"Nursing Consultant (U) (0030)"

Employees in this classification are Registered Professional nurses who function in a skilled outpatient environment providing specialized patient care on the Hematology/Oncology specialty area of nursing practice. In addition to providing specialized professional nursing services, employees in this series assist with training related to their area of expertise in the education of residents, medical students, fellows and other allied health professionals. They work under administrative direction from the clinic manager/administrator.

Care Coordination Duties 60%

1. Interviews patient and their families to determine patient/family dynamics, needs, and dentification of any contributing factors to illness; guides other staff member in patient teaching and assists patient's family to participate in patient's teaching plan.
2. 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 furnishing information and teaching.
3. Serves as a clinical resource for Hematology/Oncology personnel.
4. Identifies specialized patient needs and informs appropriate members of the staff.
5. Determines client eligibility for services and care.
6. Interviews patients and/or family members regarding plans for care, which may include hospital visits and coordinates the specific medical and rehabilitative services recommended.
7. Develops and coordinates service plans with may include collaboration among agencies to recruit and organize a network of integrated services.
8. Communicates unmet client needs to responsible parties for appropriate action.
9. Acts as liaison between families and providers to facilitate communication.
10. Advocates for family and client's rights.

Direct Nursing 20%

1. Demonstrates clinical competence in carrying out patient care duties specific to assigned area.
2. Assist physician/nurse practitioner /fellows with clinics including but not limited to: preparing patient for examination, testing and/or explaining procedures/test to patient and family.
3. Obtains complete health and nursing histories for individuals and families who are patients of the clinic. Utilize this information when providing telephone triage, direct care and patient education.
4. Documents the patient history, vital signs and chief complaint in the medical record.
5. Administers medications by appropriate route with consideration for patient safety. Utilize training to prepare and administer immunizations/medications.
6. Screens/triages telephone calls from patients and other customers; answers questions using professional knowledge, expertise, nursing judgement and documents actions in patient chart.
7. Performs laboratory procedures specific to assigned area.
8. Responsible for facilitating efficient patient flow within assigned clinic.
9. Follows established patient safety protocols for monitoring patients before, during and after treatments, utilizing specialized training and is responsible for direction of appropriate response to adverse effects of treatment.
10. Acts as a liaison between healthcare facilities and other specialty agencies.
11. Functions as a primary nurse or back up nurse as directed, depending on the need. Follows direction of primary nurse and physician when functioning as the back-up nurse.
12. Communicates with the call center, patients, and other healthcare professionals in a professional manner.
13. Uses critical thinking skills to triage patient care priorities for patient phone calls and needs.
14. Utilizes and maintains equipment used in the assessment and treatment of patients.
15. Uses critical thinking skills to triage patient care priorities for patient phone calls and needs.
16. Serve as content expert in the clinical setting for Breast cancer and Colon/Rectal cancer for patients and staff.
17. Educating patients and families on current and future care, reviewing medical records, arranging procedures and appointments needed in the outpatient setting to facilitate treatment for disease process, helping with discharge and follow up care needs.

Education 10%

1. Attends in-service classes and other meetings as directed and as deemed necessary.
2. Attends Breast and Colon/Rectal conferences to discuss specialized needs of the patient to ensure seamless care in the outpatient setting.
3. Suggests ideas for in-service training and to improve patient care.
4. Assists with training related to specialty and education of residents, medical student and other allied health professionals.
5. Assist with the development of educational materials for patient education related to specialty.
6. Fulfills all requirements necessary to maintain certification for specialized area of nursing practice required of the position.
7. Counsels family on client's service needs and provides such guidance as necessary.
8. Collects and maintains current information regarding available community resources.

Research Duties 10%

1. Maintains current case records and prepares reports as required.
2. Responsible for maintaining and updating research database with appropriate and accurate information.

Credentials to be Verified by Placement Officer

1. Licensed as a registered professional nurse in the State of Illinois (If an Illinois Resident is licensed as a professional nurse in a state other than Illinois, the applicant must meet the criteria established by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to obtain the proper licensure within five (5) months of the date of appointment.)
2. Bachelor's degree
3. Two years of public health or specialized nursing experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA's)

1. Thorough knowledge of public health nursing
2. Communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
3. Ability to work independently.