Job Description

Northern Montana Hospital

Senior Connection/Foot Clinic Nurse

   Recognizing of the increasing numbers of aging seniors in Havre and the communities NMHC serves, and their need for assistance with basic foot care; foot care clinics have been set up locally and in outlying communities within our service area.

   Licensed nurses, who have received specialized training by a podiatrist, complete a general health assessment on each client seen with emphasis on conditions that have the potential to impact the circulatory status of the lower extremities.   Good people, leadership and clinical skills are necessary to insure proper assessments, teaching, initial treatment and collaboration with medical and other ancillary staff, and to maintain standards for high quality, safe, appropriate and cost effective care to each client seen.

   Outreach clinic nurses act as a liaison between Northern Montana Health Care, Inc., the geriatric population, other health care providers and support services within the communities that make up our service area.

(Education, License / Registration, Experience, Knowledge and Abilities)

1. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing, geriatric or community health background preferred.
2. Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse currently licensed to practice nursing by the Montana State Board of Nurse Examiners.

3.   Recent geriatric clinical or community health nursing experience.

4.   Knowledge relative to the age of the clients served with an ongoing interest in geriatric care and    

      intervention.

5.   Willingness to attend scheduled educational sessions with Podiatrist and other departmental meetings.

Category classifications have been developed to assist employees in determining their risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.  These categories are:

Category I        Employee will have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine jobs.

Category II     Employee may have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine jobs.

Category III     Employee will not have exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine job.

Scope of practice includes ….

1. Demonstrates knowledge and acceptance of NMHC’s mission and philosophy through compassionate, constructive, and courteous communications with and behavior towards medical staff, visitors, clients, volunteers, and other hospital employees.
2. Utilizes nursing processes in accordance with current nursing standards of practice in order to guarantee that high-quality, safe, and appropriate care is given to all clients.

1. Assessment:

1. Collects a brief client history on all assigned clients at each appointment.
2. Utilizes observational and other assessment skills to assess client’s health status.
3. Obtains additional health data, as appropriate, from other members of the patient care team.

2. Planning:

1. Integrates findings into the development of a foot clinic assessment document.
2. Creates an appropriate plan of care that notes desired outcomes, goals, and appropriate interventions to reach desired goals.

3. Evaluation:

1. Documents pertinent information regarding intervention and client outcomes on the assessment form.
2. Reports critical outcomes to the appropriate staff in a timely manner.
3. Makes appropriate referrals to the podiatrist or general physician for problems identified during assessment or care delivery.
4. Updates the assessment form as needed to reflect changes in client status.

  3.   Quality Improvement:

Participates in the continuous quality improvement process by assisting in establishing nursing standards and thresholds, collecting and assessing data, and planning and implementing changes in nursing process and work design to effect needed improvements.

  4.   Client Education:

1.   A.  Assesses client and/or significant other’s educational needs as part of the nursing process.
2. Integrates learning needs into the plan of care.
3. Utilizes other resources within the NMHC organization or community in general in order to facilitate client education.

  5.   Communication:

1. Utilizes effective verbal skills in communicating with peers, medical staff, clients, their families and supervisors.
2. Utilizes effective written skills with approved terminology and abbreviations in order to document clearly and concisely.
3. Completes assessment forms in their entirety in a timely manner.          

  6.   Research:

1. Participates in utilizing published literature and current research in the review and revision of the unit     standards of care.
2. Participates in the pilot of new client care equipment and supplies.
3. Professional growth and development:
4. Takes responsibility for continuing professional development and education.
5. Regularly attends unit in-services and educational programs.
6. Participates in yearly facility mandatory updates.
7. Maintains current BLS certification.
8. Identifies own learning needs and communicates same to supervisor.
9. Professional decorum:
10. Adheres to Nursing Service dress code.
11. Acts as an advocate of NMHC’s entities and all the services it provides.
12. Conducts self as a professional person in interactions with members of the health care team, clients and significant others.
13. Conducts self as a member of the health care team and accepts responsibility as part of the unit.
14. Productivity, Efficiency, and Safety:
15. Reports for duty as scheduled.
16. Reports on time as scheduled.
17. Uses equipment and supplies effectively and efficiently.  Assures adequate equipment and supplies are available as needed.
18. Completes duties in a timely fashion.
19. Consistently exhibits a positive attitude and sense of teamwork in providing client care.
20. Fulfills additional duties and responsibilities as assigned and as necessary.
21. Maintains open line of communication with immediate supervisor- Director of Senior & Volunteer Services.

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