Nurse Clinician- Sickle Cell Program

Children's Wisconsin•Milwaukee, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sickle Cell Nurse Clinician plays a critical role in the coordination and delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care to pediatric individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) and related hemoglobinopathies. Working within a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team environment, the Nurse Clinician develops and implements individualized care plans to ensure each patient has the resources, education, and support necessary for optimal follow-up care and long-term disease management.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Broad based knowledge of nursing practices normally acquired through completion of a Bachelors degree in Nursing required
2+ years pediatric nursing experience, in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of patient care within a defined patient population, and gain knowledge and skill in pediatric nursing procedures and standards required
Analytical skills necessary to resolve complex patient problems, develop standards of care and procedures, and evaluate the quality of nursing care.
An understanding of CW health care delivery system and the impact of other health care delivery systems on the patient and family.
Able to operationalize the primary nursing model.
Mental and sensory abilities to read, process and interpret clinical data.
Interpersonal and communication skills sufficient to interact effectively with interdisciplinary health team members, other CW departments, and consumers.
Ability to rotate shifts and/or work flexible hours to meet patient care needs.
Must be able to walk, stand for long periods, over 80% of the assigned work period, as well as lift and position patients weighing up to 75 pounds.
BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider - American Heart Association/American Red Cross/National Safety Council required
License RN-Registered Nurse (30) - State of Wisconsin OR License RN-Registered Nurse (IN Compact) - State of Indiana

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary clinical point of contact for sickle cell patients across the continuum of care, from routine disease management to acute pain episodes and complications
Coordinate care activities among hematologists, advanced practice providers, social workers, pharmacists, pain management specialists, and other members of the multi-disciplinary team
Facilitate timely scheduling of laboratory monitoring, diagnostic testing, specialty consultations, and follow-up appointments
Monitor patient status and proactively identify and address barriers to care, including social determinants of health that disproportionately affect the sickle cell population
Develop individualized, evidence-based care plans in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team for each patient in the sickle cell program
Ensure care plans address medical, psychosocial, functional, and educational needs — including pain management, hydroxyurea therapy, disease-modifying treatments, and transition planning for adolescent patients
Review and update care plans as patient conditions change throughout the course of care
Provide clear, compassionate education to patients and families regarding sickle cell disease, treatment options, pain crisis management, medication adherence, and follow-up care expectations
Assess health literacy and tailor educational approaches to meet diverse patient needs
Connect patients and caregivers with appropriate community resources, disease-specific support groups, and financial assistance programs
Perform comprehensive nursing assessments and triage of patient concerns, including acute pain episodes, fever, and other sickle cell-related complications
Manage symptom-related calls and patient portal messages, escalating to the appropriate provider when indicated
Administer or coordinate treatments and medications per established protocols and physician orders, including infusion therapies and hydroxyurea monitoring
Document all clinical activity accurately and in a timely manner within the electronic health record (EHR)
Participate in quality improvement initiatives specific to the sickle cell population
Contribute to the development and refinement of clinical pathways, protocols, and patient education materials
Support efforts to reduce emergency department utilization and hospitalizations through proactive outreach and care management
Engage in departmental meetings, case conferences, and multi-disciplinary care team huddles