• Employment Type: Full Time
• Shift: Days
• Hours: (five eight hour shifts or 4 ten hour shifts M-F)
• Location: Boston, MA

Job Description

We are looking for a nurse with ambulatory experience, preferably in Gastroenterology, who is familiar with working in a tertiary/academic hospital setting to join our fast-paced busy outpatient clinical practice. This RN position will provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to our patient population with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The RN will support clinical triage of IBD patients by responding to EPIC portal messages, patient return phone calls, providing patient and family teaching sessions, and working closely with administrative staff in coordinating visits for the patients. The clinic RN position is five 8 hour shifts or four 10 hour shifts, Monday through Friday with no weekends, no holidays and no on call hours.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responds to messages coming into the practice and triages as needed by phone, in-basket, work queues, etc. Monitors and responds to EPIC and other electronic messages
• Works closely with the medical assistant and office assistants in patient care coordination
• Responsible for educating patients regarding medical management of their disease including medication options, side effects and therapeutic responses to medications. Teaches patients injection techniques and educates them about medications they are using, need for follow-up and side effects about which to notify the provider
• Performs injections (vaccines, B12) as needed
• Collaborates with Medical Assistants, Administrative Assistants, nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians and others to ensure specific treatment plans are implemented and care is coordinated
• Provides and coordinates health teaching which is required by individuals, families and groups to maintain an optimal level of health
• Documents per hospital and regulatory requirements/policies, all aspects of care, including but not limited to, treatments/procedures performed and patient response
• Cross covers as needed under the direction of the RN Manager and Physician collaborator

Professional Performance:

Clinical Practice: The professional registered nurse demonstrates and applies the skill and judgement necessary to implement the nursing plan of care, nursing interventions and procedures necessary for the care of the patient and family based upon critical thinking skills and a spirit of inquiry.

• The plan of care is evidence based and utilizes research when appropriate

• Incorporates new knowledge and strategies to initiate change in nursing care practices
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age appropriate culturally and ethnically sensitive care to all patients and families
• Performs procedures and treatments using nursing knowledge and judgment, according to established unit/practice area guidelines and professional standards
• Safely administers and assesses the patient response to medication utilizing essential knowledge of pharmacology and Hospital and Department Standards of Care
• Maintains clinical competency with respect to technology and utilizes equipment in a safe manner
• Performs as an advocate and as an educator for patients and families

Quality:The professional registered nurse provides high quality in an efficient and a safe manner. The professional nurse utilizes data trends to support and improve clinical practice.

• Participates in hospital and/or unit based patient safety and quality activities and uses principles to support and improve patient outcomes (unit-based, hospital-wide, The Joint Commission, NPSGs, NDNQI, Patient First and other local, state and federal patient safety initiatives
• Participates in performance improvement activities through data collection, analysis and evaluation
• Champion for quality, safety, regulatory, and patient-family satisfaction

Collaboration:Facilitates cooperative and collaborative relationships among the various disciplines and departments to ensure effective quality patient care delivery

• Maintains a collaborative work relationship with peers and colleagues in order to create a positive and professional work environment
• Supports collaboration with nursing colleagues and other disciplines to implement plan of care by participation in nursing, physician, and case management reporting rounds
• Delegates responsibilities to others with an understanding of their roles, knowledge and capabilities

Service Excellence:The professional nurse influences others by establishing a climate for optimal patient care, mutually supportive collegial relationships, and professional development.

• Treats both internal and external customers with courtesy, respect and caring behavior
• Promotes a safe, clean, therapeutic environment for patients, families and staff
• Acknowledges cultural differences that exist among staff and patients
• Identifies customer service needs on the unit
• Presents self in a professional and calm manner
• Provides responsible and efficient use of resources

Professional Development: The professional registered nurse participates in lifelong learning activities that assist in developing and maintaining their continuing competence, enhance their professional practice and support achievement of their career goals.

• The professional registered nurse maintains current licensure and adheres to the Massachusetts Nurse Practice Act
• Assumes responsibility for participating in educational opportunities to support and meet clinical competency requirements
• Seeks out educational and professional resources
• Develops professionally as a self-directed, motivated learner
• May assume charge nurse functions in collaboration with unit leadership
• Seeks out advanced certification opportunities and ongoing education opportunities
• Precepts and mentors newly hired staff and nursing students
• Investigates available technology and resources to apply evidence based practice and research into daily professional activities
• Provides leadership at the bedside as a delegator, collaborator, facilitator, and communicator
• Promotes unit and organizational growth through a shared governance model

Communication:The professional registered nurse seeks out and shares job related information that supports a culture of respect and responsibility.

• Assumes responsibility and ownership for professional conduct
• Accepts responsibility for positive and productive communication skills
• Attends and actively participates in staff meetings. Accepts responsibility for reading staff meeting minutes when not able to attend
• Accepts responsibility for reading emails to keep current with unit and hospital based information

Qualifications

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.
• Ability to provide care for a designated group of patients according to unit guidelines and hospital policies, procedures and protocols.

EDUCATION

• Bachelors Degree required
• BLS Certification required

EXPERIENCE

• Experience working in a tertiary/academic medical center
• Gastroenterology and/or IBD experience preferred
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to prioritize promptly to respond to competing demands within a complex patient population
• Maintain steady communication with other members of the health care team including medical assistants, administrative staff, advanced care practitioners, and physicians

LICENSE

• Current Massachusetts Registered Nurse License

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

COVID-19 POLICY:

Please note that effective October 1, 2021, as a condition of employment at Tufts Medical Center, all employees and new hires must have received their complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have been granted an exemption.