LVN-Coumadin Clinic–Georgetown, TX Job in Georgetown 78626, Texas Us
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
EXPERIENCE: Two years’ experience in a cardiology related setting
SKILLS REQ'D: Knowledge of professional nursing theory and practice, especially as it relates to anticoagulation therapy. Ability to apply nursing theory to professional practice. Ability to educate patients and their families. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain relationships with patients, physicians, employees, the public, and other agencies. Ability to operate a computer and develop databases for patient tracking and QA. Ability to perform in potentially stressful, quickly changing, working conditions.
CERTIFICATE
OR LICENSE: Current Texas nursing license and current CPR certification.
FUNCTION: This position is responsible for day-to-day patient care in the Coumadin Clinic.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Assess patients for anticoagulation status. Performs finger sticks. Provides the patient with education and instruction regarding Coumadin dosing.
2. Educates the patient and the patient’s family regarding Coumadin side effects and safety precautions for anticoagulation therapy.
3. Ensures the patient is scheduled for appropriate follow up.
4. Ensures complete and accurate documentation of nursing activities.
5. Identifies patients who fall outside of the protocol guidelines and brings such patients to the attention of the Medical Director and/or to the attention of the individual cardiologist.
OTHER DUTIES
1. Performs professional nursing work related to Coumadin management.
2. Provides telemanagement for patients who are unable to come into the clinic.
3. Ensures appropriate charges for services rendered.
4. Obtains and reviews patient lab results (and/or finger stick) and works under the guidelines of protocol for management of anticoagulation therapy.
5. Helps to develop and update protocols with the Medical Director of the clinic.
6. Participates in the servicing and training of other Austin Heart personnel concerning anticoagulation therapy.
7. Develops and maintains databases for patient tracking, including working with the Research Department to identify and monitor patients for research purposes (if appropriate).
8. Continuously updates skills and information and apprises physicians of new information in the area of anticoagulation therapy.
9. Maintains patient confidentiality.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.
RELATIONSHIPS AND INTERACTIONS:
1. Reports to the Practice Manager and indirectly to Coumadin Clinic Manager.
2. Regularly communicates with patients, physicians, hospitals and other medical providers.
3. Frequent interaction with Coumadin Clinic and other Austin Heart staff.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Requires normal or corrected-to-normal vision, hearing, mobility and finger dexterity. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and be able to mobilize frequently as needed. May require occasional stooping and/or bending, and occasional lifting an carrying items weighing up to 50 lbs. Good communication skills, both verbal and written. Must be capable of operating office equipment, such as computer, fax, telephone, and printers. Must be capable of handling stressful conditions and multiple tasks. May involve potential exposure to clinical hazards such as blood and body fluids, ionizing radiation, etc.
TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
High-paced clinical environment. Moderate stress. Potential exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, ionizing radiation, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a medical environment. Flexible work schedule.
