Staff Nurse - UI Health Care Tiffin Family Medicine 50-100%25

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff Nurse - UI Health Care Tiffin Family Medicine 50-100%

Company: University of Iowa

Location: Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Job Type: Full-time, Regular

Category: Healthcare Operations / Clinical Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-25T16:59:29

Experience Level: 2-5 Years (Mid-Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a vital part of the UI Health Care Tiffin Family Medicine Clinic, integrating clinical nursing duties with essential administrative and patient support functions.

• The Staff Nurse will be instrumental in managing patient flow, providing direct care, and supporting the overall operational efficiency of the clinic.

• Key responsibilities include phone triage, laboratory support, managing prior authorizations, and assisting with nurse-led visits, showcasing a blend of clinical expertise and operational coordination.

• The position emphasizes patient-centered care within a family medicine setting, requiring strong clinical judgment, communication, and adaptability to support varied patient needs and clinic demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Staff Nurse," the description highlights operational duties such as phone triage, prior authorizations, and lab support, indicating a significant operational component beyond direct patient care. This role bridges clinical practice with the efficient functioning of a primary care clinic. The 50-100% flexibility suggests a need for adaptable staffing to meet fluctuating clinic demands.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Patient Triage and Assessment: Conduct initial patient assessments via phone and in-person, determining the urgency of care needs and directing patients to appropriate services. This involves applying nursing theory to assess patient responses to health and illness.

• Laboratory and Diagnostic Support: Provide support for laboratory services, including specimen collection, processing, and ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of results.

• Prior Authorization Management: Process and manage prior authorization requests for medications, procedures, and referrals, ensuring compliance with payer requirements and facilitating timely patient access to care.

• Nurse-Led Visit Coordination: Assist with and conduct nurse visits, performing specific procedures and patient education as per established protocols, optimizing provider time and clinic capacity.

• Care Continuum Coordination: Collaborate with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care across different settings, ensuring seamless transitions and comprehensive patient management.

• Patient Care Plan Development and Implementation: Develop and implement individualized patient care plans based on patient condition, age, and psychosocial factors, documenting interventions and patient responses accurately.

• Clinic Operations Support: Float to other patient specialties or clinic locations as needed to support clinical demands, demonstrating flexibility and broad clinical competency.

• Record Management and Communication: Maintain accurate and detailed patient records within the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, ensuring clear and concise communication with patients, families, and healthcare team members.

• Adherence to Protocols: Implement nursing interventions according to department, division, and unit policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure a safe environment for all.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a role that balances direct patient care with crucial administrative and operational tasks, typical of a high-functioning outpatient clinic. The emphasis on prior authorizations and phone triage points to a need for strong organizational skills and familiarity with healthcare administrative processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• An Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Diploma in Nursing, or a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) is required.

• A Professional Master’s of Nursing and Healthcare Practice (MNHP), MSN/Clinical Nurse Leader, or a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN, MA) is also acceptable.

• Active enrollment in a BSN program is desirable if a baccalaureate degree is not yet obtained. Experience:

• Demonstrated experience fostering a welcoming and respectful work/academic environment.

• Previous experience successfully working autonomously.

• The ability to adapt quickly to different clinical environments and patient populations is crucial; float nurses must be comfortable working in various departments and clinics.

• Previous experience with triage phone calls, prior authorizations, and managing Epic in-basket messages is highly desirable.

• Familiarity with UI Health Care and ambulatory clinic workflows is desirable.

• Previous experience in family medicine is desirable.

• Previous experience with OB is desirable. Required Skills:

• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of Iowa by the time of hire.

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association.

• Valid Driver's License and ability to meet UI Fleet Safety Standards.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills with patients, families, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary team members.

• General computer proficiency, including experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems. Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience with Epic messages, phone calls, results, and fax inbox management.

• Prior experience handling prior authorizations for medications and procedures.

• Experience performing phone triage and managing patient inquiries remotely.

• Phlebotomy experience.

