Per Diem Health Center RN / LPN in Newport, Vermont at NORTHERN COUNTIES HEALTH CARE INC

Care for your community while making a lasting impact.
As part of our Health Center Nursing Staff, you'll join a collaborative team committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals and families across every stage of life. Through meaningful relationships, care coordination, patient education, and clinical excellence, you'll help improve health outcomes while supporting our mission to strengthen the communities we serve.

We're seeking either a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) to join our team. Candidates with either license are encouraged to apply. Responsibilities may be adjusted based on licensure, experience, and scope of practice.

Job Summary:

The Health Center Nurse (LPN/RN) is an integral member of the primary care team, providing compassionate, high-quality, patient-centered care to individuals across diverse patient populations. The Health Center Nurse (LPN/RN) is responsible to the Practice Manager and works under the daily direction and clinical oversight of the provider staff. As an integral member of the healthcare team, the Health Center Nurse provides compassionate, high-quality, patient-centered care to individuals across diverse patient populations. Responsibilities include patient assessment, care coordination, medication administration, health education, chronic disease management, preventative care, and assisting with various aspects of patient care within the nurse's scope of practice. The Health Center Nurse collaborates closely with providers and other team members to promote the overall health and well-being of the patients and communities served.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

• PATIENT CARE
  • Intake
    • Coordinate with office staff in monitoring and adjusting scheduling and workload of providers to insure the smooth flow of patients.
    • Interview patients for health history and clinical information updates.
    • Contributes to the assessment of patients through the collection of data using established protocols, procedures, forms or guidelines.
    • Take patient vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc.).
  • Treatment and Procedures
    • Apply and change dressings/bandages.
    • Administer IM, SQ, intradermal, and inhaled medications and vaccines.
    • Administer allergy injections, as per local site protocols.
    • Perform catheterization per provider orders and within the scope of health center protocols.
    • Conduct vision screening.
    • Conduct audiometry screening.
    • Perform EKG’s (if provided on site).
    • Assist in suturing procedures.
    • Other procedures as per health center protocols, for example starting IV’s, and responding to Code Blue/defib needs.
  • Health Education/Teaching
    • Instruct patients about treatment regimens (medication, diet, activity, etc.).
    • Provide education and instruction on issues of health maintenance.
    • Participate in the development and implementation of community health education initiatives (screening clinics, public information forums, etc.).
  • LABORATORY
    • Testing
      • Perform laboratory tests as per health center protocols.
      • Record tests and results in appropriate EMR.
    • Phlebotomy
      • Draw and prepare specimens for in-house or outside laboratory testing.
  • PHARMACEUTICALS
    • Dispensing
      • Dispense pharmaceuticals as per provider orders and in accordance with health center, NCHC, Vermont, and Federal guidelines.
      • Monitor inventory levels and outdates of on-site pharmaceutical supplies.
  • RECORDS
    • Medical Records
      • Document nursing activities and relevant patient care information in medical records as per health center protocols.
  • Tracking Systems
    • Record and maintain records and statistics (e.g. immunizations, perinatal data, etc.) as per protocols or request.
• INFECTION CONTROL
  • Instrument Sterilization
    • Clean and sterilize instruments.
    • General office infection control.
• QUALITY ASSURANCE
  • Participate in the development, implementation, audit, and continuous evaluation and improvement of protocols, services and programs provided by the health center.
• OTHER
  • It is expected that you will meet the productivity standards that are set forth by your Supervisor and/or NCHC Division protocols.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Position Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited LPN or RN program
• Licensed in the State of Vermont.
• Provider-level CPR/BLS required.
• Minimum one-year experience in a community health center, medical office, or similar setting.
• Familiarity with public health and community health issues.
• Knowledge of disease processes and treatments.
• Knowledge of medications and their effects/side effects.
• Effective communication skills with patients of all ages.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Skilled in multitasking and managing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Able to perform basic medical office lab tests.
• Proficient in written and verbal communication.
• Computer proficiency, including email, spreadsheets, word processing, and EMRs.
• High level of confidentiality required.
• Physically able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand/walk for extended periods.
• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination required.
• Exposure to bodily fluids and communicable diseases expected.
• Must be able to work under stress and in emergency situations during irregular hours.