Nurse Practitioner

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing professional and nonprofessional nursing care services in accordance with physician orders. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Advanced Practice related duties: Under the direction of a physician, provides health care services to patients, ensuring optimal patient care. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. A senior level role that requires advanced knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Typically responsible for: managing projects / processes, working independently with limited supervision, coaching and reviewing the work of lower level professionals, resolving difficult and sometimes complex problems.

Job Overview

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is responsible for providing primary care for a caseload of patients. As an advanced practice nurse, the NP has received specialized training and education in the management of the acute care. The NP is uniquely qualified to meet the responsibilities of the role which include, but are not limited to: Comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and treatment; Prescribing and performance of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions; Supervise protocols and insure compliance of studies; Development, evaluation and modifications of treatment plans as patient condition warrants; Review/prescribe therapeutic orders for patients; and Participate in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as indicated by patient condition. The NP practices in collaboration with the attending physician and other members of the multidisciplinary team to insure optimal patient outcomes. The NP works in conjunction with the primary nurse to provide patient and family centered care, providing psycho-emotional support, educational support and discharge planning that is individualized and comprehensive. Additionally, the NP will be able to provide clinical consultation and participate in medical and nursing research. The NP will participate in continuing education, quality improvement initiatives, clinical outcome evaluation and monitoring.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Applies advanced nursing knowledge and experience to provide care to assigned caseload of patients assigned, in collaboration with the attending physician. This care involves comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and treatment of common problems encountered throughout the disease process. The NP provides comprehensive symptom management throughout the illness trajectory with specific attention to goals of care.

2. Provide care that is appropriate to the age of patients served in the clinical area.

3. Performs procedures and treatments using nursing judgment and according to established practice guidelines and professional standards.

4. Orders and administers drugs in a manner that demonstrates advanced knowledge of pharmacology and medications. Monitors medication treatment according to patient's response.

5. Remains knowledgeable about equipment and utilizes equipment in a safe manner.

6. Writes clear, comprehensive initial and follow up notes. Orders appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests.

7. Plans effectively for any necessary home care and follow-up.

8. Initiates referrals and consultations with appropriate specialists as indicated.

9. Facilitates family and team meetings as appropriate to patient care needs.

10. Directs the medical/nursing plan of care building collegial relationships among the team of his/her colleagues and peers to maximize patient care and outcomes.

11. Delegates responsibilities to others with an understanding of their roles, knowledge and capabilities.

12. Facilitates cooperative and collaborative relationships among the various disciplines and departments to ensure effective quality patient care delivery.

13. Maintains a collaborative work relationship with peers and colleagues in order to create a positive work environment.

14. Serves as a nursing leader and role model to all team members.

15. Performs role in a consistently professional manner. Holds self-accountable for professional practice. Presents self in a calm and professional manner.

16. Influences others by establishing a climate for optimal patient care, mutually supportive collegial relationships and professional development.

17. Participates in performance improvement activities utilizing performance improvement principles to support and improve patient care.

18. Attends and actively participates in staff meetings. Accepts responsibility for reading staff meeting minutes when not able to attend.

19. Keeps current with literature regarding changing practices, interventions and research in patient care.

20. Assumes responsibility for seeking out educational and professional opportunities for personal learning needs and growth.

21. Assumes responsibility for meeting mandatory education requirements and unit specific education and competencies.

22. Acts as a preceptor to new NPs and graduate NP students as requested.

23. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment

Physical Requirements:

1. Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking.

2. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfer patients and equipment.

3. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching.

4. Frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, sick patients, bodily substances, noise and possible exposure to radiation, lasers, electric shock, etc.

5. Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases and other transmissible infections.

6. Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances.

7. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.

8. Handle emergency and crisis situations.

9. May have contact with hazardous materials.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

2. Ability to provide primary care for a caseload of patients according to practice guidelines and hospital policies, procedures and protocols.

3. Possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process. This includes: Knowledge of growth and development; Ability to interpret age specific data and response to care; and Provide age specific communication.