• Ability to assist with nurse visits during downtime.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of clinical licensure, practical experience, and a strong capacity for adaptability and communication. The specific mention of Epic and prior authorizations highlights the need for familiarity with common healthcare IT systems and administrative processes critical for clinic operations. The desirable qualifications suggest that candidates with direct experience in family medicine or related administrative functions will be strongly considered.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Clinical Workflow Examples: Showcase instances where you optimized patient flow, reduced wait times, or improved efficiency in a clinical setting.

• Triage Protocols: Demonstrate your understanding and application of triage protocols, perhaps with examples of how you managed patient escalations or prioritized care.

• Prior Authorization Process Management: Provide examples of how you successfully navigated and managed prior authorization processes, highlighting any systems or strategies used to ensure timely approvals.

• EHR Proficiency Documentation: While not a formal portfolio item, be prepared to discuss your proficiency with EHR systems like Epic, including specific workflows you managed.

Process Documentation:

• Triage Decision Trees: If applicable, describe or provide examples of how you use or would develop decision trees for phone triage to ensure consistent and safe patient guidance.

• Prior Authorization Workflow Mapping: Be ready to discuss or visually represent the typical workflow for obtaining prior authorizations, identifying potential bottlenecks and areas for process improvement.

• Nurse Visit Protocols: Detail your experience in developing or adhering to protocols for nurse-led visits, ensuring standardized care delivery and effective documentation.

• Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Highlight any instances where you identified a process inefficiency within a clinical or operational workflow and implemented a solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a clinical role with significant operational components, a portfolio should emphasize efficiency, process management, and patient flow optimization. Demonstrating an understanding of how clinical tasks integrate with administrative processes like prior authorizations and EHR management will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The salary for this position ranges from $57,587 to $105,636 annually at 100% time. This range is dependent on years of experience, with adjustments made for the specified percentage of time (50-100%). For example, a nurse working 50% time would have a salary range of approximately $28,793.50 - $52,818.

Benefits:

• Retirement Plans: The University of Iowa offers generous employer contributions into retirement plans, providing significant long-term financial benefits.

• Paid Time Off: Comprehensive paid vacation and sick leave are provided, allowing for work-life balance and personal well-being.

• Health and Wellness: Access to a full, comprehensive benefit package typical of university employment, which may include health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Parking: Free on-site parking is available for employees at the Tiffin Clinic location.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued education and professional growth aligned with university employment.

Working Hours:

• This position is 50-100% FTE, translating to 20-40 hours per week.

• The schedule is Monday through Friday, with variable hours ranging between 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM.

• No weekends, holidays, or on-call shifts are required, offering a predictable work schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided and is based on years of experience, which is standard for nursing roles. The benefits package is highlighted as a significant draw, emphasizing the university's commitment to employee well-being and financial security, including unique perks like free parking and robust retirement contributions. The "50-100%" flexibility in work percentage is crucial for candidates seeking adjustable hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare (Academic Medical Center / Community Clinics)

Company Size: The University of Iowa Health Care is a large organization, employing over 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers, indicating a stable and resource-rich environment. The Tiffin Clinic, as part of this system, likely benefits from the infrastructure and standards of a major academic medical center.

Founded: The University of Iowa has a long history, founded in 1847, with UI Health Care having a primary focus on health and wellness for over 100 years, signifying a deep-rooted commitment to patient care and medical advancement.

Team Structure:

• Clinic-Based Team: The Staff Nurse will be part of the Tiffin Family Medicine Clinic team, working closely with physicians, other nurses, medical assistants, and administrative staff.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires collaboration with various UI Health Care specialists and departments to ensure seamless patient care coordination.

• Reporting: While not explicitly detailed, nurses typically report to a Nurse Manager or Clinic Supervisor within the UI Health Care system. The flexible FTE suggests potential collaboration with other clinic sites or departments as needed.

Methodology:

• Patient-Centered Care: The core methodology is focused on personalized, compassionate care, prioritizing patient needs and expectations.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Clinical decisions and care plans are informed by patient assessments, medical history, and evidence-based practices, supported by the EHR.

• Process Optimization: Continuous efforts are made to improve clinic workflows, patient access, and efficiency, as evidenced by the need for support in areas like phone triage and prior authorizations.

