(RN) Pulmonary Specialty Clinic Nurse - 140418

UC San Diego Health is proud to be a four-time Magnet-designated organization and has now earned Magnet with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet is the gold standard for nursing excellence, achieved by only about 10% of hospitals worldwide. Magnet with Distinction is awarded to the highest-performing Magnet organizations, with only a select few earning this prestigious honor. This recognition reflects our commitment to transformational leadership, professional nursing excellence, innovation, exceptional patient outcomes, and an empowering practice environment where nurses thrive.

Pulmonary Specialty Clinic Nurse coordinates outpatient clinic care for patients with advanced pulmonary diseases. The clinic is dedicated to providing high-level nursing coordination and comprehensive care management for patients with complex pulmonary conditions. The clinic includes multiple subspecialty programs such as interstitial lung disease, asthma, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, COPD clinic among others all of which are nationally accredited and attract patients from across the country. Key areas of responsibility include direct patient care, patient and family education regarding disease processes and treatments, and coordination of pulmonary subspecialty program activities. Specific duties include triage (telephone, MyChart, and in-person), assisting with provider inbox coverage, scheduling referrals and obtaining outside medical records, ensuring access to routine and specialty medications and durable medical equipment (DME), including oxygen therapy, coordinating prior authorizations, organizing patient education and support activities, advancing research, facilitating multidisciplinary care coordination, and maintaining clinic-specific reports and quality metrics.

The Pulmonary Specialty Clinic Nurse collaborates with physicians and the multidisciplinary care team to provide access to urgent clinical care and advice outside of the clinic setting. The Pulmonary Specialty Clinic Nurse also coordinates with outside clinicians, healthcare teams, vendors, hospitals, and community resources to ensure continued access to specialized pulmonary care. The Pulmonary Specialty Clinic Nurse serves as a key liaison between patients, caregivers, and the healthcare team, promoting continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes.

Autonomous nursing care is the ability of a nurse to assess and provide nursing interventions as appropriate for patient populations based on competence, professional expertise, and clinical knowledge. The nurse is expected to practice autonomously, consistent with ANA Standards of Practice and Professional Performance. Independent judgment is exercised within the context of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care. All performance expectations associated with this position are performed at the PRACTITIONER level.

While not required, a cover letter is highly recommended when applying to this position.

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of Nursing.

• RN License issued by the State of California.

• BLS/CPR and ACLS certification at time of hire with commitment to get ART within six (6) months of hire.

• Three (3) years of directly related experience in a large complex healthcare or clinic setting.

• Experience with scheduling appointments.

• Knowledge of EPIC/Cadence for use in obtaining insurance authorization.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records.

• Knowledge and familiarity with various insurance types and the authorization process.

• Medical terminology, preferably pulmonary medicine.

• Ability to exercise judgment and make decisions with regard to patient needs.

• Knowledge of general office operations and principles. Computer skills and data entry experience, especially with charge entry and scheduling.

• Ability to determine importance of calls and proper area of referral.

• Solid Interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate in a professional manner, both in person and by telephone when dealing with diverse groups of people.

• Organizational skills and ability to process a high volume of work in an accurate and timely manner.

• Able to interpret policies and procedures and apply them. Ability to extract, compile, analyze and effectively present pertinent information.

• Must be able to work independently with limited supervision with ability to analyze situations and develop options and recommendations.

• BSN.
• Knowledge of and experience in a Pulmonary Specialty/ Interstitial lung disease clinic.
• Knowledge of UCSD telephone systems.
• Familiarity with UCSD/Thornton Hospital policies and procedures, facilities, forms and documents.
• Bilingual skills to communicate effectively with patients and families.

• May be required to work at all Pulmonary locations.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
• Selected candidate may be hired at the CNIII level pending review and approval by the Nurse Executive Council.