Urgent Care Qualifications

Specialties Ambulatory

Published

I am fairly new to the urgent care world. Do you currently work urgent care? If so, what certifications do you require? (example ACLS, NIH stroke, etc.)

DowntheRiver

983 Posts

Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

Depends on your facility. I worked Urgent Care as a new grad. We were a BLS facility BUT we were across the street from the hospital where patients didn't want to wait. So, we saw a lot of chest pain and possible strokes. We had to call 911 to transport but I would usually get an EKG, line in, and nitro/aspirin if doc wanted. I got my ACLS after a couple of close calls but we always remained a BLS facility so it didn't matter. We did have 1/1000 and 1/10,000 epi and glucagon. Only used glucagon once and 1/1000 epi IM for anaphylaxis 5-6 times a week. I did a lot of strep and flu tests, ear lavage, IM injections, breathing treatments, assisting with suturing, wound care, splinting, venipunctures, and IVs with fluids. Where I worked, only doctors and nurses could give meds so 90% of the time nurses were giving meds.

I actually liked the work and would still work there but my boss reneged on his agreement for me to work every third weekend so I was literally working every weekend.

Lipoma, BSN, RN

293 Posts

Specializes in SRNA.

I interviewed at a UC as a new grad and the only qualifications they required was RN and BLS. They did have ACLS equipment like intubation kits...but that was for the providers. I ended up accepting an ER position over the UC position.

Specializes in Urgent Care, Emergency Department.

Different facilities have different requirements. Ours require BLS, ACLS, and PALS for nurses and providers and BLS only for everyone else (medical assistants, radiology, registration).

jrt4

244 Posts

thank you for your feedback. We typically only staff with LPN and QMA which limits some of our ability to do more advanced procedures in the clinic. I have been in urgent care for a short time, most of my background is inpatient so this is a new world for me.

mdavis2018

35 Posts

Most of the local UC in my area require staff with LPN and QMA . It is true that the services they can provide are limited, which can results in patient referrals

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