Clinical Nurse Specialist

About the Role

Community Care of West Virginia is seeking a highly skilled Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our team. As a valued member of our staff, you will play a critical role in providing exceptional patient care and contributing to our mission of delivering high-quality healthcare services.

Job Summary

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will be responsible for rendering nursing care in assigned areas, utilizing nursing techniques, procedures, and established standards based on their scope of practice. This includes performing routine administrative and clinical tasks, providing quality care to patients, and supporting CCWV quality initiatives.

Responsibilities/Essential Duties:

• Utilize nursing knowledge and skills in the safe implementation of basic preventative and therapeutic nursing care of assigned patient/family as evidenced by documentation and observation of positive patient care outcomes.
• Perform delegated independent nursing functions using established procedures, policies, guidelines, and standards.
• Contribute to the development of the patient/caregiver plan of care based on the identified patient problems/needs.
• Carry out physician/mid-level provider orders accurately, directly and indirectly.
• Document pertinent observation and intervention on appropriate record.
• Perform selected tasks related to patient care and the patient's environment in a safe manner.
• Administer medication accurately. (Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time and right documentation) Observe patient response, as evidenced by documentation in the medical record and lack of negative outcomes.
• Perform venous blood draws.
• Perform IV insertion. Perform I.V. Therapy procedures according to scope of practice. Administer IV medications as ordered by provider adherent to current standards of care.
• Provides clinical expertise in the management of medical emergencies. Using resources appropriately and in a calm manner. May be called upon to administer medications and intravenous solutions skillfully and correctly.
• Maintain and coordinate communication among patient/caregiver, staff, and provider as evidenced within medical record, client, and health care team feedback.
• Assist in assuring that effective communication exists with patient/caregiver as reflected in the plan of care.
• Effectively communicate patients changing needs and plan of care among staff members.
• Report patient needs/problems and observations regarding patient's condition to the physician/mid-level provider.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the health care team in coordination of the patient's care as evidenced by other department feedback.
• Provide patient/caregiver health teaching as delegated by the Director of Nursing or the Provider.
• Use available written materials specific to patient condition or disease.
• Utilize appropriate teaching methods such as one-on-one and group instruction, demonstration, or discussion
• Document health teaching including patient/caregiver response to and their understanding of health teaching.
• Attend and participate in staff development programs and staff meetings.
• Attend CQM, Nursing, All Staff Meetings and any required training and is responsible for information discussed.
• Places patient in examining room and prepares them for examination. May also assist providers in medical examinations as requested.
• Obtains patient medical history and records vital signs (height, pulse, temperature, visual acuity, weight, and measures blood pressure, head circumference where indicated for patients). Asks and documents responses to patient health, social history questions and appropriate screenings during intake process.
• Evaluate the Social Determinants of Health responses, advise the provider of positives and connect patients to resources according to their need.
• Annotates patient charts with exam and treatment results. Contacts patients with laboratory and specialists' findings and other various tests. Performs accurate and thorough documentation in the patient chart of results and patient outreach.
• Daily equipment checks and disinfection of equipment.
• Clean and sterilize instruments daily and/or after immediate use using Autoclave system. Performs quality checks on the Autoclave to ensure proper working condition and documents findings of regular performance checks.
• Keep stock room neat and orderly and restocks individual examination rooms with standard list of supplies.
• Monitor medication/vaccination inventory and notify Purchasing Department when supplies run low.
• Counsels patients in office and on phone concerning medication refills, medication questions and refill requests. Answers patient clinical calls and questions and directs them to appropriate individuals if unable to answer inquiries.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

The Clinical Nurse Specialist participates in other assigned duties as designated by the Chief Operations Officer. Also perform tasks which are supportive in nature to the essential functions of the job, but which may be altered or redesigned depending upon individual circumstances.

Teamwork:

• Assist in the orientation/training of new staff.
• Consistently work in a positive and cooperative manner with fellow staff members.
• Assist other staff in the performance of their assignments.
• Seek out opportunities to help rather than waiting to be asked.
• Consider the impact of your actions on staff members throughout Community Care of West Virginia, Inc. (CCWV)
• Take direction and initiate actions (cross/additional training) that will allow the assumption of cross-functional duties to ensure seamless patient care.
• Demonstrate flexibility to perform duties at different sites depending on the staffing needs.

Problem Solving:

• Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding abnormal findings or patient concerns.
• Investigate and follow through on unusual orders or requests for service or information.
• Follow proper reporting procedures for actual or potential accidents and/or incidents so follow-up and/or prevention can occur.
• Record/report the need for service maintenance or repair of equipment and remove any faulty equipment from service.
• Consistently evaluate work and determine if further steps are needed to meet expectations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Productivity/ Efficiency:

• Consistently demonstrate ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as prioritizing work as necessary.
• Minimize non-productive time and fill slow periods with activities that will enable you to prepare to meet the future needs of the organization (education, organizing, assisting others).
• Organize job functions and work area to be able to effectively complete varied assignments within established time frames.
• Consistently demonstrate ability to take the initiative to make decisions/choices without direct supervision according to your scope of practice.

Adherence to Departmental Policies:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and ability to reference them from appropriate books, manuals and computer.
• Comply with CCWV's infection control policies and procedures including Body Substance Isolation (BSI) and the Exposure Control Plan which reflects OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to ensure a safe working environment for self and others.

Salary

$65,000 - $80,000 per year

Benefits

Community Care of West Virginia offers a comprehensive benefits package to support the well-being of its employees. This includes Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays, Extended Sick Pay (ESP), Medical Health Insurance and Prescription Coverage, Basic Life Insurance for Employee and Family, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) Voluntary Contribution Plan, Health Reimbursement Account, Employee Elected Voluntary Coverage for Employee and Family, Life Insurance, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Spending Account, Discounted undergraduate & graduate rates at West Virginia Wesleyan College for employee and family.

Education:

An Associate/Bachelor degree from an accredited school of nursing.

Licensure/Certification:

Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of West Virginia, Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, ACLS & PALS.

Experience:

One year experience in medical/surgical nursing, outpatient clinic setting and/or area of specialty preferred.

---