Clinical Nurse Manager at Ear Nose & Throat Specialties PC – Lincoln, Nebraska

The Clinic Nurse Manager provides clinical leadership and operational oversight for the clinic nursing department, including Allergy Nurses, Triage Nurses, RNs, LPNs, and Medical Assistants (MAs). This role also serves as a Triage Nurse as the primary day-to-day responsibility, ensuring timely, protocol-driven assessment, documentation, escalation, and follow-up for patient calls and clinical messages. The Clinic Nurse Manager ensures the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care through effective leadership, coordination, and performance management across clinical service lines. The Clinic Nurse Manager supports daily clinic operations, patient flow optimization, compliance with regulatory standards, and staff development, in collaboration with providers and clinic leadership.

Leadership and Supervision

· Provide leadership, supervision, and support for the clinic nursing department, including Allergy RNs, Triage RNs, clinic LPNs/MAs, to ensure safe, effective, and efficient patient care delivery.

· Oversee daily staffing assignments and workload balancing across nursing roles to optimize clinical flow, patient access, and coverage of specialty areas (including allergy services).

· Directly oversee Triage Nurses, including scheduling, daily direction, coaching, competency validation, and maintaining standardized triage protocols and workflows.

· Lead regular team huddles, 1:1 check-ins, coaching, and annual performance evaluations; provide feedback and corrective action as appropriate.

· Foster a positive work environment that supports staff engagement, accountability, retention, and professional growth.

· Serve as the primary point of escalation for nursing staff concerns, clinical workflow issues, and patient care-related events requiring leadership involvement.

Primary Triage Responsibilities and Clinical Oversight

· Serve as a Triage Nurse as the primary day-to-day responsibility, assessing patient symptoms and needs using established clinical protocols and ensuring timely guidance, documentation, and follow-up.

· Receive and return patient calls; gather pertinent history, symptom details, and risk factors; and determine appropriate disposition (home care, same-day appointment, referral, or emergency care) based on established protocols.

· Document triage encounters thoroughly and accurately in the EHR, including assessment, advice provided, disposition, provider notifications, and follow-up instructions.

· Prioritize and route patient messages, portal requests, and provider tasks appropriately; ensure timely completion and closed-loop communication.

· Identify urgent symptoms and red flags; provide clear emergency guidance (e.g., activate EMS/ED direction when indicated) and escalate to the provider per protocol.

· Support test result workflows by reviewing results as directed, coordinating provider review, communicating results and instructions to patients, and arranging follow-up care.

· Manage medication refill requests and clinical questions in accordance with clinic protocols and provider direction, ensuring appropriate documentation and follow-up.

· Provide patient education by phone regarding symptoms, treatment plans, medications, procedures, and allergy-related services; reinforce provider instructions and ensure understanding.

· Coordinate with Allergy Nurses, RNs, LPNs, MAs, and providers to ensure triage follow-up is completed, appointments are scheduled when needed, and outstanding items are tracked to resolution.

· Provide direct oversight and daily support to Triage Nurses; standardize call handling, message routing, and escalation pathways to ensure timely, appropriate response.

· Collaborate with providers on complex clinical cases, care coordination, allergy-related services, and patient follow-up to support continuity of care.

· Monitor adherence to clinical documentation standards, HIPAA, and nursing protocols; address gaps through training and coaching.

· Provide additional direct patient care support (outside of triage) as needed during high volume, staffing gaps, or patient safety concerns.

Operational and Administrative Responsibilities

· Oversee clinic nursing workflows including rooming, patient preparation, procedures, testing, allergy services, and provider support to ensure consistent standards of care.

· Partner with scheduling and front desk teams to optimize patient flow, reduce wait times, and improve patient access across clinical services.

· Monitor staffing levels, build and approve schedules, and coordinate coverage for PTO, sick calls, onboarding, and training to maintain safe staffing.

· Develop, implement, and maintain nursing policies, procedures, and clinical protocols in collaboration with clinic leadership and providers.

· Oversee nursing supply utilization, inventory needs, and equipment readiness to ensure resources are available, maintained, and used appropriately.

Compliance, Quality, and Safety

· Ensure all nursing activities comply with federal, state, and clinic regulations including OSHA, HIPAA, and infection control standards.

· Participate in quality improvement initiatives, audits, and incident reviews.

· Maintain competency records, continuing education documentation, and ensure staff certifications remain current.

· Support implementation of evidence-based best practices and clinical guidelines.

Education and Staff Development

· Onboard, train, and mentor new nursing team members.

· Identify learning gaps and coordinate in-services, skills labs, and continuing education opportunities.

· Promote a culture of professional growth, accountability, and high performance.

· Support staff in meeting competency checklists and orientation requirements.

Patient and Provider Support

· Ensure patients receive timely education and support regarding their conditions, procedures, and treatment plans.

· Monitor and resolve patient concerns escalated from nursing staff.

· Work closely with providers to anticipate and address clinical needs to enhance clinic efficiency and patient satisfaction.

SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

Required Skills

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills to conduct telephone triage, communicate clinical guidance clearly, and collaborate effectively with providers and staff.

· Strong clinical judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making to prioritize symptoms, identify red flags, and escalate appropriately.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced clinic environment, balancing triage demands with leadership and operational responsibilities.

· High attention to detail to ensure accurate documentation, message handling, and follow-through within the EHR and communication systems.

· Proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems, telephone triage documentation, and clinical messaging workflows.

· Ability to remain calm, professional, and patient-focused while addressing urgent needs, difficult calls, and escalations.

· Strong organizational and leadership skills, including coaching, delegation, and accountability, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Qualifications

· Current RN license in the State of Nebraska.

· Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification required.

· Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing; BSN preferred.

· Minimum 3 years of clinical nursing experience, preferably in a busy outpatient clinic setting (e.g., ENT, E.R., Pediatrics, or specialty care).

· Prior supervisory, charge nurse, or nurse management experience required.

· Demonstrated telephone triage experience required, including use of clinical protocols, documentation standards, and appropriate escalation; must be able to oversee and support Triage Nurses.

· Strong understanding of medical terminology, procedures, and medications.

Knowledge of medical laws and regulations, including HIPAA and patient privacy laws.