Clinical Nurse

The Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology is seeking a Clinical Nurse to serve as patient advocate as part of a team of nurses, physicians, and medical office staff. The Clinical Nurse will demonstrate responsibility and accountability with patients, family members, other providers and support personnel regarding patient care and/or unit operations.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide clinical support to Gastroenterology and Hepatology physicians.
• Provide direct patient care based on the nursing process; work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary health care team to optimize team performance.
• Ensure patient and physician calls are returned in a timely manner, and all patient interactions are documented appropriately in EPIC.
• Utilize assessment skills and critical thinking to triage patient calls and complaints, responding as needed or forwarding a detailed message to the appropriate physician.
• Answer questions from patients regarding physician instructions, medications, prescription refills, non-critical biopsy and testing results, and/or other aspects of clinical care.
• Retrieve diagnostic results, coordinate physician review of results, and call patients with physician recommendations as trained per orientation.
• Assist physicians in conducting comprehensive, age appropriate and episodic health assessment of patients/families with real, potential, acute and/or chronic health problems, which may include the psychosocial, cognitive and personal assets and limitations of the patient/family with an emphasis on wellness.
• Communicate to the patient the plan of care, pre-procedural education, post-procedural education, any additional follow-up within the department of GI/Hepatology and any necessary referrals outside of the department.
• Assess and/or manages follow-up plans, specific to the age of patient.
• Regularly give effective, complete and accurate instructions regarding good health maintenance including disease prevention and home health care according to department guidelines and under the supervision of a physician.
• Record and document health assessment data necessary to maintain, coordinate and/or expedite required services.
• Act as a resource to health care staff and implements educational programs to improve health status of patients/families, taking into consideration the developmental needs of the patients and families.
• Maintain electronic equipment provided by the division of GI/Hepatology and be responsible for communication with the IT department to discuss any necessary updates and maintenance.
• Maintain needed supplies and equipment. Address operational issues as needed to assure clinic is efficient.
• Triage patient calls and assess patients with urgent problems and/or health concerns that cannot be handled by scheduling/administrative staff and determine appropriate and timely disposition. This includes patients known to the practice and patients who are contacting the practice for the first time.
• Communicate with providers and patients as needed.
• Contact patients to obtain clarification on medication dosing and/or to discuss clinical problems that arise, discuss recommendations with physicians and ensure appropriate follow-up with patients.
• Assist with prior authorization requests for testing/treatments and medications as needed.
• Participate and be flexible within the division of GI/Hepatology (e.g. willingness to cross-train to cover infusion and/or motility testing)
• Request consultations with appropriate departments, when necessary, e.g. emailing patient referrals, calling other departments to facilitate patient care (radiology, pathology).
• Adapt to changes in technology and software to ensure efficient office practice.
• Attend any nursing meetings and mandatory meetings as required
• Remain current in clinical practice by attending relevant continuing education.

• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by the Nurse Manager.

• Registered Nurse, licensed in the State of Maryland or state where practicing. 
• Completion of the JHH credentialing process to include verification of CPR (BLS) certification is required prior to start date.

• Must maintain current licensure and certification during duration of employment.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or related field.

• A minimum of two years of experience providing direct patient care.
• A minimum of two years of specialized experience in Clinical Gastroenterology.

Classified Title: Clinical Nurse  
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/ME  
Starting Salary Range: $64,600 - $113,300 Annually ($84,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F Varies 
FLSA Status: Exempt 
Location: School of Medicine Campus  
Department name: SOM DOM Gastroenterolog  
Personnel area: School of Medicine