Opportunities with Optum in the Tri-State region (formerly CareMount Medical, ProHEALTH New York and Riverside Medical Group). Come make a difference in the lives of people who turn to us for care at one of our hundreds of locations across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Work with state-of-the-art technology and brilliant co-workers who share your passion for helping people feel their best. Join a dynamic health care organization and discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM EST – 5:00 PM EST and every other Saturday 9:00 AM EST – 1:00 PM EST

Primary Responsibilities:

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrates clinical competence in the direct care of patients/significant others in established area of practice, considering developmental differences among patients

• Demonstrates basic knowledge of common disease processes and treatments, including pertinent diagnostic/laboratory testing and medical/nursing interventions; familiar with preventative health measures related to population served

• Demonstrates a proactive approach to patient care, focusing on addressing each patient’s individual and family needs at the time of service; communicates identified needs in a timely manner

• Utilizes evidence-based approaches with patients/families/caregivers to support self-management, self-efficacy, and health-promoting behavior change

• Collaborates with patients/significant others and other members of the healthcare team to establish goals and priorities to meet patients’ immediate and future needs; Actively participates in the care team to ensure that patient needs and preferences are incorporated into the comprehensive plan of care

• Using population-specific knowledge and clinical expertise, contributes to the continual assessment and effective management of the health needs of assigned patient populations

• Performs telephone triage with particular emphasis on assessment, problem/priority identification, and decision-making

• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and technical ability in medication/treatment administration; administers prescribed medications correctly, with knowledge of proper dosage, route, site, and possible side effects

• Provides accurate, up-to-date clinical information to patients consistent with professional nursing scope of practice and accepted Optum practice standards, policies, and protocols

• Uses the nursing process for problem-solving/decision-making

• Performs authorized technical procedures competently (e.g., starting/ monitoring IVs) as may be required in clinical practice area

• Demonstrates clinical competence when assisting MD or other provider with procedures

• Seeks validation/guidance from physician or other provider and nurse colleagues when necessary

• Functions effectively with other healthcare providers during emergency situations

• Understands and practices universal precautions correctly and consistently and complies with all applicable OSHA guidelines

• Ensures that all clinical equipment is maintained in clean, working order

Communication

• Maintains open lines of communication with physicians and other Optum personnel, within and between departments–even during periods of heightened stress

• Maintains open lines of communication with non-Optum physicians, pharmacies, and other community agencies and services

• Notifies patients/significant others and/or reception staff promptly of unanticipated MD/other provider delays or scheduling changes

• Demonstrates effective communication strategies reflective of the needs of all patients, including those from vulnerable populations

• Provides reassurance to patients who are upset and/or in need of assistance or additional information

• Directs and coordinates the work of LPNs, medical assistants, and other assistive personnel to meet identified patient care needs

• Maintains confidentiality of all information obtained from patient records and conversations with patients/significant others, physicians, and other Optum personnel

• Answers telephone promptly (within three rings) and courteously and identifies self by name and department (and physician’s office by physician’s name, if appropriate)

• Uses discretion and sensitivity during all phone conversations

• Uses a non-judgmental approach when talking with patients and coworkers

• Effectively and efficiently triages patient phone calls and schedules same-day (work-in) appointments as per departmental or individual physician guidelines

• Transfers telephone calls only when necessary and as per Optum policy

• Assists patients with referrals and pre-certifications as needed for managed care insurance plans with which Optum participates; communicates potential for additional care coordination with outside organizations and/or providers when identified

• Offers clinical advice to Optum patients according to departmental protocols, individual physician’s or other provider’s instructions, and/or accepted nursing practice

• Uses available electronic mail/computer systems to communicate inter- and intra-departmentally as per departmental and/or Optum protocol(s)

Teaching/Education of Patients/Significant Others

• Uses clinical knowledge and skills to teach patients/significant others effectively (e.g., via written information, face-to-face communication, phone communication)

• Integrates patient and family education, including health promotion/wellness, into the delivery of care

• Continuously evaluates the results of patient education and modifies the teaching plan based on patient outcomes

• Designs and implements educational activities that are culturally appropriate (and consistent with individual physicians’ practice) and are tailored to the patient’s/significant other’s ability to comprehend and participate

• Participates, as requested, in the development of patient-teaching tools/programs for assigned department

Organizational Skills

• Work area reflects neat and organized work habits

• Addresses all patient requests/concerns before end of shift (or notifies patient/significant other of additional time needed to complete request)

• Sets priorities effectively to ensure timely completion of assigned work

• Requests assistance as appropriate in order to complete assigned work and offers to assist others when work load permits

• Prepares and leaves complete, concise messages/instructions for others as needed

• Notifies patients of amount of time needed to address or answer their requests or questions; completes such requests as promptly as possible and/or notifies patient/significant others of anticipated (or unanticipated) delays

• Uses time, supplies, and human resources effectively and efficiently

Documentation

• Takes complete messages for all telephone calls, including but not limited to: correctly spelled full name and current telephone number(s) of caller, date, time, and reason for the call; signs full surname on all messages

• Documents in EHR all pertinent clinical observations, medications/immunizations/treatments given, allergies, etc.

• Maintains legible log or documentation of all telephone calls received, including but not limited to: date and approximate time of call, full name, date of birth (if applicable), and telephone number of caller, as well as reason for call

• Documents pertinent telephone calls and significant nurse-patient interactions in patients’ EHR, including but not limited to: nursing advise or information provided to patients/guardians/significant others (on behalf of patient), medical advice or information provided to patients as directed by physician or other provider, communication with pharmacies, managed care companies, etc.

• Records the full surname of physician or other providers in EHR when documenting information or advice as directed by that physician or other provider

• Signs all entries in medical record according to Optum policy

Leadership

• Demonstrates effective problem-solving skills, particularly when urgent/emergent or unexpected clinical or administrative events arise in order to maintain both the smooth functioning of the department and patient/personnel safety

• Serves as a catalyst for improving standards of nursing practice

• Demonstrates leadership skills through the ability to set and attain goals

• Serves as an effective role model for professional conduct and professional practice (e.g., maintaining composure during times of increased stress)

• Provides direction and support, and delegates tasks to professional and non-professional staff

• Serves as an effective preceptor to new staff as needed

• Effectively performs the duties of charge nurses as needed

• Actively participates in departmental staff meetings

Professionalism

• Demonstrates self-direction, accountability, sound judgment, and ethical behavior in all activities

• Demonstrates patient advocacy

• Maintains a commitment to the spirit of inquiry as evidenced by a clinical knowledge base that remains current and reflects understanding of relevant clinical research findings

• Reads current, clinically applicable professional journals

• Attends mandatory conferences/in services in order to maintain (active) NJ registration, in good standing with the NJ Board of Nursing

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing

• LPN licensed to practice in New Jersey with current NJ registration and in good standing

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current BLS certification

• 2+ years of recent pertinent professional nursing experience in a hospital, medical office, or other clinical setting

• 2+ years as a licensed practical nurse in a pertinent practice area

New Jersey Residents Only: The hourly range for this role is $19.47 to $38.08 per hour. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.