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. The role involves working at various off-site locations, including Brigham Medical Specialties at the Brigham Main Campus, Foxboro Medical Specialties, Faulkner Medical Specialties, and Hale Rheumatology. The nurse 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 administering 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 spirometry. The role also involves telephone call triage and managing patient follow-ups for changes in management, as well as maintaining the department’s inventory of samples. The RN reports directly to the Nurse Director, Nurse Manager, and Practice Manager. The typical schedule is three 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

Current experience with the following skills preferred: 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.
Accountable for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluation a plan of care for a specific patient assignment.
Sets priorities when organizing care for patients with varying acuity which includes primary and associate patients.
Continuity is maintained through clear and concise communication (verbal and written).
Documentation is clear, complete, concise and in compliance with nursing documentation standards.
Develops 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.
Plan of care includes education for the patient and family, utilizing appropriate resources. Specifically, advising patient and family regarding allergen environmental control measures and use of metered dose inhalers, spacers, etc. Accurately communications the physician’s instructions to the patient. Follows office protocol and physician direction when calling prescriptions to pharmacies, as well as with all other practice procedures.
Plan of care reflects discharge planning utilizing appropriate resources and referrals including community resources. As ordered by the physician, discharge care includes blood tests, skin tests, pulmonary function test and reversal, EKG, immunotherapy and/or X-rays.
Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan of care, and documents progress in meeting stated goals. Revises plan of care as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
Participates actively in the departmental and organization quality management and/or quality improvement programs. Is responsible for maintaining work environment based on JCASHO and DPH standards. Responsible for maintaining perpetual inventory, of samples for the department.
Provides a safe environment for patients, staff, family and visitors.
Administers medication safely according to established policies and procedures. Administers allergen immunotherapy/ desensitization, allergy testing, oral challenge testing. Prepares, dilutes and mixes allergen extracts according to established policies and procedures. Takes vital signs and performs PFTs (pulmonary function tests).
Performs nursing procedures safely and efficiently.
Uses equipment safely and efficiently. Performs pre and post bronchodilator spirometry.
Demonstrates awareness of potential/actual risks of infection and modes of transmission. Utilizes universal precautions in nursing practice.
Accurately performs all nursing functions necessary in the ambulatory practice including the administration of medication and injections and other procedures that require a nursing license.
Triages patient telephone calls and accurately relays information to the appropriate physician.
Interacts with patients, families and colleagues in a professional manner.
Collaborates with other discipline(s).
Develops, utilizes and evaluates department-specific standards of care.
Participates in the department-based and organization quality assurance.
Participates in determining and implementing goals and objectives for the department.
Upholds the ANA code of ethics and acts as a role model to the other staff members.
Participates in determining goals and objectives in the periodic review and evaluation.
Serves on the departmental and organization committees, and disseminates information to peers.
Treats all patients with dignity, compassion and respect.
Assumes responsibility for personal and professional growth through identification of own learning needs.
Shares knowledge and experience with colleagues.
Participates in departmental and organization education programs.
Seeks and accepts guidance for addition learning needs.
Utilizes nursing research findings in clinical practice.
Contributes to nursing and/or medical research endeavors by supporting Investigations.
Utilize time and materials in an effective and economical manner, Keep all patient care and procedure equipment clean an in good working order and report equipment problems to supervisor.
Keeps inventory of necessary supplies and equipment: notifies supervisor when items are needed.
Properly stocks patient care area and makes cost effective use of supplies, equipment and other resources.
Keeps all patient-care areas and work areas neat and clean.
Accurately utilizes all equipment and supplies.
Provides suggestions that support the delivery of cost effective health care.
Demonstrates awareness of the need to manage within established budgetary boundaries.
Participates in the orientation of new staff members, students.
Provides input into the clinical evaluation of other staff, as appropriate.
Assumes responsibility for the department in the absence of leadership personnel.
Adheres to hospital and nursing policies and aids in their interpretation to others.
Recommends change in policies and procedures through appropriate channels.
Participates 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.
Promotes collaborative work relationships and influences other to work collaboratively.
Bases decisions and actions on understanding the perspective of others.
Is a role model to other in service standards.
Interacts professionally with fellow employees and other ancillary departments.
Is supportive of fellow employees and uses initiative in helping others.
Is an effective TEAM PLAYER!
Follows instructions of and assists supervisory staff as required. Maintains good communication with and reports problems to supervisor.
Performs all duties and tasks as requested by the supervisor, to ensure the efficient overall performance of the facility.
Attends all required staff meetings.
Is reliable and dependable.
Must have flexibility with schedule.