Urgent Care Lead RN

Fairbanks, AK, US

About the Role

The Lead RN is a member of the nursing leadership team for Urgent Care at Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center. Working with other Lead RNs and the Nurse Manager, this position provides leadership, direct supervision, and training for nursing staff. The Lead RN acts as a charge nurse (shift supervisor) and provides direct patient care as needed, including IV therapy, parenteral medication administration, wound care, patient education, diagnostic studies, and triage of patient concerns. This role supports scheduling, employee performance evaluations, timecard approvals, leave requests, and staff competency verification while adhering to TCC policies. The Lead RN collaborates on quality improvement initiatives and may temporarily act on behalf of the Urgent Care Nurse Manager.

Adhere to the TCC Ch' eghwtsen' model of service and guiding principles, which require providing timely and effective service while interacting with others in a way that inspires trust and demonstrates respect, compassion, and empathy.

Responsibilities

• Supervises a cohort of Staff RNs and CNAs to coordinate care and optimize patient visits, ensuring high-quality, compassionate care in a team-based model.
• Collaborates with other Lead RNs to coordinate nursing staff schedules for Urgent Care.
• Responds to patient complaints during clinic hours, facilitating communication and resolution or escalating concerns as needed.
• Manages patient care and care coordination tasks by monitoring clinical inboxes in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Assists nursing staff with screening, triaging, drawing blood, starting IVs, performing diagnostic studies, administering medications, and responding to emergencies.
• Schedules patient appointments, responds to patient requests at the check-in desk, and ensures timely and appropriate care.
• Performs nurse-only visits under medical standing orders for medication administration, diagnostic studies, patient education, care conferences, and blood pressure checks.
• Informs patients of abnormal test results and documents follow-up actions, reporting to the State Division of Public Health as required.
• Coordinates nursing activities during shifts to ensure efficient patient care operations.
• Works an equal share of weekend shifts (at least one weekend per month) to ensure daily coverage.
• Collaborates with the Urgent Care Nurse Manager and other Lead RNs to ensure program-wide staffing coverage.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Alaska Registered Nurse License.
• Bachelor of Science degree in nursing strongly preferred.
• Five (5) years of clinical experience, preferably in an ambulatory care or public health setting.
• One (1) year of experience as a charge nurse or equivalent clinical manager, or one (1) year of experience working as an RN in TCC’s Urgent Care.
• BLS certification required; ACLS and PALS preferred.
• Must pass a background check pursuant to the Federal Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act and State of Alaska requirements.

Skills

• Ability to assess patients, set priorities, and resolve problems effectively and efficiently.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills for managing workflow and maintaining customer satisfaction.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team, independently, and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Leadership ability demonstrated through education, training, or practical work experience.

Supervision

This position supervises RN, LPN, and CNA staff and may also supervise non-clinical staff. May act on behalf of the Urgent Care Nurse Manager as needed.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds in support of equipment and supplies.
• Requires recurring bending, stooping, kneeling, reading, handling, speaking, hearing, and seeing.
• May require extended periods of standing and periodic lifting of patients, with or without assistance.
• Must be willing and able to travel to remote locations throughout Alaska and nationwide.

Work Environment

• May be exposed to potentially violent patients.
• Potential risk for exposure to contagious diseases and bloodborne pathogens.