The Medical Review Nurse serves as a clinical resource for Northwest Permanente (NWP) physicians by supporting the completion of medical certifications for serious health conditions requiring employment leave. This role includes conducting comprehensive nursing reviews of patient medical records and providing recommendations to the treating provider based on the patient’s condition, treatment plan, and functional impact. The SMARTeam RN applies scientific evidence, clinical experience, and nursing judgment within the scope of the RN license.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Determine whether a patient’s condition meets federal and state criteria for a serious health condition requiring medical certification.
- Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments of patient medical records to evaluate how the condition affects overall health and daily functioning. This includes gathering and analyzing clinical data and developing a patient‑centered plan of care using scientific evidence, clinical experience, and nursing judgment.
- Consult with the medical director as needed for complex cases, clinician education, or clarification of regulatory requirements.
- Communicate effectively with clinicians regarding medical certification questions and participate in department and regional meetings as requested.
- Participate in chart reviews to support quality of care initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
- Five years of RN experience.
- Current RN license in Oregon or Washington at hire; licensure in both states required within six months (application within two weeks of hire/transfer).
- Additional state licensure as needed based on departmental requirements.
- Proficiency in reviewing health records, analyzing clinical data, and developing patient‑centered care plans using evidence, experience, and nursing judgment.
- Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to build effective working relationships and maintain strict confidentiality.
- Proficiency with electronic medical record systems (e.g., Health Connect) and basic Microsoft Office applications.
- Professional written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Nursing.
- Specialty nursing certification highly desirable.
- Ten years of RN experience.
- Three years of RN experience within Kaiser Permanente in an outpatient setting.
- Experience conducting nursing quality reviews and providing recommendations to treating providers.
- Advanced proficiency with Epic.
- Knowledge of process improvement, research methodology, and evidence‑based practice.
For more information about this position, contact Courtney Johnson, courtney.l.johnson@kp.org.
About Northwest Permanente:
We are the Permanente in Kaiser Permanente. Northwest Permanente is a self-governed, multi-specialty group of 1,500 physicians, clinicians, and administrative professionals caring for 630,000 members in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Together with Kaiser Foundation Health Plans and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, we form Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest, an integrated health care program. Kaiser Permanente is one of the nation's pre-eminent health care systems, a benchmark for comprehensive, integrated, value-based, and high-quality care.
Our Northwest Permanente administrative professionals enjoy a wide range of company sponsored benefits:
- 15% employer contribution to retirement programs, including pension.
- 90% employer-paid health plan
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Child Care Benefits
- Flexible Work Schedules
- Paid Parental Leave
- Self-Care Days + Paid Time Off
Equal Opportunity Employer
Northwest Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.