Company Website: https://uiowa.taleo.net/careersection/2b/jobdetail.ftl?job=26003839&lang=en

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the context of a large academic medical center like UI Health Care is crucial. It implies adherence to high standards of care, robust training programs, and a structured environment that values research and innovation alongside patient care. The "WECARE" core values are central to the expected behavior and operational approach within the organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is at a mid-level (2-5 years of experience implied by the salary range and typical career progression) within the nursing profession, with a strong emphasis on clinical operations. It offers the opportunity to hone skills in direct patient care while developing expertise in clinic administration, patient flow management, and healthcare process optimization.

Reporting Structure: The Staff Nurse will report to the Tiffin Clinic's Nurse Manager or Clinic Supervisor. There will be significant collaboration with other clinical staff, including physicians, medical assistants, and administrative personnel within the clinic, as well as potential interaction with UI Health Care specialists for patient referrals.

Operations Impact: The Staff Nurse plays a direct role in the operational efficiency and patient experience of the Tiffin Family Medicine Clinic. By effectively managing phone triage, prior authorizations, and supporting nurse visits, they contribute to:

• Improved Patient Access: Ensuring patients receive timely medical advice and necessary authorizations for care.

• Enhanced Provider Efficiency: Freeing up physician time by handling routine tasks and patient inquiries.

• Streamlined Clinic Operations: Contributing to smoother patient flow and reduced administrative burdens.

• Positive Patient Outcomes: Facilitating consistent, high-quality care through effective coordination and management.

Growth Opportunities:

• Clinical Specialization: Potential to gain deeper experience in family medicine, OB, or other specialties supported by the clinic or through float opportunities.

• Operational Skill Development: Opportunities to enhance skills in phone triage, prior authorization management, EHR utilization (Epic), and clinic workflow optimization.

• Leadership Potential: With experience, opportunities may arise for charge nurse roles, preceptor roles for new nurses, or involvement in clinic improvement projects.

• Advancement within UI Health Care: As a large institution, UI Health Care offers numerous pathways for career progression, including opportunities in different departments, specialized clinics, or administrative roles. Pursuing a BSN or MSN can further open doors to advanced practice or leadership positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a valuable blend of clinical practice and operational exposure, which is increasingly sought after. The growth opportunities are tied to both clinical advancement and the development of operational management skills, making it attractive for nurses looking to broaden their career scope within a reputable healthcare system.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role within a community-based family medicine clinic (UI Health Care Tiffin Clinic). The environment is dynamic, fast-paced, and patient-focused.

Office Location(s):

• Primary Location: Tiffin Family Medicine Clinic, Tiffin, Iowa.

• Potential Floating: May also be required to float to other patient specialties or clinic locations within the UI Health Care network, based on clinical needs and hours. This suggests a need for familiarity with different clinic settings within the organization.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The workspace is designed for close collaboration among the nursing team, physicians, medical assistants, and administrative staff to ensure efficient patient care delivery.

• Technology Integration: Expect to work extensively with the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system (Epic), phone systems, and other clinic-specific technologies for patient management and communication.

• Patient Interaction: The role involves significant direct patient interaction, requiring a professional and empathetic demeanor. The clinic setting promotes a team-oriented approach to patient care.

Work Schedule:

• Flexible Hours: The schedule is Monday to Friday, with variable hours between 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM. The FTE can range from 50% to 100% (20-40 hours/week), offering flexibility for candidates needing part-time or full-time employment.

• No Weekends/Holidays: A key benefit is the absence of weekend, holiday, or on-call duties, ensuring predictable personal time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role is emphasized, with the added dimension of potential floating. This requires adaptability and a willingness to work across different clinic settings within the UI Health Care system. The predictable weekday schedule is a significant advantage for work-life balance.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Candidates must upload a resume and cover letter detailing how they meet the required and desired qualifications.

• Initial Screening: HR or a hiring manager will review applications to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Phone/Video Interview: A preliminary interview may be conducted to discuss experience, motivation, and initial fit with the role and team.

