Job Description

The Anesthesiology Pain Clinic provides service for chronic pain diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management. The responsibilities of the Nurse Clinician in the Pain Clinic include:

• Administering and monitoring patients receiving moderate sedation during procedures

• Monitoring patients in recovery following procedures with moderate sedation

• Phone triage: including pre and post procedure questions, medication refills, etc.

• Completing Prior Authorizations for medications

• Patient education

• Patient care coordination with physicians and interdisciplinary teams within the clinic and other hospital depts.

  Maintain a safe and clean work environment. Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations. Report deficiencies to supervisor immediately. Assist in rectifying deficiencies as requested. Assume responsibility for and supervision of the appropriate care of medical equipment. Provide pre-attending care for patients. Based on findings, seek solutions and offer opinions to physicians and other health care providers. Document all nursing assessments in the patient’s medical record. Ensure that all documentation is clear, complete and legible. Maintain patient confidentiality at all times. Understand and uphold the protocols and procedures for release of patient/medical information. Perform routine nursing duties and demonstrate clinical competency. Independently perform routine nursing duties including phlebotomy, medication administration, measurement of vital signs, preparation of lab specimens, etc. Demonstrate clinical competency when performing complex specialty-related procedures, including conscious sedation, chemotherapy administration, inseminations, filling and adjustment of implantable pain pumps and excision and drainage of wounds. Ensure that all documentation is clear, complete and legible. Communicate and collaborate with other departments. Communicate and collaborate with other clinical and administrative departments in order to coordinate appropriate patient care, as needed. Communicate with outside agencies or facilities as appropriate. Triage and prioritize incoming telephone calls. Triage and prioritize incoming telephone calls using clinical assessment skills and service standards. Document all assessments the patient medical record as appropriate. Ensure that all documentation is clear, complete and legible. Manage urgent/emergent medical situations as appropriate and in accordance with the organization’s protocols for medical emergencies and cardiac arrests. Obtain and/or operate emergency equipment according to relevant standards. Serve as a resource for staff and physicians for daily problem solving and decision-making. Maintain a consistent alertness to patient care needs and take a proactive approach to address/resolve issues. Delegate appropriate tasks according to Illinois law and organizational protocols to Licensed Practical Nurses and Medical Assistants. Comply with all existing policies and procedures related to patient care. Make recommendations to management regarding new policies and procedures that may improve the patient experience. Assure that new policies and procedures are implemented in a timely manner. Initiate and coordinate patient education. Ensure that patients understand educational materials and can exhibit return demonstration when pertinent. Provide teaching to staff on both a formal and informal basis. Participate in community outreach education, patient support groups or specialty-related educational programs offered to hospital and community nurses, as requested. Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, physicians, management, staff and other customers. Demonstrated customer service skills, including the ability to use appropriate judgment, independent thinking and creativity when resolving customer issues. Ability to effectively handle challenging situations. Ability to balance multiple priorities. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to use personal computers and select software applications. Ability to analyze data for decision making purposes. Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook and database entry. Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality. Ability to adapt to changes in work environment, delays or unexpected events. Demonstrates attention to detail and monitors own work for accuracy. AA/EOE.

Qualifications

REQUIRED: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. 
• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing required. 
• Registered Professional Nurse licensure in the State of Illinois required. 
• Certification in Basic CPR required. 
• 1-2 years experience in ambulatory care required.

Additional Information Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.