Outpatient Nurse Job Description
Review this Outpatient Nurse job description for a reference when building your resume. Review the qualifications and requirements listed to get an understanding of what you need to include on your resume for what employers would look for in this field.
SUMMARY:
An Outpatient Nurse, also known as an Ambulatory Care Nurse, is a registered nurse who works in outpatient settings, such as clinics, medical offices, or ambulatory care centers. They provide nursing care to patients who do not require overnight hospitalization, managing a wide range of medical conditions and collaborating with healthcare teams to ensure effective and efficient care.
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FUNCTIONAL DUTIES:
- Patient Assessment:
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients during outpatient visits, obtaining health histories and vital signs.
- Identify and prioritize patient needs based on the nature of the visit.
- Treatment Planning and Coordination:
- Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
- Coordinate care and follow-up appointments for patients.
- Medication Administration:
- Administer medications and injections as prescribed, ensuring patient understanding of medication management.
- Monitor and document medication reactions and side effects.
- Patient Education:
- Educate patients on their medical conditions, treatment plans, and preventive care.
- Provide information on lifestyle modifications and self-management.
- Diagnostic Procedures:
- Assist in diagnostic procedures, such as phlebotomy, EKG, and minor surgical procedures.
- Prepare patients for diagnostic tests and procedures.
- Wound Care:
- Perform wound care and dressing changes as needed.
- Provide instructions on post-procedure wound care for patients to follow at home.
- Health Promotion:
- Promote health and wellness through preventive care measures and health screenings.
- Collaborate with community resources for health education and promotion.
- Telehealth:
- Utilize telehealth platforms for virtual consultations and follow-up appointments.
- Ensure a smooth and effective telehealth experience for patients.
- Documentation:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic health records (EHR) for all outpatient encounters.
- Document assessments, interventions, and patient education.
- Quality Improvement:
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of outpatient care.
- Contribute to the development of protocols and best practices.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) is preferred; Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) accepted.
- Current and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in using electronic health record (EHR) systems.
- Knowledge of outpatient care protocols and ambulatory care best practices.
- Flexibility to adapt to the diverse needs of outpatient populations.
- Commitment to patient-centered care and customer service.
Note: Outpatient Nurse job descriptions may vary based on the specific outpatient setting, such as primary care, specialty clinics, or urgent care.
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