Outpatient RN MS Program - Shepherd Center

Shepherd Center, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain, and other neuromuscular conditions.

Join us in our mission to help people with a temporary or permanent disability, rebuild their lives with hope, independence and dignity, advocating for their full inclusion in all aspects of community life.

At Shepherd Center, you'll discover a diverse and inclusive environment, enlightened leadership, a culture of teamwork, professionalism and mutual respect. If you are seeking career advancement, continuing education opportunities coupled with a welcoming and fun workplace, competitive compensation and employment benefits, visit our careers page to explore current openings.
• The MS Institute RN is responsible for providing nursing care services for patients in a hospital outpatient setting.
• Utilize a collaborative interdisciplinary approach to anticipate, integrate, and coordinate plan of care for patients.
• Serves as a patient/caregiver advocate and acts as a communication link among the internal and external healthcare providers to maintain safe practice and optimize care.

• Utilizes high level of knowledge of Multiple Sclerosis disease process and effectively communicates medical issues with physicians.
• Infuses immunosuppressive, blood (IVIG) products or chemotherapy agents.
• Identifies and manages hypersensitivity reactions to infusion therapy.
• Monitors patient post infusion for reaction and reports to physician/APP for additional care; follows protocol orders for infusion reaction.
• Inserts peripheral intravenous catheters and access and maintains venous access devices (VAD)
• Interprets information from chart prior to treatment, completes assessment and verifies appropriate infusion consent signed and up to date prior to any infusion and utilize nursing judgement that is in line with treatment and physician.
• Identifies and notifies the physician/APP of any contraindications prior to infusion.
• Completes new medication start forms and assists patients and interdisciplinary team with ensuring all required forms are completed and faxed in a timely manner.
• Assess patient's status throughout infusion phases of care:
  • Educational needs
  • cardiovascular system
  • respiratory system and airway management
  • neurological system
  • Hypersensitivity response
  • Urologic function
  • pain and comfort
  • Musculoskeletal safety
• Environmental exposures include, but are not limited to:
  • Exposure to blood-borne and bodily fluid pathogens with blood product administration
  • Cytoxic agents during chemotherapy infusions
• Demonstrates comprehensive nursing assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Verifies medication authorization to ensure appropriate medication dispensing based on insurance requirements prior to reconstitution/administration which includes coordination among Nursing, Pharmacy, Pre-cert, and Patient Access.
• Facilitates scheduling and pre-screening procedures for telehealth appointments for all Providers within the clinic including follow-through for post-visit orders and care coordination.
• Facilitates seamless communication among patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, external case managers with workers compensation, and ancillary departments to ensure comprehensive care coordination.
• Triages requests for same-day or next-day care needs
• Collaborates with Call Center regarding nursing education and care
• Applies acquired knowledge, theory, research and experience to respond to changes in clinical situations.
• Maintains nursing competencies in nursing assessment, nursing procedure, patient and employee safety, and infection control.
• Keeps accurate and complete records of patients' assessments, nursing procedures, medication administration, hospital charges, specimen collection, patient outcomes, education, and adverse events.
• Demonstrates safe operation of patient care equipment, quality control maintenance, and follows policy for reporting and removing unsafe equipment.
• Prepares and administers medications as order with:
  • Aseptic technique
  • Verifying 5 rights of medication administration
  • Correct documentation of medication administration in EHR
• Educates patients/caregivers about medical conditions, medications, infusions, and procedures to be performed using verbal explanations, printed material, and relevant audiovisual aids.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports clinical data as indicated by the pa