About The Role

External Applicants Earn up to $5,000 Sign on Bonus!

Help patients get the medications they need—without the roadblocks. We’re seeking an experienced nurse with specialty/ambulatory care experience and a strong background in medication prior authorizations, biologics, and specialty therapies . You’ll coordinate the full medication-access process—from PA submission, denials and appeals to specialty pharmacy coordination, insurance requirements, and patient assistance programs—working closely with providers, patients, payers, and pharmacies to keep treatment moving.

Ideal candidates bring

Specialty or gastroenterology nursing experience
Hands-on experience with biologic/high-cost medications and prior authorizations
Knowledge of denials, appeals, peer-to-peers, formulary and step-therapy requirements
Experience working with PBMs, specialty pharmacies, and insurance plans
Familiarity with EHR medication workflows and CoverMyMeds
A proven ability to track medication access from initial request through approval and treatment

Work Shift

Day

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40 Summary

This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by presenting excellent customer service and enables the facilitation of positive patient outcomes by providing nursing support to a Mercy provider.

Job Description

Job Duties

Prepares the progress note for the patient visit by manually bringing in provider-built EPIC documentation tools for the following sections: history of present illness, review of system, physical exam, assessment and plan. Ensures health maintenance section (including quality reporting measures) and immunizations are up to date.
Rooms and prepares the patient for examination. This includes reviewing histories, allergies, medications, reason for visit and taking vitals.
Per established standing orders of provider, orders/administers injections, orders/collects specimens for lab testing (ex. Rapid strep tests) and performs phlebotomy as needed. Provides test results as directed by Provider.
Populates patient-reported information into provider-built EPIC documentation tools for the specific disease states and preventative visits.
Communicates a summary of the patient-reported information to the provider prior to entry of the room or within the room with the patient present.
Accurately and thoroughly documents the encounter with the patient as it is being performed by the provider, which may include documentation in the following sections: problem list, history of present illness, review of systems, physical exam, assessment and plan, procedures and treatments performed by team, patient education, orders, medications, referrals, explanations of risks and benefits, and instructions for self-care and follow-up.
Identify the portions of the encounter that were scribed on behalf of the provider using the scribe signature per policy.
Provides patient instruction using pre-approved patient education materials specific to the chief complaint or for the health promotion of observed behaviors known to contribute to poor health, as directed by the provider.
Prints after visit summary and completes discharge of patient from exam room. This may include scheduling a follow-up appointment, providing referral information or scheduling patients for testing procedures and providing instructions.
Manages phone calls to patients regarding test/lab results and provides appropriate instruction for treatment, as directed by the provider.
Processes medication requests/changes/refills per established written protocols. This includes having knowledge of medications, including basic dosages, side effects and interactions.
Provides assistance with diagnostic procedures (ex. EKGs) and treatments (ex. Nebulizer treatments) as directed by the provider. This includes obtaining specimens, labeling and disposition to the laboratory and explaining diagnostic procedures to patient as needed.
Prepares the exam and treatment rooms, including instrument, supplies and protective devices for exam and testing.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.

Department Specific Duties

Mercy Gynecology Oncology

Assist with in-office procedures as directed by the provider.
Schedule procedures to be performed in the OR.
Obtains and reviews medical records prior to patient visits to ensure provider has appropriate history available.
Provide cross coverage for staff roles within the clinic in support of a unified team approach.

Mercy Plastic Surgery Clinic

Provides assistance with in-office procedures as directed by the provider.
Assists with management of post-surgical wounds.
Provides injections of neurotoxins and fillers.
Schedules procedures to be performed in the operating room.

Surgical Oncology

Provides assistance with in-office procedures (biopsies, wide local excisions, etc.) as directed by the provider.
Schedules procedures to be performed in the operating room (coordinating OR, Anesthesia and assisting providers as directed).

Gastroenterology Clinic

Maintains on-site sample medications according to Mercy's policies and procedures.
Administers injections as needed.
Reviews medical records prior to patient visits to ensure physician/provider has appropriate history to see the patient, if not, facilitates receipt of documentation, testing results, and imaging.
Provide clinical scribe coverage as needed.
Communicate test results and medication changes to patients.
Provides coverage for other nursing staff if/when needed.

Neurosurgery Clinic

Completes discharge of patient from exam room. This may include written instructions, scheduling a follow-up appointment, providing referral information or scheduling patients for testing procedures and providing instructions.
Provides clinical scribe coverage as needed.
Maintains and stocks supplies.
Surgery scheduler to assist with coordinating operating room procedures to include scheduling pre-op clearances, labs, imaging, and pre-op orders.
Facilitates the management of the provider surgery schedules.
Provides patient education as needed for pre-op care.
Reviews patient charts to ensure eligibility for surgery.
Maintains scheduling/cancellation spreadsheets .

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Excellent communication and customer service skills, computer skills, organization, time management, attention to detail and the ability to remain poised and efficient in a fast-paced environment.

Professional Experience

Previous experience in a medical office setting preferred.

Education

Education sufficient to obtain RN licensure required.

Licensure, Certification, Registration

Current license to practice as registered nurse in the state of Iowa or compact state required.
Current certification in Basic Life Support, in accordance with the American Heart Association required.
Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse & Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training required. Employee must submit certification of completed training to Human Resources prior to start or transfer date.

Physical Requirements

Medium:Ability to administer CPR
Able to push and pull of up to 25# of horizontal force on occasional basis and push and pull up to 40# of horizontal force on rare basis.
All lifting over 50# should be performed with team lifts.
Must be able to lift up to 50# on occasional basis to assist with patient transfers.

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Mercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.

Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.