• On-site Interview: This will likely involve meeting with the hiring manager (e.g., Nurse Manager), potential team members, and possibly discussing specific clinical scenarios or operational challenges.

• Skills Assessment (Potential): Depending on the role's complexity, there might be a practical assessment related to nursing skills, EHR proficiency, or handling simulated patient interactions.

• Final Decision: Based on interview performance, qualifications, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Operations: Since this role has significant operational duties, your portfolio should highlight achievements in efficiency, process improvement, and patient flow management, not just clinical outcomes.

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use numbers to demonstrate impact. For example, "Reduced average prior authorization turnaround time by X%" or "Managed Y patient calls per day, resolving Z% on first contact."

• Showcase Adaptability: Include examples of how you've successfully adapted to new environments, patient populations, or technologies, especially relevant for a floating role.

• Highlight EHR Proficiency: Detail your experience with Epic, focusing on specific modules or workflows you used for patient triage, documentation, and administrative tasks.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by functional area (triage, authorizations, patient care) or by project. Use clear headings and concise descriptions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be prepared for questions about how you would handle specific clinical or operational scenarios, such as a complex phone triage call, a difficult prior authorization denial, or managing a sudden influx of patients.

• EHR Workflow Questions: Expect questions about your experience with Epic, including how you would navigate specific tasks related to patient registration, scheduling, documentation, and communication.

• Teamwork and Collaboration: Prepare examples demonstrating your ability to work effectively with diverse teams and communicate complex information clearly.

• Problem-Solving: Think about a time you identified an operational bottleneck or inefficiency in a clinical setting and what steps you took to address it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes the need for tailored documentation (resume and cover letter) that directly addresses the qualifications. For a role blending clinical and operational duties, a portfolio should reflect this duality, showcasing practical skills in both areas. Interview preparation should focus on scenario-based questions that test problem-solving and operational efficiency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Electronic Health Record (EHR): Epic is the primary system mentioned and is critical for patient charting, scheduling, communication (in-basket messages), results management, and overall patient data management. Proficiency is highly desirable.

• Phone Systems: Essential for phone triage and patient communication. Candidates should be comfortable using professional phone systems for patient interactions.

• Laboratory Information System (LIS): While integrated with EHR, there might be specific LIS functionalities for specimen tracking and result review.

Analytics & Reporting:

• EHR Reporting Modules: Ability to pull basic reports or access patient data within Epic for tracking patient progress, follow-ups, or administrative tasks.

• Spreadsheet Software (e.g., Microsoft Excel): Useful for tracking prior authorizations, managing task lists, or basic data analysis if needed for operational improvements.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a traditional CRM role, the EHR (Epic) functions as a patient relationship management tool.

• Workflow Automation (within EHR): Familiarity with using automated reminders, task assignments, or notification systems within Epic to manage workflows like prior authorizations or follow-up calls.

• Integration Tools: Understanding how different systems (like EHR and external payer portals for prior authorizations) might interact, even if not directly managing integrations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The dominant technology is the Epic EHR system. Candidates must demonstrate comfort and proficiency with this platform, particularly its functionalities related to patient communication, scheduling, and administrative tasks like prior authorizations. Familiarity with standard office productivity tools like Excel is also assumed.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Welcoming: Fostering an environment where patients and colleagues feel heard, respected, and valued, promoting dignity and the ability to thrive. This translates to positive patient interactions and supportive team dynamics.

• Excellence: Striving for personal and collective best in healthcare delivery, education, and research, which means maintaining high standards in clinical care and operational efficiency.

• Collaboration: Encouraging teamwork across departments and with external healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive care. This is crucial for seamless patient transitions and effective problem-solving.

• Accountability: Acting with integrity, taking responsibility for actions, and addressing errors promptly. This applies to clinical decision-making and operational task completion.

• Respect: Creating an environment where every individual feels safe, valued, and respected, supporting the well-being and success of all community members.

• Empowerment: Supporting fair access to healthcare and opportunities for personal and professional growth for staff.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: The clinic operates on a team model, requiring nurses to work closely with physicians, medical assistants, and administrative staff. Open communication and mutual support are key.

