Nurse Practitioner

SUMMARY

Nurse Practitioner responsible for providing primary and urgent care to a diverse patient population, focusing on health maintenance, disease prevention, patient education, and counseling. Works under the supervision of a physician following established guidelines and protocols and within the established scope of practice.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Demonstrates the ability to perform physical exams on all patients, neonate through the geriatric population.
• Obtains and documents the patient's medical history. Identifies health risk factors.
• Demonstrates the ability to diagnose and treat common acute illnesses.
• Demonstrates the ability to diagnose and treat chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Orders and interprets diagnostic tests, i.e., laboratory work, x-rays, EKG.
• Provides well childcare; women's healthcare, prenatal care, family planning.
• Demonstrates the ability to prescribe medications (see individual state laws) and non-pharmacological therapies based on the patient's diagnoses, health history, and age.
• Encourages positive health behaviors for the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease. This is done through education and counseling.
• Always applies standardized care guidelines in clinical practice.
• Provides patient and/or family with health education, counseling and referrals to other healthcare professionals and community resources when appropriate.
• Assesses and documents patient and/or family psychosocial issues.
• Treats patients and families with respect and dignity. Maintains high patient satisfaction scores.
• Collaborates with physicians and other members of the health team to plan optimal care for the patient.
• Works with the patient and family to formulate a patient treatment and education plan.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

• Provides follow-up care, determines the effectiveness of the treatment plan, reassesses and changes the plan as needed.
• Documentation meets all standards and policies. Documentation includes all findings, interventions, and results. Appropriately codes E&M at appropriate levels, without over or under coding. Completes and signs all documentation timely, usually at point of service, but no later than the end of the shift.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Functions as a patient advocate.
• Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized, and function under stressful situations.
• Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
• Stays current with medical advancements, new technology, new drugs through continuing education classes, society meetings, professional journals etc.
• Attends all departmental, organizational, and medical staff committee meetings as appropriate.
• Meets the organization’s requirements for participation in government and private payer incentive programs, such as PQRS and Meaningful Use.
• Completes patient charts following appropriate documentation guidelines in a timely manner.
• Assists with the development and implementation of specific policies and procedures.

Credentials /Education/Experience 

• Minimum 1–2 years of recent clinical experience preferred

• Master’s Degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program

• Current, unrestricted California RN and NP license

• National Nurse Practitioner Certification (AANP, ANCC, or equivalent)

• Active DEA registration or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire

• Current BLS certification

• Strong clinical judgment and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment