Nurse Practitioner

Description

.        JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) serves as basic primary care provider for a defined population of patients of all ages who select Medical Associates Plus (MAP) as their primary care home. The NP also provides episodic care to patients who present for immediate care/walk-in.  The NP functions in the capacity of provider, educator, consultant, researcher, manager, and administrator.  The NP performs clinical-related functions under the auspices/supervision of the Medical Director.  The NP practices within guidelines of established Federal and State regulations/ licensure and within established protocols for Medical Associates Plus.

II.     MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Code of Conduct

        1.      Always works as a team player to provide quality patient care, whether direct or indirect.  Within scope of licensure, each employee will assist other team members in accomplishing their job duties in order to “get the job done”.

1. Holds self and team members accountable for knowledge of and full compliance with customer service performance standards as defined and listed in the Neighborhood Improvement Project, Inc. Policies and Procedures Manual.
2. Complies with policies and regulatory standards, including JCAHO, OSHA, Medicare, etc.
3. Participates in planning and in the efficient, effective management of resources. 
4. Supports Performance Improvement and Patient Safety activities.
5. Provides patient education to each client and/or family at each visit regarding the nature of any identified problems; proposed treatments and their proper use; self-care; circumstances warranting follow-up; as well as preventive health maintenance appropriate to the situation.
6. Involves family member/care-takers in education of identified problems and proposed 

       treatment/follow-up plans.          

8.    Culturally sensitive.  Talks with patient and family at appropriate level for understanding.

9.    Obtains consultation and/or makes referrals on all patients presenting with problems beyond

       the scope of the practitioner’s competence, licensure, or ability to treat.

Job-specific Major Areas of Responsibility

1. Provides competent primary care services for patients of all ages (birth to elderly) through clinical assessment, analytical decision-making, clinical judgment, and interpretation and evaluation of clinical data (laboratory, etc.)  .       
2. Willingly assists team members, shows flexibility in accepting alternative assignments or working additional hours when asked.
3. Keeps co-workers and supervisor informed about work related issues and concerns.
4. Makes sure that patient information is kept confidential.  Never discusses patients and their care in public areas.
5. Teaches and models customer service behaviors.
6. Holds employees accountable, including praising employees for customer service excellence.
7. Uses resources and materials efficiently and effectively.
8. Recognizes that patient safety and performance improvement are priorities by striving to continuously improve service excellence, clinical excellence, improve performance and patient safety, quality outcomes, teamwork, patient care coordination, and resource management.
9. Stays current within profession 
10. Is familiar with the legal and ethical obligations of the work.  Reports instances of impropriety through provided mechanisms. 
11. Cooperates with other departments in pursuing opportunities for improvement.
12. Maintains good working relationships with local physicians and other services providers through effective communication, appropriate/competent practices, and feedback
13. Makes every attempt to promote/strengthen established patient provider relationships.
14. Applies advanced knowledge, clinical expertise, and legislative support to the advancement of the profession and the promotion of quality health care.
15. Maintains a computerized database on client information and directs the Medical Assistant and/or Administrator in using the database to prepare and submit reports as needed.
16. Coordinates strategies to reduce inappropriate emergency department visits, to reduce hospital days, and to increase patient wellness and compliance.
17. Serves as the person in charge of the center during his/her shift and in the absence of the CMO.
18. With the physician supervisor, updates protocols annually.  Assists Administrator in maintaining current policy and procedure manual for center operations. Maintains quality assurance standards.
19. Participates in periodic, scheduled review of patient care for quality control/improvement purposes.
20. Maintains a procedure manual on the management of lab tests as required by CLIA.  Oversees and/or performs quality control, quality assurance measures as outlined in the manual.
21. Participates in shared-call arrangements and may provide clinician services to patients of participants in on-call arrangements.
22. May be called upon to provide emergency care to non-patients in sites identified in the Corporation Scope of Practice.
23. All duties as assigned within your scope of practice.

III.   QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:

1. Graduate of a program for Nurse Practitioner preparation in an accredited school of training with knowledge and skills normally acquired through such a program.
2. Appropriate certification and licensure required.

EXPERIENCE:

         At least two years functioning in a clinical Nurse Practitioner role is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

A.    Self-motivated NP with ability to function independently and interdependently.

         B.    Exceptional enthusiasm, creativity, initiative, patience, and positive thinking.

1.   Personal qualities and professional techniques to interact with, stimulate, and motivate  

        others to positive outcomes within the delivery of primary and episodic care.

         D.    Advanced analytical skills to perform evaluations and decision-making in patient care situations; to apply knowledge base to practice setting; to trend productivity; to write protocols; and to provide educational support to health care team and patients.

         E.    Advanced interpersonal skills to relate to and communicate with all levels of patients, personnel, management, physicians, families, financial carriers, and others in complex relationships.

          F.   Ability to tolerate stress and resolve conflict.

         G.   Accountability for personal professional competencies and growth.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

         Must be able to perform the duties of the position with reasonable accommodation.

IV.   WORKING CONDITIONS:

Outpatient practice setting with adequate lighting, dust, and climate control.  Frequently exposed to communicable/infectious disease and blood/body fluids and sharps.  Rarely exposed to therapeutic amount of radiation. Frequent exposure to moderate level of noise from phones, machinery, patients, visitors, and other personnel.  May involve extended hours.

The Nurse Practitioner is regularly required to walk, talk and hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand and use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls.  The employee is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Medical Associates Plus reserves the right to direct its workforce this includes but is not limited to work location, work hours and job duties.

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The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Qualifications