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by Lexxie

A free-standing Urgent Care Center (ie: not associated with any of the ER's) recently opened in my area. It is staffed by the Office Manager, one NP and one very part time doctor. There is also one LPN, who handles receptionist duties along with the initial assessments. I am by no means in a large metropolitan area, but that hardly seems like enough staff. Also, I thought as a LPN we weren't allowed to do inital assessments. Does that differ for this type of facility? I had applied to work there (awaiting call back for interview), but after hearing all of this, it makes me leary of working there. Is this the norm for Urgent Care Centers?? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[MedicalLPN]

Re: Urgent Care Center

Does seem like a skeleton crew, maybe as the center grows and the patients start flowing in more they'll hire more staff? As far as LPN's doing initial assessments, it depends on your state's scope of practice. Also office nursing is a totally different animal from floor nursing and it seems like sometimes the rules are different.

I think these urgent care centers are wonderful and hope to see more open in my area.

[Tweety]

Re: Urgent Care Center

"Assessment" might be used a little liberally here, meaning taking a history and finding out what the chief complaint is, etc.

As far as staffing, I guess it depends on the volume of paitents.

[pagandeva2000]

Re: Urgent Care Center

I gotta agree with Tweety, it is probably collecting a history and chief complaint. Also, LPNs do also work under the auspice of the physician, so, I think that this sort of data collection is acceptable. Never worked in an office clinic; I am sure it would be even more different than the hospital clinic I am currently employed at.

[MagickalSpiral]

Re: Urgent Care Center

I am a Nursing student, but also a Medical Assistant. I currently work in an Urgent Care center (and have for 2+ years.) The staff you speak of reminds me of when we opened our 3rd Center, a skeleton crew. Now that the patient load has picked up, so has the number of members of our staff!! I for one, do "inital histories" but it consists of chief complaint, drug allergies, family/surgical/medical hx and their medications.. I would encourage you to interview, you may be pleasantly surprised with the way the clinic operates. It is definately a rewarding experience!!

[Lexxie]

Re: Urgent Care Center

Well the office manager used the term "assessments", so I was going by what she said. She is a former co-worker with a background in EMS. Maybe that term was just a faux paus on her part.

Thanks for your insight. I guess I just had it in my head that it would be a large ER type facility with patients beating down the doors. I will definitely keep this option open.

[Lexxie]

Re: Urgent Care Center

I have an interview this morning at the Urgent Care Center!

I'm a lil nervous as I've not had an interview in 11 years - gosh, hard to believe I've been with my current employer that long!!!

Anywho, will let you know what it's really like! hehe

[MagickalSpiral]

Re: Urgent Care Center

Good luck!! It says a lot about your character to have been with an employer for 11 years!! Urgent care is definately fun, but around my area, RN's rarely work in UC... Too bad, I'll graduate in a year and I already have 3 years of UC experience!

Keep us posted!!!

[loricatus]

Re: Urgent Care Center

Know you get an idea of why these places are referred to as 'Doc-in-the-Box'

I took a p/t job at one of these places and had to quit because I found out I was being supervised by an LPN (which is against the State's Nurse Practice Act). Be careful & get it in writing who your direct supervisor is, if you are an RN.

[MagickalSpiral]

Re: Urgent Care Center

Yeah, right now, I'm okay.. As an MA. The Practice Administrator and I have already talked, and she knows that as soon as I can place RN after my name, I'm gone! It's a fun experience for now though!