Clinical Nurse (Ambulatory Care)

Tohono O'odham Nation Healthcare•Santa Rosa, AZ

About The Position

The Clinical Nurse provides comprehensive nursing care and patient services in a clinic or ambulatory care setting and assists physicians and patients. The position is within Tohono O'odham Nation Health Care, including Sells Hospital, San Xavier Health Center, Santa Rosa Health Center, and San Simon Health Center. The employee is assigned to the outpatient unit and works under the general supervision of the Supervisory Clinical Nurse. The role may require temporary relocation to other TONHC facilities. The nurse provides direct patient care, care coordination, triage, counseling, education, and clinical documentation. Depending on the area of assignment, some listed duties may not apply. The incumbent may also act in the supervisor's absence and perform other assigned duties.

Requirements

Degree from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated State-accrediting agency when the applicant completed the program.
Active, current, unrestricted professional nurse license in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.
Current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Current immunization statement, including proof of a non-reactive tuberculosis skin test within the last year and proof of hepatitis B immunity within three months of hire; documentation of immunization alone does not prove immunity, and a positive titer is required.
Criminal background check and National FBI fingerprint check upon recommendation for hire, including a 39-month driving record.
May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license, with no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years.
If required to operate program vehicles, meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit.
May be required, based on department needs, to demonstrate fluency in both Tohono O'odham and English.
Knowledge of Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
Knowledge of HIPAA-related rules and regulations.
Knowledge of established nursing concepts, principles, and practices for professional assignments of moderate difficulty.
Knowledge of pharmacology, including drugs' desired actions, dosages, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Ability to interpret illnesses for patients, explain therapy purposes and outcomes, and teach appropriate self-care, including medication administration and insulin injection techniques.
Knowledge and skill to conduct staff and patient/family education classes and participate in hospital-wide in-service education.
Knowledge of and ability to apply professional nursing principles, procedures, and techniques to outpatients with a wide variety of conditions.
Skill in providing care and responding promptly to emergencies.
Ability to provide individual and family counseling, guidance, and health instruction about disease prevention and maintaining health.
Skill in developing patient visit plans that consider individual physical, emotional, social, and cultural needs throughout the life span.
Knowledge of professional nursing principles and procedures as applied in an outpatient setting.
Skill in using medical equipment for the assigned area.
Compassion and good communication skills.
Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, maintain confidential information, establish positive working relationships, work independently, and meet strict timelines.
Computer skills sufficient to use and document in the Electronic Health Record.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in an ambulatory care or clinic setting is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Assist the primary provider in gathering patient information for new-patient health histories.
Conduct follow-up calls for the care team provider and contact patients about test results, referrals, medication or care-plan changes, and self-management goals.
Serve as the primary clinical liaison among referral hospitals, pharmacies, treatment facilities, patients, and families to support treatment consistent with established care plans.
Triage patients calling the team's panel or arriving as walk-ins, and assist or direct them to meet their needs safely and promptly using available resources.
Coordinate and participate in patient-care activities, addressing patient and family needs and identifying alternative resources as needed.
Maintain and update patient panels, including identifying, creating, and maintaining high-risk sub-population panels for care management.
Collect and report clinical measures for a patient panel.
Lead a multidisciplinary health care team in performance-improvement efforts.
Provide emergency care as needed.
Assess and support health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment for common chronic illnesses, including diabetes, hypertension, and tuberculosis.
Initiate and follow up on patients' continuing-care and related health-service needs.
Provide patient and family counseling, including telephone triage and counseling, and document it appropriately.
Conduct nurse visits according to standing orders and current orders in the patient's record.
Check stocks of drugs, wound-care supplies, linens, medical supplies, and other patient-related supplies, and advise appropriate staff when supplies are needed.
Work with other health care team members to develop patient-care visit plans.
Maintain patient records with thorough and accurate documentation of all patient encounters.
Administer medications as prescribed by the primary physician or provider and in compliance with policies.
Lead or coordinate pre-visit planning for scheduled patients.
Perform treatments and procedures in the clinical area.
Participate in Quality Improvement teams and other assigned committees.
Act in the supervisor's absence.
Perform other duties as assigned.