Registered Nurse - Ambulatory Medicine

Performs an age-specific plan of care for a designated group of patients using the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. Collaborates with physicians and other health team members in coordinating and implementing procedures and treatments. Uses leadership skills and clinical judgment in coordinating patient care and directing/delegating activities of the patient care unit team.

Responsibilities

• Conducts patient interview, explains policies and procedures to patient/significant others, reviews patient’s chart, and answers questions correctly and courteously.
• Assesses gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and neurological health status; determines mobility, sensory deficits, prostheses use, and skin condition, adjusting the plan of care as appropriate.
• Assesses level of pain and pain management; communicates and documents patient’s physiologic health status and plan of care.
• Assesses patient’s psychosocial health status; elicits perception of medical/nursing care and expectations; determines coping mechanisms, knowledge level, and ability to comprehend.
• Identifies cultural/ethnic requirements to reduce anxiety and ensure patient satisfaction; communicates and documents psychological status and care plan, including support groups, counseling, and social services.
• Identifies patient outcomes; develops criteria for measurement; identifies actual/potential patient problems and need for teaching based on psychosocial and developmental assessment.
• Develops patient outcome statements and establishes individualized patient goals; identifies care activities and priorities to achieve expected outcomes.
• Coordinates cost-effective use of supplies, equipment, and medication; documents the plan of care and collaborates with physicians and other health team members.
• Implements the plan of care; maintains patient safety (e.g., side rails up, call lights within reach); exercises professional skills related to the plan of care.
• Reassesses patients as needed and revises the plan of care; administers prescribed treatments and uses equipment safely and efficiently.
• Provides emotional support to patients and significant others; applies scientific principles in performing procedures safely and timely.
• Makes accurate observations of patient conditions during treatments/procedures; reports and records observations appropriately.
• Keeps accurate documentation of patient treatment, activity, condition, and responses to interventions; follows departmental documentation policies.
• Acts rapidly and effectively during emergencies; manages self, patients, and other employees; maintains a calm, restful atmosphere.
• Communicates effectively with patient families or caretakers; participates in discharge planning and coordinates referrals.
• Provides discharge instructions to patients and significant others; evaluates care for patient outcomes and documents effectiveness.
• Performs variance analysis related to outcome data for performance improvement; designs, implements, and evaluates systems to improve unit care.
• Collaborates with care team members in planning and executing treatment regimens; provides direction to other team members.
• Accurately interprets and implements treatment regimens as prescribed by physicians; assists during treatments and diagnostic procedures.
• Keeps Patient Care Manager/designee and physicians informed of changes in patient condition or treatments; delegates assignments appropriately.
• Performs grade I-IV decubitus care; applies preventive skin care measures, simple dressings, warm/cold compresses, and irrigations.
• Administers medications correctly and safely; identifies medication actions, dosages, side effects, and implications for patients.
• Meets standards on medication administration examinations; educates patients and families on drug and food interactions.
• Participates in patient and family education; explains conditions, records and updates assessment data, and utilizes teaching opportunities.
• Provides early discharge planning and referrals; evaluates teaching effectiveness through patient/family feedback and documents outcomes.

Requirements

• Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred; must be enrolled in an accredited BSN program within two years and obtain a BSN within five years of job entry.
• Current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State required, plus specialized certifications as needed.
• Triage calls experience preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience preferred.
• Gastrointestinal and endocrinology experience preferred.