Lead Nurse

RESPONSIBILITIES: Includes all responsibilities listed in the Staff Nurse job description, in addition to serving as leader for nursing staff and overseeing clinical office operations. May delegate specific tasks but maintains responsibility for completeness and accuracy. Work to ensure day to day clinical operations are in line with organizational values. Evaluate data to improve processes. Lead by example. Be a role model, coach, and encourager.

PHI ACCESS AND DISCLOSURE: It is the policy of our practice that all providers and staff preserve the integrity and confidentiality of protected health information (PHI) pertaining to our patients.  To ensure that a staff member has the necessary medical and PHI to provide the highest quality medical care possible, staff members will have access to the patient’s medical chart, demographic information, and, when necessary, financial information.  All staff members must sign a Confidentiality Agreement before receiving access to this information.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES – ADMINISTRATIVE

1. Responsible for the management of inventory and ordering of nursing and medical supplies, including staying within budget parameters as directed by the nurse manager and regional directors
2. Assume responsibility for the training of nurses and medical assistants. Delegate new hire training to veteran staff as appropriate. Facilitate and oversee the orientation of new team members and ensure the utilization of the clinical training manual
3. Responsible for identifying areas of concern with nursing team members and communicating these issues with the appropriate management, including providers, Nurse Manager and Director of Operations
4. Serve as first line of reference for clinical staff questions and concerns
5. Assist with performance feedback and corrective action plans, in a confidential and respectful manner
6. Assist in the hiring process through assessment of staffing levels, recommendations to hire, and participation in applicant interviews
7. Ensure that each provider is adequately staffed for the number of patients that are scheduled and for the other job duties that need completed, while maintaining optimum productivity but not overwhelming the nursing staff
8. Communicate with other nursing staff and disseminate pertinent information from providers and leadership
9. Assists with the scheduling of patients and scheduling changes as directed by the providers with the approval of the Nurse Manager or Director of Operations
10. Complete the monthly clinical staffing schedules
11. Be available for staff call-ins, including carrying a designated call-in phone where applicable. Adjust staffing as needed based on call-ins
12. Lead staff meetings and attend any management meeting as directed by the Nurse Manager or Director or Operations and convey new information to nursing staff
13. Ensure staff are following pathology protocol and making sure that pathology treatment plan is carried out in a timely manner
14. Make suggestions to providers or leadership for needed changes in policies and procedures
15. Stay up to date on current best practices and new medications
16. Collaborate with front desk leadership regarding issues related to the front desk (scheduling errors, incorrect direction of calls, etc)
17. Collaborate with nurses, providers, front desk personnel and management to provide highest level of care possible to patients
18. Perform all duties and responsibilities listed under Staff Nurse (see below)

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES – STAFF NURSE

Patient Care 

1. Obtain a history of present illness/concerns, obtain HPI and any updates 
2. Provide education and support to patients and their families. Help patients make informed decisions surrounding their care and treatment plans 
3. Perform a review of systems with the patient 
4. Prepare patients for examination and/or procedures 
5. Take past medical, family, medication, allergy, and social history and update at each visit 
6. Complete patient notes, chief complaint, review of systems, scribing exam, scribing assessment, and scribing the treatment plan as outlined by the provider. Input and verify information for MIPS to ensure favorable results 
7. Input medications and prescriptions as ordered by the provider. Provide medication education to the patient as appropriate
8. Complete re-fill requests 
9. Contact patients with pathology results and schedule follow-ups procedures and appointments. The staff nurse is accountable for oversight of outstanding pathology for providers they work with. This includes monitoring that pathology has timely follow up and ensuring that treatment is completed. Overall maintenance of the pathology tab in EMA 
10. Execute closed loop communication when collaborating with outside providers/specialists 
11. Perform suture removals, and provide instructions on post-op wound care 
12. Administer medication and treatments as ordered by the provider using the Five Rights of Medication Administration 
13. Perform phototherapy treatments per clinic protocols and as directed by prescribing provider 
14. Take phone calls and return phone messages, triaging patients as necessary 
15. Work faxes in a timely manner 
16. Mix and draw up medications including anesthetic, methotrexate, 5-FU, IM Steroids and others according to clinic policy and provider orders 
17. Assist teammates in managing their workload effectively. Offer to help with tasks or assignments when possible. Collaborate with team to identify ways to distribute workload and delegate as appropriate 
18. Stay up to date on current best practices and new medications 
19. Assist patient to the exam room, bathroom, or mode of transportation as necessary
20. Other duties as assigned 

Assist Providers 

1. Assist the provider during the examination as required 
2. Enter and complete prescriptions as directed by the provider 
3. Complete iPledge designee, confirmation, register, and assist in counseling patients as instructed by provider 
4. Assist in obtaining prior authorization for specialty medication in accordance with clinic workflows 
5. Prepare surgical supplies and equipment for surgeries and procedures  
6. Complete specimen collection for lab testing, and document accordingly 
7. Assist provider with biopsies, surgeries and procedures 
8. Prepare for outreach/satellite clinics 
9. Perform temperature and quality control checks as instructed by CLIA officer 
10. Complete all documentation and scribing for patient visits and patient communication 

Other Duties 

1. Clean and prepare the exam room after each patient visit 
2. Prepare instruments for sterilization and utilize autoclave as directed by manufacturer. Perform weekly and monthly autoclave maintenance 
3. Restock exam, surgical, and treatment areas. Report items that need to be re-ordered  
4. Keep all work areas clean and organized, including shared areas 
5. Empty and wipe down trash receptacles, both contaminated and non-contaminated 
6. Remove biohazards/sharps containers from exam rooms following OSHA guidelines for packaging and disposal 
7. Vacuum and sweep flooring as needed 
8. Wash, fold and put away laundry 
9. Prepare specimens for courier pick up and complete associated logs and documentation 
10. Assist with answering incoming phone calls to the clinic 
11. Attend regular staff meetings and provide feedback as needed regarding policies and procedures 
12. Act as a champion of positive change within the clinic. Foster and model the behaviors that reflect and support the desired group culture for the organization. Constructively offer feedback to the clinical team when there is incongruence with behaviors and the desired culture 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

1. Registered Nurse (Preferred) or Licensed Practical Nurse holding an active Kansas license in good standing with at least 1 to 2 years of experience
2. Graduate of an accredited nursing program and successfully passing the nursing state board exam
3. Active CPR certification
4. Willing to use nursing skills
5. Willing to learn numerous dermatologic procedures
6. Willing to work independently yet closely with others as a team player
7. Able to take initiative
8. Possess strong attention to detail
9. Able to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) with patients, providers, and staff
10. Able to learn and perform procedures and tasks as listed in the job description
11. Must be capable of lifting and carrying 20 lbs, and occasionally up to 50 lbs
12. Must be proficient in using basic medical math skills
13. Problem-solving and use of reasoning skills to make discriminating judgments knowing right from wrong
14. Have legible handwriting
15. Dress according to guidelines in personnel manual
16. Must be capable of utilizing EHR for medical documentation on both desktop and tablet platforms

Equipment Used: Office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, phones, fax machines, calculators, computer software, iPad, instrument sterilizer, UVB machine, blu-light machine, medical instruments, electric exam chairs, blood pressure cuff, and other not mentioned office and medical equipment.