Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant – Urgent/Walk-In Care

Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant – Urgent/Walk-In Care Exempt, Full Time Position Department: Adult Medicine

**Community Health Services participates in the NHSC Loan Repayment Program**

Community Health Services, Inc. is seeking an experienced Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant in our Adult Medicine Clinic, to take on a new initiative focused on enhancing our walk-in/urgent care services. The right candidate will function as an independent urgent care provider in a collaborative multidisciplinary health team but will also promote and help transition patient into primary care with other providers. He/she will demonstrate a high degree of clinical expertise in working with patients with acute and chronic illnesses or acute injuries commonly encountered in an adult patient population. This comprehensive care will be provided within our primary care clinic setting, but the clinic will be equipped with standard urgent care supplies, except for onsite imaging which will be available at local radiology facilities. He/she is responsible for assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management, education, health promotion and care coordination for patients and families with acute and chronic health needs. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant demonstrates an advanced level of medical clinical knowledge, communication and interdisciplinary collaboration, professionalism, and systems-based practice. He/she will work with medical assistants, nursing, other Mid-level providers, physicians, specialty providers, care coordinators, social determinants of health workers, and administration to assure safe, effective, and quality patient care.

Community Health Services exists in the community to offer a full spectrum of services that includes medical care, behavioral health care, dental care, an onsite pharmacy and more. Our goal is to offer our patients a medical home; a place where they can come for all their needs; a place where the clinical staff know them by their first name. Our dedicated staff demonstrate the good we can do daily when we provide quality care with dignity to each individual. We want to help our patients get all the health care they need — when they need it — so they may to live a healthier and happier life.

The successful candidate will:

• Be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and have successfully completed an approved nurse practitioner program.
• Possess valid State of Connecticut licensure
• Have or be eligible to obtain DEA and state narcotic registration
• Have a deep knowledge of nursing theory and practice or physician assistant theory and practice coupled with a record of providing high quality, comprehensive, professional clinical care to patients according to established standards, protocols and practices.
• Possess the ability to provide cultural competent care to a diverse patient population in a collaborative environment.
• Have skill taking medical history, assessing medical conditions and interpreting findings.
• Have a track record of proven success communicating effectively with patients, peers, and other stakeholders both orally and in writing.
• Have demonstrated ability to maintain timely, thorough and accurate written clinical documentation
• Be able to make evidence-based clinical decisions and comply with department and organizational quality measures
• Be comfortable using electronic health record and other computer systems
• Be willing to perform other duties as assigned.
• Candidates with 1-2 years’ experience working in an ambulatory setting or providing urgent care are preferred.
• All candidates for employment at CHS must successfully pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.

Essential Clinical Functions:

• Manages acute and chronic medical conditions, and minor surgical conditions based on knowledge of the indications, contraindications, side effects, interactions and adverse reactions of pharmacologic agents and other relevant treatment modalities.
• Demonstrates proficiency in procedural skills pertinent to practice area. Expected procedures may include Incision and drainage, laceration repair, splinting fractures, foreign body removal, suture removal, pelvic exams, joint injections, Trigger point injections, nasal cauterization.
• Follows ethical principles regarding patient confidentiality, informed consent, and unanticipated adverse outcomes
• Considers cost effectiveness and risk/benefit analysis when making decisions about patient care.
• Support population health efforts by directing patient into primary care
• Willing to assist with transitions in care such as hospital and ER follow ups
• Work effectively with multidisciplinary team members.
• Deliver superior quality patient care to all patients who present for care on an acute basis or for chronic care management during Urgent Care, Walk-in, or same day appointments, in accordance with department and organizational scheduling protocols.
• Collaborate with PCMH teams to educate and support patients and their families related to disease prevention, their health status, medications, procedures, or other plans of care
• Contribute to care coordination and continuity of care by referring patients for laboratory and diagnostic tests and specialty consults and following up appropriately on reports; develop and maintain positive working relationships with specialists and other clinical partners
• Submit accurate, timely documentation that captures clinical decision-making in both routine and complex cases and that complies with federal, state, third-party payer, and organizational documentation, coding, and billing standards
• Adhere to clinical and administrative quality measures as demonstrated by ongoing and focused professional practice evaluation
• Communicate with nurses, medical assistants, and other members of the care team before, during, and after patient visits to ensure clinical and social determinants of health needs are addressed
• Participate in clinical call rotations and act as a backup resource, as necessary, during after-hours coverage or other emergency situations
• Work collaboratively with providers within the department and across the organization consistent with the Primary Care Medical Home model and organizational standards for co-managing care

Essential Administrative Functions:

• Participate in department initiatives designed to improve the efficient and effective function of clinical operations
• Demonstrate citizenship by leading or providing clinical guidance on departmental and organizational committees or teams, including the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Committee, Infection Control Committee, PCMH teams, and other ad hoc committees or work groups, as needed, requested, or directed
• Contribute to systems and process designed to ensure the quality and safety of clinical care by participating in ongoing and focused professional practice evaluation and peer review activities
• Complete on a timely basis all credentialing and privileging requirements, including renewing all licenses and Board certifications and completing an application for clinical privileges as requested
• Support the ability to seek and receive reimbursement for services rendered by assisting Human Resources and Billing with information requests, where requested
• Unless registered with the State of Connecticut to practice independently, adhere to the guidelines of a collaborative agreement with a designated physician
• Complete ongoing clinical education requirements and other skills-based programs as necessary to ensure the maintenance of clinical competencies
• Remain well-informed of evidence-based practice standards, health care advances and incorporate such standards and advances into the health center’s clinical practices
• Perform all duties in accordance with CHS Core Values, Compliance Program, and other policies and procedures
• Participate in quality and process improvement efforts in the department and the organization as requested or as directed
• Complete training and professional development requirements in a timely manner
• Perform other duties as assigned or directed

Some benefit programs available to eligible employees include:

• Community Health Services participates in the NHSC Loan Repayment Program
• Paid Malpractice and CME
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Plan and up to 4% Employer Match
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Competitive Pay
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Employer Paid Short Term Disability
• Employer Paid Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Worker’s Compensation
• Various Leave Programs – Bereavement, Military, Maternity, and more

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

CHS requires all new employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19 prior to starting employment with CHS unless they are approved for a reasonable accommodation based on disability, medical condition, or religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated.

Community Health Services is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.