidelines. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, efficient, and capable of managing a fast-paced workload with accuracy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Primary Care Nursing Responsibilities

Clinical

1. Facilitate efficient patient flow within the primary care clinic.
2. Administer injections as ordered by providers.
3. Ensure exam rooms are fully stocked and prepared for patient care.
4. Coordinate and prepare for Care Team Huddles to support team collaboration.
5. Maintain accurate and timely documentation in compliance with protocols.
6. Prepare equipment and aid physician during treatment, examination, and testing of patients
7. Verify chief complaint and take vital signs as requested.
8. Review the EHR active medication list with patients.
9.  Conduct and document point-of-care tests based on protocol.
10. Perform testing, immunization, and other injections, as directed by providers and clinic protocols.
11. Perform phlebotomy as needed. 
12. Step in to perform key Medical Office Assistant (MOA) responsibilities when needed to maintain seamless patient care.

Administrative

1. Perform prior authorizations and DME requests.
2. Monitor and update patient monitoring databases (e.g hospital discharges, injectables, DOH reporting.)
3. Monitor and respond to clinical messages.
4. Under PCP’s direction, provide abnormal test results to patients and provide recommendations.
5. Assist patients in completing medical forms.
6. Track and record vaccines provided through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
7. Monitor and document vaccine refrigerator temperature logs.
8. Assist in coordinating patient care within the clinic and with external providers.
9. Participate in collaborative activities to enhance patient outcomes.
10. Maintain all environment of care quality logs
11. Participate in scheduled clinic rounds to maintain the environment of care
12. Ensure that the quality of care and environment are acceptable.
13. Administer Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) as needed.
14. Provide patient education under the direction of the Nurse Manager or Provider.
15. Ensure adherence to Infection Control and quality of care standards.
16. Comply with all New York State Department of Health/AIDS Institute regulations.
17. Follow and uphold all nursing policies and procedures.
18. Attend nursing conferences, as approved, to stay updated on primary care best practices.
19. Support and engage in advocacy efforts addressing homelessness and HIV/AIDS.
20. Initiate, track and follow-up with prior authorizations.
21. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with active licensure in the State of New York.
2. 1-2 years of experience in an ambulatory care setting.
3. Current BLS certification for Healthcare Providers.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Phlebotomy skills (Preferred)
2. Ability to work Saturdays and evenings.
3. Strong computer skills
4. Excellent customer service and patient-centered approach.
5. Strong communication and organizational skills.

SPECIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

In addition to the above-listed job responsibilities and educational requirements, the ideal candidate for this position possesses most or all of the following:

1. Exhibits professional integrity 
2. Experience with working at Federally Qualified Health Centers or other low resource settings 
3. Experience in caring for people with experiences of homelessness, people who are living with HIV, people who use substances, including people who inject drugs. 
4. Experience in delivering care in gender affirming spaces. 
5. Experience working in a setting that promotes interdisciplinary care planning
6. Strong working Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
7. Strong communication skills
8. Deliver excellent customer service reflecting a commitment to caring, courtesy, and respect for all patients upholding the mission of the organization. 
9. Excellent Organizational skills
10. Bilingual English / Spanish or English/French preferred

Special Requirements

The employee must be able to lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye/hand coordination.  Requires sitting, standing and walking for extensive periods of time.  The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to work with a moderate noise level in the work environment is required.

The above information is intended to describe the most important aspects of the job. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required in order to perform the work. The health center reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the business need arises. Additionally, this job description is not intended as an employment contract, implied or otherwise, and the Center continues to maintain its status as an at-will employer. 

If the essential functions of this position cannot be performed in a satisfactory manner by the employee, reasonable accommodations may be made.