Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

Full Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVES

The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant provides a wide range of primary care services, which encompasses health promotion, injury and illness prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of commonly encountered health problems and injuries, as well as the management of stable chronic health conditions. Services will be provided at the organization’s main office and at a satellite clinic located within a partner homeless services agency. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant performs testing, refers to specialty providers as needed, writes prescriptions, and performs office procedures within the scope of expertise, protocols, and available equipment. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant behaves in a professional manner, and consistently demonstrates and promotes the values of Cape Fear Clinic and the principles of a Patient Centered Medical Home.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Determines and assesses the health status of patients by reviewing records, taking comprehensive medical histories, and performing physical examinations; and records findings.
• Initiates and performs screening and diagnostic tests, including blood draws, cultures, skin tests, pap smears, and other procedures appropriate for patient’s condition.
• Orders routine laboratory work and other tests, and interprets results; or arranges for such procedures at other facilities.
• Plans and oversees on-going treatment and clinical management of patients in stable phases of chronic illness, and general health maintenance of non-chronic, non acute patients.
• Informs, counsels and instructs individuals and families on their specific health problems, test results, and general health-related matters such as nutrition, social behavior, aging and substance abuse.
• Acts as a clinical consultant to medical, nursing, paramedical personnel; consults and confers with a wide variety of health and related care providers, such as public health nurses, social workers and mental health workers.
• Consults with physicians regarding patient’s conditions, diagnosis, treatment plan, medication orders and need for specialty care; keeps physician advised of patient status as necessary.
• Prescribes medications according to proper clinical care and standards of practice.
• Recognizes situations requiring physician consult, such as acute conditions requiring immediate attention, changes in chronic conditions, mental and emotional disturbances, and communicable disease cases; consults with and makes appointments with physicians for patients.
• Provides emergency medical treatment when necessary.
• Prepares and maintains complete and accurate charts, case files, records and other documents; reviews material prepared by other staff for completeness and accuracy.
• Attends, participates in, and contributes to in-services education and staff training sessions to maintain and increase skills, and to teach others.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

Work is performed under the general direction of the CMO/Supervising Physician. This position requires consistent, sound judgment and the ability to work independently with minimum direct supervision. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant will work within the context of standing orders, protocols, collaborative agreements and state regulations. The supervisor outlines the overall program objectives and priorities, time limit, and financial resources available. The employee plans and schedules recurring work, handles routine problems, and completes work using own initiative. Exercise professional knowledge and judgment in interpreting appropriate guidelines and applicability. Work is reviewed from an overall standpoint in terms of meeting objectives, effectiveness, and compliance with laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Knowledge of state laws and regulations and scope of work of nursing and nurse practitioner or physician assistant; responsibilities, professional principles, procedures and techniques as applicable within specific licensure.
• Knowledge of symptoms and normal course of acute and chronic illnesses, and their treatment.
• Knowledge of standard medical record-keeping and HIPAA requirements.
• Knowledge of procedures, techniques and tests for conducting comprehensive physical examinations.
• Knowledge of techniques and interpretations of standard laboratory tests, x-rays, and basic diagnostic procedures.
• Knowledge of substance abuse symptoms mental and emotional illness symptoms and intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of medications commonly used for a wide variety of medical conditions, and their effects, reactions and contraindications; proper handling and administration of medications.
• Knowledge of symptoms, prevention, reporting requirements, and treatment of child and adult abuse and neglect.
• Knowledge of normal and abnormal family dynamics; differing cultural, religious, social, and economic factors affecting community medical care patients.
• Knowledge of causes, control, detection, prevention, and treatment of common communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases.
• Knowledge of community resources for medical care, mental health care and social services.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients from various social, cultural, and economic and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other medical care providers.
• Ability to effectively intervene in cases of mental illness, substance abuse, and adult/child abuse and neglect.
• Ability to gain cooperation of patients in treating communicable and environmentally- based illnesses.
• Ability to accurately evaluate and diagnose medical conditions, including obtaining and assessing medical histories.
• Ability to work independently and apply sound medical judgment and department protocols in treatment, treatment planning and referral to physicians.
• Ability to recognize and take immediate action in emergency and immediate need medical cases.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain strict patient confidentiality.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess or be able to obtain a North Carolina Registered Nursing License and Certification as a Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant License.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a National Provider Identifier number.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a DEA License.
• Must have ability to complete required documentation and required written follow-up.
• Must submit to and clear a Criminal Background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three years experience working in a clinic setting is recommended.
• Positive working experience with similar patient populations.
• Computer experience.
• Bilingual English-Spanish

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This job description is intended to provide an overview of the requirements of the position. It is not necessarily inclusive and the job may require other essential and/or non-essential functions, tasks, duties, or responsibilities not listed herein. Management reserves the sole right to add, modify, or exclude any essential or non-essential requirement at any time with or without notice.

Nothing in this job description, or by the completion of any requirement of the job by the employee, is intended to create a contract of employment of any type.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

• Primary Care

Work Location: In person