Registered Nurse - Otolaryngology

The Clinical Nurse/Registered Nurse utilizes the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation to provide safe, therapeutic, patient-centered care in the outpatient setting. As an integral member of the interdisciplinary healthcare and nursing teams, the Clinical Nurse performs established nursing procedures, coordinates patient care, and supports patients with complex clinical needs.

The Clinical Nurse is responsible for maintaining the knowledge, clinical judgment, and competencies necessary to perform assigned responsibilities and practices within the legal scope of the California Nurse Practice Act. The position is accountable to the Nurse Manager for overall work performance.

This position supports adult and pediatric patients in outpatient clinical settings across UCSF Health locations, which may include Parnassus, Mount Zion, Bayfront, satellite clinics, UCSF Health partnerships, and other off-site locations where UCSF faculty provide care.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Support and Patient Care 

• Perform telephone triage and manage patient in-basket messages, assessing clinical concerns and coordinating appropriate follow-up.
• Respond to urgent-line calls and provide timely, accurate clinical guidance within the RN scope of practice.
• Provide nursing support for patients with routine and complex clinical needs, including urgent or emergent situations that arise in the outpatient setting.
• Conduct nurse-only visits, including immunizations, medication-related education, and other patient education. Examples may include education related to Dupixent, Emgality, and mastoid powder.
• Assist providers with in-clinic procedures and other patient-care activities as needed.
• Room patients and provide clinical coverage during staffing shortages, breaks, or other operational needs for Medical Assistants and Licensed Vocational Nurses.
• Coordinate patient care with physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing colleagues, and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Assist with the management and coordination of care delivered by other members of the nursing team.
• Provide cross-coverage across Otolaryngology subspecialties and clinical locations based on operational and patient-care needs.

Technical and Procedural Support 

• Support clinical procedures and coordinate the transport and processing of scopes and instruments through appropriate departments, including Endoscopy, RPC, and Sterile Processing.
• Assist with onboarding, procedural training, and competency validation/sign-offs for nursing and clinical staff within the primary clinic and at off-site locations.
• Provide cross-coverage for Otolaryngology subspecialty areas and locations, including Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (FPRS), Pediatrics, Voice and Swallowing Center (VSC), and Bayfront clinics during staffing shortages or as operational needs require.
• Maintain clinical knowledge and competencies necessary to safely support specialized Otolaryngology procedures and patient populations.

Administrative and Clinical Coordination 

• Complete and coordinate clinical administrative activities, including prior authorizations, durable medical equipment (DME) documentation, prescription refills, home health forms, and disability-related documentation.
• Assist with the development, review, and maintenance of nursing grids, workflows, protocols, and procedures specific to departmental needs.
• Participate in nursing committees, Unit-Based Leadership Team (UBLT), TNB, and other applicable meetings.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership and interdisciplinary colleagues on quality improvement initiatives and provide feedback to support improvements in patient care, safety, efficiency, and clinical operations.

Required Qualifications 

• At least recent 6 months of Ambulatory/Outpatient Otolaryngology experience
• Minimum of recent 2 years of ICU, Medical/Surgical, or ED inpatient experience
• Strong written and oral communication skills and demonstrated experience working in a multi-disciplinary healthcare setting

Preferred Qualifications

• BSN or MSN
• Experience in Otolaryngology, head and neck conditions including tracheostomies
• Experience with EPIC

Required Certifications

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of California 
• Current healthcare provider CPR certification