Registered Nurse-Outpatient Pulmonary

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Outpatient Pulmonary Clinical Nurse II provides direct care to adults receiving outpatient pulmonary services, including general pulmonary care and subspecialties such as asthma, advanced COPD, bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacteria, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung diseases, sarcoidosis, and neuromuscular lung diseases. Working under the supervision of the Clinical Manager and Practice Manager, the nurse applies the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate safe, individualized care. The role requires in-depth knowledge of pulmonary diseases, treatment modalities, symptom management, supportive care, and patient education, as well as an interdisciplinary approach and adherence to patient-safety standards. The nurse works in a fast-paced environment, must be flexible to work at multiple UCSF Medical Center locations, and may cross-cover pulmonary subspecialties and other nurses. Daily work includes symptomatic telephone triage, in-basket management, complex care coordination, prior authorization for specialty medications, walk-test titration, and assistance with clinic emergencies. The nurse supports patient care delivered by UCSF Pulmonary Center physicians and the clinical and nursing team, maintains a safe environment, and contributes to daily practice operations. Responsibilities also include patient assessment and care planning; administering and documenting medications and treatments; educating patients and families; coordinating referrals, appointments, testing, and follow-up; maintaining accurate records; responding to emergencies; participating in performance improvement; and contributing to team communication, safety, and professional development.

Requirements

Recent adult outpatient pulmonary experience within the past two years, such as asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung diseases, or COPD.
At least one year of recent RN experience in an adult outpatient medical specialty setting within the past two years.
At least one year of previous acute care experience.
Experience with EPIC systems.
Experience working in a fast-paced environment.
Flexibility to orient to operational needs, cover other pulmonary subspecialties, and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.
Training and experience with electronic health records.
Current California Registered Nurse license.
Current BLS certification.

Nice To Haves

High-level interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Experience with IV antibiotics or complex care coordination.
Experience obtaining prior authorization for complex and specialty medications.
Experience with symptomatic telephone triage in a call center environment.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ physical and emotional needs and responses to treatment; document observations and report concerns to the appropriate care team members.
Collaborate with the healthcare team to develop patient care goals and plans, taking account of patients’ individual, cultural, and socioeconomic needs.
Provide individualized nursing care, including nurse visits, wound care, vaccinations, venipuncture, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, medication administration, and evaluation of patient responses.
Respond appropriately to clinic and medical emergencies, including initiating or assisting with CPR as needed.
Review in-basket messages and triage telephone inquiries according to protocol.
Review laboratory results with physicians or nurse practitioners, communicate care instructions to patients, and document treatment plans and follow-up.
Coordinate continuity of care through clear communication with patients, families, providers, and other members of the healthcare team.
Assist with referral screening, appointment scheduling, and coordination of testing with ancillary departments.
Request authorization for visits and assist providers with prior authorization for specialty medications.
Support clinic operations by rotating among tasks such as answering phones, managing the front desk, checking in patients, scheduling appointments, and working referral queues.
Provide patient and family education, verify understanding, and use appropriate educational resources.
Participate in performance improvement activities, recommend improvements, assist with data collection, and report safety or environmental issues.
Attend training, conferences, workshops, and staff meetings; contribute to the orientation and learning of other healthcare team members.
Maintain required licensure, certifications, annual competencies, and compliance with departmental and Medical Center policies and procedures.