LPN II, Adherence

Assists physicians with patient care in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, primarily as Treatment and Medication Adherence Nurse.

Adherence/Clinical Responsibilities

Meet and follow-up with all newly diagnosed patients starting ARV or regime change

• Meet with patients who do not have an undetectable viral load

• Virginia Department of Health (VDH) point of contact for completion of AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) applications and semi-annual certifications for entire Ryan White population

• Must be knowledgeable of medication formularies of ADAP and various insurance plans and able to navigate systems to ensure patient access

• Assist patients with pharmaceutical support programs as needed

• Assist with pre-authorization of medications and facilitate obtaining medications in a timely manner to avoid an adverse impact to patient health

• Monitor adherence with effective records and documentation

• Document nursing care and patient status in accordance with nursing procedures

• Meet with clients referred from providers, or case managers

• Engage in problem solving with clients to address adherence problems

Educate

• Responsible for patient education about ARV's

• Participate in patient teaching according to the patient's needs and plan of care

• Participate in continuing HIV/AIDS education programs and meetings

• Assist with the development and maintenance of patient education handouts about HIV care

Assist patients/clients to:

• Provide goal directed education and emotional support and help patients build health promotion skills that support positive behaviors with medication and appointment adherence

• Understand and move through the various stages of commitment to their care

• Navigate the service system and provide access to services

• Participate in their care and treatment

• Develop a plan to incorporate health care and medication adherence into daily life

• Work with patients to formulate a plan to overcome barriers and facilitators to adherence

• Address specific concerns of patients about health care appointment adherence

Teamwork

• Assist program and care team (Case managers, peer educators) to communicate adherence message to patients

• Act as liaison between patients and case managers when needed

• Assist with medication reconciliation via the HER

• To provide support and resource to nursing staff

• Assist with adherence support at the Ryan White satellite clinics

• Contributes to an effective and efficient practice environment

• Utilizes standard precautions including personal protective equipment in delivery of care

• Demonstrates competency in delivery of care that is culturally competent and age specific to meet the needs of the client

• Facilitates the renewal of medications through communication with the providers.

• Informs patients of lab results and diagnostic testing as requested by providers.

• Work with administration and physician leadership to develop effective strategies for keeping patients in care according to HRSA guidelines. This includes follow-up on patients who have been lost to follow-up, or those that have repeated no shows or cancellations for scheduled visits.

• Work with providers on innovative plans to rapidly start patients in care and keep patients in care utilizing strategies such as the "rapid access clinic", the weekly "walk-in clinic" and telemedicine.

• Demonstrates competent practice and engages in opportunities for clinical growth

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Completion of a program of instruction for licensure as a Practical Nurse required.

• Must be a licensed LPN in Virginia.

• Prior experience strongly recommended in HIV/sexually transmitted diseases and knowledge of HIV (antiretroviral) medications and treatments.

• Knowledge of medical terminology, ICD9/CPT Coding and prescription drug processes (generic vs. brand name and dosing methodology).

• Knowledge of patient enrollment and eligibility processes.

• Completion of BLS Class and re-certify every 2 years.