"Charge Nurse - Decatur (2704)"

The person in this position will furnish full-time clinical duties in the Decatur Multi-specialty Clinic, covering both Internal Medicine providers. This nurse will assist physicians (including faculty, residents, and medical students) in patient care activities requiring specialized nursing skills and will act as the lead nurse in the Decatur DMH campus.

Indirect Patient Care: 50%

• Coordinates care coverage for multiple SIU Department of Internal Medicine clinics in Decatur based on staffing/divisional needs.
• Obtains pre-certifications and referrals for managed care patients.
• Responsible for assisting in the operation of the clinic by maintaining patient information for procedures, education and medical records.
• Serves as a clinical resource to clerical and ancillary personnel.
• Attends in-service classes and other meetings as directed and as deemed necessary; suggests ideas for in-service training and improving patient education.
• Maintains Basic Life Support certification required to perform nursing duties.
• Supervises nursing care delivery ensuring that the patient care delivered benefits the patient and meets the individual physician/nurse practitioner/physician assistant's expectations.
• Monitors the quality of work and services performed by clinical staff. Ensures that functions are performed according to policies and procedures.
• Coordinates orientation and training for new personnel.
• With assistance of the Nurse Administrator, Department administrators, and relevant physician/nurse practitioner/physician assistant(s), interviews and hires clinic personnel to fill vacancies or new positions in the clinic.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of a Quality Assurance Program for the nursing staff and participates in patient care audits.
• Contributes to the development, maintenance, and updating of nursing policies, procedures and standards of care.
• Performs employee evaluations, approves sick/vacation time, assesses need for compensatory time, and participates in the disciplinary process as required.
• Provides oversight, correction, and mitigation of problems that arise in clinic, i.e. misunderstanding between staff members, physicians, and/or patients.
• Conducts regular clinical staff meetings to communicate divisional, departmental, and organizational, changes, projects, and updates.
• Working in conjunction with Department of Internal Medicine, regularly meet with and review any anticipated gaps in clinic coverage or clinic needs.
• Performs other indirect patient duties as assigned.

Direct Patient Care: 50%

• Provides nursing support to physician/nurse practitioner/physician assistant(s).
• Demonstrates clinical competence in carrying out patient care duties specific to assigned area.
• Assists physician/nurse practitioner/physician assistant(s) with clinics including but not limited to: preparing patient for examination, testing, and/or procedures; obtaining vital signs and other pertinent information; scheduling and/or explaining procedures/tests to patient and family.
• Obtains complete health and nursing histories for individuals and families who are patients of the clinic; utilizes this information when providing telephone triaging, direct care and patient education.
• Documents patient's history, vital signs, and chief complaint in medical record.
• Interviews patients and their families to determine patient/family dynamics, needs, and identification of any contributing factors to illness; guides other staff members in patient teaching; and assists patient's family to participate in patient's teaching plan.
• Coordinates follow-up of outpatient services; facilitates scheduling and performance of tests and procedures; provides follow-up care in conjunction with attending physician/nurse practitioner/physician assistant furnishing information and teaching.
• Manages acute and/or episodic minor illness of outpatients, and recommends and initiates treatment as indicated.
• Screens/triages telephone calls from patients and other customers; answers questions using professional knowledge, expertise, and nursing judgement, and documents actions in patient chart.
• Administers medications by appropriate route with consideration for patient safety.
• Performs laboratory procedures specific to assigned area.
• Responsible for facilitating efficient patient flow within assigned clinic.
• Following guidelines/protocols established by physician/nurse practitioner/physician assistant(s), refills medications and documents such in patient chart.
• Identifies specialized patient needs and informs appropriate members of the staff.
• Responsible for and performs any and all LPN/RN functions pertaining to the specialties you are assigned.
• Performs other direct patient care duties as assigned.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

• Licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in Illinois.
• Three years of work experience as a Registered Professional Nurse or 2 years work experience as a Registered Professional Nurse with 1 year of supervisory experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work with others as a member of multiple disciplinary team.
• Problem solving abilities.
• Adaptability
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to function without direct supervision.

About Southern Illinois University - School of Medicine: SIU School of Medicine was established in 1970 with a mission to educate physicians for central and southern Illinois. We are a medical school with four areas of excellence: medical education, patient care, research and community service. SIU School of Medicine provides education to undergraduate medical students, medical and surgical residents, fellows, and physician assistant students. Our clinical practice, SIU Medicine, includes a team of more than 250 health care professionals including university physicians and faculty members who are collectively dedicated to providing excellent medical care, advancement of care through research, and training the next generation of physicians. As the premier provider of health care services, SIU Medicine offers both primary care and specialized treatment services including preventative and diagnostic. SIU works in partnership with hospitals and clinics throughout central and southern Illinois to meet the health care needs of our communities.