The Primary Care Nurse provides comprehensive, patient‑centered nursing care in an outpatient primary care setting. This role supports health promotion, disease prevention, chronic disease management, and care coordination for patients across the lifespan. The nurse works collaboratively with providers and the interdisciplinary team to ensure high‑quality, safe, and efficient care.
Essential Duties and Major responsibilities
- Clinical Care
- Perform patient intake activities including obtaining vital signs, chief complaints, health histories, and medication reconciliation.
- Assist providers during examinations and procedures.
- Administer medications and immunizations per provider for order and evidence‑based guidelines.
- Perform nursing procedures such as wound care, injections, point‑of‑care testing, and specimen collection.
- Monitor and assess patients for acute and chronic physical and mental health conditions. Care Coordination & Population Health
- Support management of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease).
- Coordinate referrals, diagnostic testing, and follow‑up care.
- Participate in care management activities and preventive health initiatives.
- Assist with transitions of care and post‑discharge follow‑up when applicable. Patient Education & Engagement
- Provide patient and family education related to diagnoses, medications, lifestyle changes, and preventive care.
- Promote adherence to treatment plans and encourage patient participation in their care.
- Support health literacy and culturally competent communication.
- Facilitate groups focused on disease prevention, disease management and other health topics Documentation & Compliance
- Accurately document assessments, interventions, and patient education in the electronic health record (EHR).
- Maintain compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and quality measures.
- Participate in quality improvement activities and performance initiatives.
- Collaboration & Communication
- Work collaboratively with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, medical assistants, and administrative staff.
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
- Escalate patient concerns, abnormal findings, or safety issues appropriately.
- Professional Practice
- Maintain required licensure, certifications, and continuing education.
- Uphold standards of professional nursing practice and ethical conduct.
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and team initiatives as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
and Expectations:
- Registered Nurse or License Practical Nurse License
- Work experience equivalent to one year as an RN/LPN in an ambulatory medical office environment preferred
- Currently registered as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its Board of Registration in Nursing
- Bilingual in Spanish and/or Portuguese is a plus
- Computer skills for accurate data entry
- AHA BLS Health Care Provider certification or equivalent
- Required to work at least one evening per week
- Work schedules may need to be adjusted at any point based on organizational needs. This will be done in collaboration with the employee.
- May be asked to change to a different work location based on organizational needs.
- Demonstrated interpersonal relationship skills
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills in English
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced medical office environment
- Demonstrates understanding and commitment to the health center mission
- Demonstrates understanding and commitment to the established CHC Values and Standards
- Performs other job-related duties as required or assigned
Competencies
Individual departments will develop competencies which will be communicated and maintained through CHC’s performance evaluation system.
Supervision Exercised
None. However, may be designated as Nurse of the Day by the Nursing Coordinator and be responsible for providing guidance to the Medical Assistants in order to maintain clinic flow
Environmental Working Conditions
Usual working environment found in outpatient primary care office setting. Exposure to blood products, body fluids, cleaning solutions, and medications.
Physical and Mental Requirements
The physical and mental demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation. Normal visual acuity and standard clerical dexterity to operate computers, printers, photocopiers, and fax machines; moderate walking, standing, reaching, and stooping in order to accomplish everyday office tasks required.