• Patient-Focused: All interactions, whether clinical or operational, are centered around the patient's needs and well-being.

• Process-Driven: While valuing individual contribution, there's an emphasis on following established protocols and workflows to ensure consistent, high-quality care and efficient operations. Feedback on processes is encouraged to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "WECARE" values are central to the expected behavior and operational approach. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their past actions and approach align with these values, particularly in terms of collaboration, patient respect, and accountability within a clinical setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Diverse Patient Needs: The role requires adaptability to a wide range of patient conditions, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds, common in family medicine.

• Balancing Clinical and Operational Tasks: Effectively prioritizing and executing both direct patient care duties and administrative responsibilities (phone triage, prior authorizations) within a busy clinic environment.

• Navigating Payer Systems: Dealing with the complexities of prior authorization processes, which can be time-consuming and require persistence.

• Adapting to Floating Needs: Successfully integrating into different clinic settings or specialties when required to float, requiring quick learning and broad clinical knowledge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Clinical Skill Enhancement: Deepening expertise in family medicine, potentially OB, and other specialties encountered through floating.

• Operational Process Mastery: Becoming highly proficient in critical clinic operations like phone triage, prior authorization management, and EHR workflow optimization.

• Advanced EHR Training: Opportunities to become an expert user of Epic, potentially leading to roles in EHR support or training.

• Professional Development: Pursuing further education (e.g., BSN, MSN) with potential support from the University, opening doors to advanced practice or leadership roles.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced physicians and nurses within the UI Health Care system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a busy clinic nurse role with operational responsibilities. The growth opportunities are substantial, leveraging the resources of a large academic medical center to foster both clinical and operational career development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Clinical Scenario: "Describe how you would handle a patient calling with symptoms of X, considering they have a history of Y and are due for Z." Focus on your triage process, assessment questions, and escalation criteria.

• Operational Process: "Walk me through your process for obtaining a prior authorization for a common medication or procedure. What are the typical challenges, and how do you overcome them?" Emphasize efficiency, accuracy, and communication.

• Problem-Solving: "Describe a time you identified an inefficiency in a clinical workflow (e.g., patient check-in, lab processing, communication) and what steps you took to improve it." Highlight your analytical skills and initiative.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you embody the 'WECARE' values in your daily work as a nurse?" Be ready to provide specific examples that align with Welcoming, Excellence, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment.

• "Why are you interested in working for UI Health Care and specifically at the Tiffin Family Medicine Clinic?" Research the clinic's patient population and services.

• "How do you handle working autonomously, and what is your approach to seeking help when needed?" This addresses the floating aspect and self-management skills. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: When presenting your portfolio, emphasize the impact of your contributions, particularly in terms of efficiency, patient satisfaction, and operational improvement. Use metrics where possible.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: If you have examples of quickly learning new systems or adapting to different clinical settings, highlight these. This is crucial for the floating aspect of the role.

• EHR Workflow Walkthrough: Be prepared to briefly describe your workflow within Epic for key tasks like managing patient messages, scheduling appointments, or processing prior authorizations.

• Tailor to the Role: Connect your experiences directly to the responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as phone triage, lab support, and prior authorizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both clinical competence and operational acumen. Candidates should be ready to discuss specific processes, use the STAR method for behavioral questions, and articulate how their values align with the organization's core principles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the UIowa Taleo careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight experience in phone triage, prior authorizations, laboratory support, patient assessment, and EHR (Epic) proficiency. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Clearly articulate how your skills and experience directly address the required and desirable qualifications, specifically mentioning your ability to adapt to different clinic needs and your understanding of patient-centered care.

• Prepare Your Portfolio (if applicable): While not explicitly required for submission, have examples ready to discuss during an interview that showcase your operational efficiency, process improvement initiatives, and clinical decision-making skills.

• Research UI Health Care: Familiarize yourself with the organization's mission, values (WECARE), and the services offered by the Tiffin Family Medicine Clinic and other potential floating locations. Understand their commitment to patient care and community health.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.