Career Center

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Registered Nurse or RN provides professional nursing care to patients/significant others via direct and/or telephone contact, following established standards and practices.  S/he coordinates with other members of the care team to ensure seamless care delivery, maximal coordination of efforts, and active patient participation in planning and care. Assists physician or other provider with clinical procedures, performs telephone triage as needed, and participates in patient teaching.

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 CareMount Medical practice standards, policies, and protocols
• Uses the nursing process for problem-solving/decision-making
• Performs authorized technical procedures competently (e.g., EKG, phlebotomy, starting/ monitoring IVs, selected laboratory tests, etc.) 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 CareMount Medical personnel, within and between departments--even during periods of heightened stress
• Maintains open lines of communication with non-CareMount Medical 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 CareMount Medical 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 CareMount Medical policy
• Assists patients with referrals and pre-certifications as needed for managed care insurance plans with which CareMount Medical participates; communicates potential for additional care coordination with outside organizations and/or providers when identified   
• Offers clinical advice to CareMount Medical 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 CareMount Medical 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
• Suggests and/or facilitates referrals (e.g., to Department of Social Services, dietitian, hospice) as applicable
• 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 CareMount Medical 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
• Participates in professional conferences, workshops, continuing education programs, and/or pertinent professional organizations (e.g., American Association of Office Nurses, American Nurses Association/New York State Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau, American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners [NAPNAP], etc.)
• Reads current, clinically applicable professional journals
• Attends mandatory conferences/in services in order to maintain (active) NYS registration, in good standing with the NY State Education Department

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
• Registered nurse licensed to practice in New York State (NYS) with current NYS registration and in good standing
• Full COVID-19 vaccination is an essential job function of this role. Candidates located in states that mandate COVID-19 booster doses must also comply with those state requirements. UnitedHealth Group will adhere to all federal, state and local regulations as well as all client requirements and will obtain necessary proof of vaccination, and boosters when applicable, prior to employment to ensure compliance. Candidates must be able to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
• Current BLS certification
• 2+years of recent pertinent professional nursing experience in a hospital, medical office, or other clinical setting
• 1+ years of experience as a registered nurse or 2+ years as a licensed practical nurse in a pertinent practice area

Careers at OptumCare. We're on a mission to change the face of health care. As the largest health and wellness business in the US, we help 58 million people navigate the health care system, finance their health care needs and achieve their health and well-being goals. Fortunately, we have a team of the best and brightest minds on the planet to make it happen. Together we're creating the most innovative ideas and comprehensive strategies to help heal the health care system and create a brighter future for us all. Join us and learn why there is no better place to do your life's best work.(sm)

OptumCare is committed to creating an environment where physicians focus on what they do best: care for their patients. To do so, OptumCare provides administrative and business support services to both owned and affiliated medical practices which are part of OptumCare. Each medical practice part and their physician employees have complete authority with regards to all medical decision-making and patient care. OptumCare’s support services do not interfere with or control the practice of medicine by the medical practices or any of their physicians.

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: OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers 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.

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