Outpatient RN

DRISCOLL HEALTH PLAN•Corpus Christi, TX

About The Position

The staff nurse is a professional Registered Nurse who provides direct nursing care to an assigned patient population, service line, or clinic department. In the Endocrinology Clinic, with support for the Wellness Clinic, the nurse uses the nursing process to plan and deliver effective patient care within the scope of the Texas Nursing Practice Act and Driscoll Health System’s vision and mission. The nurse practices according to professional, ethical, organizational, and specialty standards and maintains competence in the skills required for the assigned area. The role includes assessing patients, analyzing data, identifying outcomes, and developing and evaluating individualized evidence-based care plans in partnership with patients, families, and the healthcare team. Responsibilities include administering medications and treatments, coordinating referrals and follow-up care, conducting phone triage and prescription renewals in the ambulatory setting, educating patients and families, documenting care, supporting quality improvement and clinical research, and promoting safe, equitable, continuous care. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Staffing needs may require schedule flexibility, alternating shifts, nights, weekends, on-call or callback shifts, floating, or travel to satellite outpatient clinics. The nurse may also be flexed off or placed on standby according to policy and operational needs.

Requirements

Current Registered Nurse license in the State of Texas.
Maintain American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) certification. AHA or Red Cross CPR may be accepted at onboarding, with transition to AHA upon first renewal.
Complete Advanced Specialty Courses according to Attachment A within its specified timeframes and maintain them continuously.
Attempt national certification in the specialty within four years of hire if eligible for the role, and maintain it thereafter.
Demonstrate competence in skills and nursing practice relevant to the assigned service line or primary work area.
Be willing to float among care areas and travel to satellite outpatient clinics as needed.
Meet staffing needs that may involve flexible or alternating shifts, nights, weekends, on-call or callback shifts, and standby or flex-off arrangements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
Bilingual ability strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Collect pertinent data through initial and ongoing focused assessments and conduct comprehensive assessments of patients’ physical, psychosocial, and emotional needs.
Use appropriate assessment tools and analyze findings to identify actual or potential diagnoses, problems, and issues; verify them with patients and interprofessional colleagues.
Identify expected outcomes and develop, prioritize, implement, and modify individualized evidence-based plans of care with patients, families, and the healthcare team.
Collaborate with healthcare team members to address patient needs promptly and contribute to a patient-focused, family-centered care environment and safe transitions.
Administer medications and therapeutic treatments according to clinical guidelines and orders, recognize abnormal responses, initiate corrective therapy, and escalate concerns until resolved.
Initiate referrals and communicate with patients, families, healthcare teams, and community resources to ensure continuity of care.
Coordinate specialty and subspecialty referrals and follow-up appointments between inpatient and outpatient care.
In the ambulatory setting, perform phone triage, manage prescription renewals, and coordinate follow-up appointments and care plans.
Identify barriers to learning and provide patient and family education tailored to their needs, values, beliefs, language, culture, and readiness to learn.
Evaluate patient responses and progress toward expected outcomes, report findings, and revise care plans as needed.
Practice according to the nursing code of ethics; advocate for safe, effective, efficient, timely, compassionate, and equitable care.
Establish therapeutic relationships that maintain patient comfort and dignity and provide respectful, unbiased care.
Use clear, closed-loop communication, language translation resources, and timely, accurate medical-record documentation.
Participate in unit activities, shared governance, and decision-making; help resolve conflict and appropriately delegate nursing care.
Assume a lead role as needed, and assume charge nurse responsibilities after completing requested training and competency requirements.
Maintain and advance clinical knowledge and skills; mentor or train nurses new to their roles.
Follow clinical research protocols and use current evidence and clinical expertise to guide practice.
Comply with regulatory and organizational policies and professional standards; participate in quality improvement and identify trends in patient outcomes.
Complete required ongoing development, education, competency, and certification requirements.
Ensure equipment functions correctly, report deficiencies, use connected health technologies, and submit required documentation for chargeable and billable care.
Help create a safe and healthy workplace free of abusive, destructive, or oppressive behaviors.
Demonstrate flexibility in staffing, scheduling, and travel to meet unit and system needs; float between care areas, departments, subspecialty clinics, or ambulatory clinics as directed and within scope and competency.
Support staffing needs that may include alternating shifts, flexible hours, nights, weekends, on-call or callback shifts, or being flexed off or placed on standby according to policy and operational needs.
Travel to satellite locations and outpatient clinics as needed to support patient access, care coordination, and continuity.