Allergy Nurse BWH

Mass General Brigham•Brookline, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The RN is a professional nurse registered in Massachusetts who is responsible and accountable for a specified group of patients in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Locations include 850 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill and other off-site locations, including Brigham Medical Specialties at the Brigham Main Campus, Foxboro Medical Specialties, Faulkner Medical Specialties, and Hale Rheumatology. The RN demonstrates initiative, knowledge, and clinical skills in caring for patients with complex needs and effectively manages patients by assuming full responsibility for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. Responsibilities include administration of allergen immunotherapy/desensitization, allergy testing, oral challenge techniques, mixing and dilution of allergen extracts, patient education on allergen environmental control measures and the use of inhalers and spacers, and performing pre and post bronchodilator spirometry. The role also involves telephone call triage, contacting patients for changes in management, and maintaining the department’s perpetual inventory of samples. The RN is directly responsible to the Nurse Director, Nurse Manager, and Practice Manager. The typical schedule is four 8-hour days, Monday through Friday, generally between 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM, with work at various off-site Allergy clinics.

Requirements

Graduate of an approved school of nursing with current registration in Massachusetts.
For newly licensed nurses, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing is required.
Recent experience in an ambulatory outpatient office visit setting required. (Recent defined as within 5 years.)
Recent pediatric experience required.
Recent experience in Allergy required.
Recent Procedural experience required.
Recent Knowledge and experience with telephone triage required.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and experience in administration of allergen immunotherapy/desensitization.
Knowledge and experience in methods of allergy testing (patch/puncture, Scratch, intradermal).
Knowledge and experience in oral challenge technique. Oral challenges include foods, as well as medications.
Knowledge and experience in preparation and mixing of allergen extracts.
Knowledge and experience in dilution of allergen extracts.
Knowledge and experience in patient education regarding allergen environmental control measures and use of metered dose inhalers, spacers, etc.
Knowledge and experience in the performance of pre and post bronchodilator spirometry.
Knowledge and experience with chemotherapeutic skin tests including by not limited to carboplatin, cisplatin, cytoxan, taxol, oxaliplatin and avastin.
Knowledge and experience with mixing venoms and skin testing to venoms.
Knowledge and experience with penicillin skin tests.
Knowledge and experience with aspirin desensitizations.
Knowledge and experience with McKesson medication ordering.
Knowledge and experience with entering charges for Allergy testing.

Responsibilities

Administration of allergen immunotherapy/desensitization, allergy testing, oral challenge techniques, mixing and dilution of allergen extracts.
Patient education of allergen environmental control measures and the use of metered dose inhalers, breath activated inhalers, spacers, etc.
Performing pre and post bronchodilator spirometry.
Telephone call triage and contacting patients for changes in management.
Maintaining the department’s perpetual inventory of samples and dispensing such samples per the direction of the physicians.
Assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating a plan of care for a specific patient assignment.
Setting priorities when organizing care for patients with varying acuity.
Ensuring continuity through clear and concise communication (verbal and written).
Documentation that is clear, complete, concise and in compliance with nursing documentation standards.
Developing a comprehensive plan of care based on data from an initial assessment of patient and family, information from other members of the health care team, intra-agency referral and previous medical records.
Planning of care that includes education for the patient and family, utilizing appropriate resources.
Accurately communicating the physician’s instructions to the patient.
Following office protocol and physician direction when calling prescriptions to pharmacies, as well as with all other practice procedures.
Planning of care that reflects discharge planning utilizing appropriate resources and referrals including community resources.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the plan of care, and documenting progress in meeting stated goals.
Revising plan of care as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
Participating actively in the departmental and organization quality management and/or quality improvement programs.
Maintaining work environment based on JCASHO and DPH standards.
Providing a safe environment for patients, staff, family and visitors.
Administering medication safely according to established policies and procedures.
Administering allergen immunotherapy/desensitization, allergy testing, oral challenge testing.
Preparing, diluting and mixing allergen extracts according to established policies and procedures.
Taking vital signs and performing PFTs (pulmonary function tests).
Performing nursing procedures safely and efficiently.
Using equipment safely and efficiently.
Demonstrating awareness of potential/actual risks of infection and modes of transmission.
Utilizing universal precautions in nursing practice.
Accurately performing all nursing functions necessary in the ambulatory practice including the administration of medication and injections and other procedures that require a nursing license.
Triaging patient telephone calls and accurately relaying information to the appropriate physician.
Interacting with patients, families and colleagues in a professional manner.
Collaborating with other discipline(s).
Developing, utilizing and evaluating department-specific standards of care.
Participating in the department-based and organization quality assurance.
Participating in determining and implementing goals and objectives for the department.
Upholding the ANA code of ethics and acting as a role model to other staff members.
Participating in determining goals and objectives in the periodic review and evaluation.
Serving on the departmental and organization committees, and disseminating information to peers.
Treating all patients with dignity, compassion and respect.
Assuming responsibility for personal and professional growth through identification of own learning needs.
Sharing knowledge and experience with colleagues.
Participating in departmental and organization education programs.
Seeking and accepting guidance for additional learning needs.
Utilizing nursing research findings in clinical practice.
Contributing to nursing and/or medical research endeavors by supporting investigations.
Utilizing time and materials in an effective and economical manner.
Keeping all patient care and procedure equipment clean and in good working order and reporting equipment problems to supervisor.
Keeping inventory of necessary supplies and equipment: notifying supervisor when items are needed.
Properly stocking patient care area and making cost-effective use of supplies, equipment and other resources.
Keeping all patient-care areas and work areas neat and clean.
Accurately utilizing all equipment and supplies.
Providing suggestions that support the delivery of cost-effective health care.
Demonstrating awareness of the need to manage within established budgetary boundaries.
Participating in the orientation of new staff members, students.
Providing input into the clinical evaluation of other staff, as appropriate.
Assuming responsibility for the department in the absence of leadership personnel.
Adhering to hospital and nursing policies and aiding in their interpretation to others.
Recommending change in policies and procedures through appropriate channels.
Participating in the cooperative effort and peer support required for the smooth running of the department, e.g., flexibility in relations to patient assignment or work schedule.
Promoting collaborative work relationships and influencing others to work collaboratively.
Basing decisions and actions on understanding the perspective of others.
Being a role model to others in service standards.
Interacting professionally with fellow employees and other ancillary departments.
Being supportive of fellow employees and using initiative in helping others.
Being an effective TEAM PLAYER!
Following instructions of and assisting supervisory staff as required.
Maintaining good communication with and reporting problems to supervisor.
Performing all duties and tasks as requested by the supervisor, to ensure the efficient overall performance of the facility.
Attending all required staff meetings.
Being reliable and dependable.
Having flexibility with schedule.