Purpose
The Primary Care Registered Nurse works in partnership and joint accountability within an interdisciplinary team to achieve Neighborcare’s Mission, Guiding Principles and goals. The primary focus of the RN is to optimize the health status of patients across the lifespan through working in partnership and joint accountability, patient education, emergent triage, and performing complex procedures. RNs build relationships with their patients through face-to-face, virtual, and telephonic care and work in partnership with other care team members to meet the needs of patients throughout Neighborcare Health. The RN follows the Nursing Process to assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care in an outpatient clinic setting.
Health, Wellness & Retirement benefits:
- Medical, dental & vision insurance
- Paid time off & paid holidays
- Retirement with contribution match
- Life & AD&D, pet insurance
- Employee assistance program, & more!
Union: SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
Compensation:
- The target wage range for the position is $38.71 per hour to $47.88 per hour.
- Final offers are individually based on various factors, including skill set, years of experience, location, qualifications, work schedule and other job-related reasons.
- $5,000 Sign-on Bonus!
In this position you will:
Working in Partnership and Joint Accountability
- Provide care to patients in the outpatient clinic setting as part of Neighborcare’s nursing team, maintaining shared accountability with the clinic team and the medical program as a whole.
- Collaborate with team members and leaders to define and reassess priorities, and to plan, communicate, and execute patient care.
- Participate in quality and performance improvement initiatives to improve patient outcomes.
- Serve as a preceptor for new staff and/or students completing clinical rotations at Neighborcare.
Patient Care & Health Management
- Partner with patients and families in person, virtually, and by phone to support optimal health outcomes.
- Identify patient goals for improving health status and managing chronic physical and mental health conditions.
- Apply the nursing process (assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate) to meet patient needs.
- Assess patient understanding of their condition and readiness for behavior change.
- Deliver wound care, foot care, chronic disease management, and ongoing injections.
- Monitor, track, and follow up to ensure care needs are met.
- Apply Neighborcare Health guidelines, standing orders, and evidence-based clinical practices.
Patient Education
- Provide education across the lifespan.
- Identify barriers to learning and tailor education to patients’ individual needs and learning styles.
- Educate patients on medications, abnormal lab results, and management of acute and chronic conditions.
- Promote preventive care and wellness strategies.
- Use motivational interviewing and harm reduction counseling to support patient-centered care.
Triage & Clinical Procedures
- Respond to emergent health issues in person and by phone; provide assessment, advice, first aid, and Basic Life Support as needed.
- Perform clinical procedures within RN licensure and individual competency, which may include wound care, foot care, IM injections, IV insertion and administration of fluids/medications, and urinary catheter insertion/removal.
- Administer injections and medications per standing orders and protocols.
Triage and Advice Registered Nurse
- Work remotely or can request a location at a Neighborcare location receiving incoming calls from patients as directed by call center and contacting patients identified for triage.
- Conduct telephone triage using standardized protocols and clinical judgment to assess patient symptoms and determine appropriate disposition (self-care, urgent/same-day visit, ER/911, etc.).
- Provide education and reassurance to patients and families regarding acute health concerns.
- Document triage encounters promptly and accurately in the electronic health record.
- Collaborate with providers and clinic staff to facilitate timely access to care.
- Escalate high-risk or complex cases to providers as appropriate.
- Address and manage patient messages (MyChart, call center, Inbasket pools) within designated timeframes.
Family Practice/Medicine Registered Nurse
- Rotate between clinics, programs, and patient populations based on organizational needs and training. Assignments will be made by the Nurse Manager.
- Provide anticipatory guidance and education to families regarding development, preventive care, and wellness.
- Support families with multiple members receiving primary care by aligning care plans and facilitating communication.
- Work closely with providers to support all ages and all health needs.
- Participate in activities to support preventive care and family health.
- Provide hands-on nursing care including wound care, foot care, and controlled substance injections.
- Partner with Care Management RNs to provide in-person care to identified patients.
Required Skills:
Clinical Knowledge & Skills
- Knowledge and understanding of a broad range of physical and mental health conditions across the lifespan.
- Knowledge, skill, and ability to provide condition- and population-specific education and coaching, including but not limited to wound care, foot care, and injections.
- Knowledge of medical terminology and clinical procedures; anatomy, physiology, biology, human growth and development; asepsis and universal precautions; medical documentation.
- Ability to start and operate emergency equipment, perform CPR, provide basic first aid, and respond professionally in emergent situations.
- Ability to demonstrate sound clinical judgment and work resourcefully and independently in the absence of detailed instructions.
- Ability to self-assess knowledge and nursing skill and continuously develop clinical expertise through Neighborcare Health and community-based continuing education.
Patient & Interpersonal Skills
- Ability to work effectively with patients and communicate respectfully with individuals from varied cultures, languages (including through interpreters), educational and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as individuals with disabilities and contagious diseases.
- Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team, interact appropriately with co-workers and patients, and develop and maintain rapport with a wide range of individuals.
- Ability to comply with HIPAA/Confidentiality policies and handle confidential and sensitive patient and staff information.
- Skills in written and verbal communication in English and basic math.
Professional & Technical Attributes
- Ability to demonstrate reliable and timely attendance.
- Willingness to travel to clinic with the most need based on Nurse Manager staffing.
- Ability to demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, willingness, and openness to learn and change.
- Ability to follow written and verbal directions and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
- Ability to work with supervision, receiving instructions/feedback, coaching/counseling and/or action/discipline, and learn from directions, observations, and mistakes.
Preferred Skills:
- Skills in Motivational Interviewing and application of a harm reduction model
- Skills in care for chronic wounds, including conservative sharp debridement
- Knowledge of unique health needs of specific patient populations pertinent to the role/site
- Knowledge of community resources
Education/Experience Requirements:
- Completion of an accredited RN program
- Valid Washington State Registered Nurse license
- BLS certificate
Preferred Requirements:
- BSN desirable
- 1+ years RN experience in a primary care, hospital and/or home care setting or comparable social service setting
- Board Certification in applicable specialty areas
About Neighborcare Health:
Since 1968, Neighborcare Health has been removing barriers to health care for our neighbors. We believe everyone deserves a place to call their health care home, where a team of medical, dental and mental health professionals work in collaboration with each patient to develop a personal health improvement plan.
We are one of the largest providers of primary medical, dental and behavioral health care services in the Seattle area serving low-income and uninsured families and individuals, seniors on fixed incomes, immigrants, and people experiencing homelessness. Each year we care for nearly 60,000 patients at our nearly 30 non-profit medical, dental and school-based clinics. We ask everyone to pay what they can, but no one is turned away due to inability to pay.
Our clinics are located in neighborhoods where health disparities are the greatest, and our care teams, who speak over 55 languages and dialects, are as diverse as our patients. No matter who you are, or where you come from, regardless of your insurance, income or immigration status, you are welcome at Neighborcare Health.
Learn more about us here.
The full job description is available upon request
