Provides direct and indirect patient care in the office/clinic setting. Provides care that reflects initiative, flexibility and responsibility indicative of professional expectation with a minimum of supervision. Determines priorities of care based on physical and psychosocial needs, as well as factors influencing patient flow through the system. Communicates with office/clinic physicians about changes in patient's status, symptomatology and results of diagnostic studies. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.

Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients and the general patient population.

Ability to assess and reassess pain and pain management techniques utilized. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.

Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring identifies dysrhythmias Demonstrates knowledge of respiratory monitoring, identifies oxygen needs.

Assists the physician(s) with office procedures; maintains medical and surgical asepsis.

Maintains medical equipment; disinfects and sterilizes instruments.

Answers telephone calls in a professional manner; refers patient problems to office/clinic physician; schedules patient appointments.

Maintains accurate and continued nursing documentation including patient histories, conditions, treatments, responses and assessment of changes.

Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.

Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patients served. Able to interpret data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient's age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.

Interacts professionally with patient and family and involves patient and family in the formation of the plan of care.

Formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; includes family in teaching, as appropriate.

Maintains current knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and his/her clinical condition.

Demonstrates knowledge of lab requirements, requisitions.

Maintains established office/clinic policies and procedures, objectives, performance improvement program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.

Plans and provides nursing care in accordance with physician orders.

Maintains a safe, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients and families in accordance with office/clinic standards.

Ensures an adequate stock of supplies and proper functioning of equipment.

Assists in cost containment through appropriate ordering and conserving of supplies and equipment.

Cooperates with other personnel to achieve office/clinic objectives, maintains good employee relations.

Demonstrates knowledge of healthcare plans, procedural costs.

Demonstrates the ability to assist physicians with procedures in the office/clinic.

Supervises nursing staff when appropriate; orients new staff.

Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings and workshops; shows responsibility for own professional practice and ongoing education.

Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.

Demonstrates awareness of current state, federal and local laws governing the delivery of care.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Demonstrates the ability to deal with pressure to meet deadlines, to be accurate, and to handle constantly changing situations.

Demonstrates the ability to deal with a variety of people, deal with stressful situations, and handle conflict.