Health Center LPN/RN

About the role

Care for your community while making a lasting impact. As part of our Health Center Nursing Staff, you'll join a collaborative team committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals and families across every stage of life. Through meaningful relationships, care coordination, patient education, and clinical excellence, you'll help improve health outcomes while supporting our mission to strengthen the communities we serve. We're seeking either a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) to join our team. Candidates with either license are encouraged to apply. Responsibilities may be adjusted based on licensure, experience, and scope of practice. The Health Center Nurse (LPN/RN) is an integral member of the primary care team, providing compassionate, high-quality, patient-centered care to individuals across diverse patient populations. The Health Center Nurse (LPN/RN) is responsible to the Practice Manager and works under the daily direction and clinical oversight of the provider staff. As an integral member of the healthcare team, the Health Center Nurse provides compassionate, high-quality, patient-centered care to individuals across diverse patient populations. Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with office staff in monitoring and adjusting scheduling and workload of providers to ensure smooth patient flow.
• Interview patients for health history and clinical information updates.
• Contribute to patient assessment through collection of data using established protocols, procedures, forms, or guidelines.
• Take patient vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc.).
• Apply and change dressings/bandages.
• Administer IM, SQ, intradermal, and inhaled medications and vaccines.
• Administer allergy injections per local site protocols.
• Perform catheterization per provider orders and within health center protocols.
• Conduct vision screening.
• Conduct audiometry screening.
• Perform EKGs (if provided on site).
• Assist in suturing procedures.
• Perform other procedures per health center protocols (e.g., starting IVs, responding to Code Blue/defibrillation needs).
• Instruct patients about treatment regimens (medication, diet, activity, etc.).
• Provide education and instruction on health maintenance issues.
• Participate in development and implementation of community health education initiatives (screening clinics, public information forums, etc.).
• Perform laboratory tests per health center protocols and record results in appropriate EMR.
• Draw and prepare specimens for in-house or outside laboratory testing.
• Dispense pharmaceuticals per provider orders and in accordance with health center, NCHC, Vermont, and Federal guidelines.
• Monitor inventory levels and outdates of on-site pharmaceutical supplies.
• Document nursing activities and relevant patient care information in medical records per health center protocols.
• Record and maintain records and statistics (e.g., immunizations, perinatal data) per protocols or request.
• Clean and sterilize instruments; perform general office infection control.
• Participate in development, implementation, audit, and continuous evaluation and improvement of protocols, services, and programs.
• Meet productivity standards set by supervisor and/or NCHC Division protocols.
• Perform job-related tasks as requested beyond those stated.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited LPN or RN program.
• Licensed in the State of Vermont.
• Provider-level CPR/BLS required.
• Minimum one-year experience in a community health center, medical office, or similar setting.
• Familiarity with public health and community health issues.
• Knowledge of disease processes and treatments.
• Knowledge of medications and their effects/side effects.

Skills

• Effective communication skills with patients of all ages.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Skilled in multitasking and managing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Able to perform basic medical office lab tests.
• Proficient in written and verbal communication.
• Computer proficiency, including email, spreadsheets, word processing, and EMRs.
• High level of confidentiality required.
• Physically able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand/walk for extended periods.
• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination required.
• Exposure to bodily fluids and communicable diseases expected.
• Must be able to work under stress and in emergency situations during irregular hours.