Nurse Practitioner
- Supervised by: Medical Director
- Supervises: None
Job Summary:
Provide primary medical management in collaboration with the PACE physician(s). Conduct initial and semi-annual assessments, perform additional physical assessments of participants as needed, and develop and implement appropriate plans of care for participants. Evaluate participant physical and psychosocial complaints and provide appropriate treatment. Educate participants and families as needed regarding self-care and specific medical conditions. Function as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Provide daily oversight of the PACE Clinic. Perform rounds in the PACE contracted nursing homes. Regularly inform the interdisciplinary team of the medical condition of each participant, remaining alert to pertinent input from other team members, participants and caregivers. Document care in the participant’s medical record in compliance with documentation policies.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Education/Training/Certifications:
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
- RN State License
- APN License – California Board of Nursing.
- Geriatric Certification as a Nurse Practitioner with prescriptive authority.
- Current drivers license, proof of insurance and means of transportation.
Experience:
- Minimum of 2 years working with the frail or elderly.
- Minimum of 1 year working with the frail or elderly population or training and tested competency provided by [Asian Heritage Healthcare].
Medical Clearance:
Employees must have medical clearance for communicable diseases and up-to-date immunizations before having direct participant contact.
Competency:
Position specific competencies for the Nurse Practitioner will be met prior to assuming participant care.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In compliance with ADA requirements, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Work Environment:
Employee must be able to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team model, interfacing and collaborating with a wide range of clinical and social services disciplines who work together to manage the PACE participants’ care. The work setting is in an Adult Day Health Center and primary care clinic environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperatures.
Physical Requirements:
Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Must be able to communicate with all staff, vendors, and clients. Requires manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination; the ability to use department equipment. Requires lifting/carrying up to 65lbs.and pushing or pulling 150lbs.using appropriate body mechanics and equipment, with reasonable accommodation if needed.
Visual, Hearing and Communication Requirements:
Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range, with or without reasonable accommodation. Ability to communicate by way of the telephone with participants, customers, vendors and staff.
Pressure Factor:
Requires working under stressful conditions. Working conditions may be noisy and crowded and fluctuating indoor temperatures. Moderate pressure to meet scheduled deadlines. Potential for exposure to verbal aggression by client, vendors, and staff.
Environmental Conditions:
May be exposed to a risk of bodily injury through contact with moving instrumentation, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, bodily fluids, communicable diseases and any other conditions common in a healthcare environment. Subject to unpleasant odors.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Perform initial, semi-annual, and unscheduled assessments.
Perform additional physical assessments of participants as needed and develop and implement appropriate treatment plans for participants.
Provide primary medical coverage in collaboration with PACE physicians.
Function as a member of the interdisciplinary team, maintaining regular attendance at and participation in interdisciplinary team meetings; communicating participant changes, collaborating on care planning decisions, and coordinating 24 hour care delivery.
Integrate the primary care treatment plan into the overall plan of care developed by the interdisciplinary team.
Interact with team members to meet emergent and acute needs of participants.
Participate in hospital and skilled facility discharge planning for return to home or short or long-term placement.
Evaluate and treat participants during acute illness. •
Manage participants’ chronic illnesses and conditions in collaboration with physician(s).
Manage care of participants in nursing facilities making regular visits as dictated by [Asian Heritage Healthcare] standards and participant need. Make telephone contact with nursing home staff as needed.
Provide preventive health care and maintenance for participants, including immunizations, screenings, and monitoring of pertinent indicators. Follow the [Asian Heritage Healthcare]’s clinical protocols.
Prudently prescribe medications, therapies and other treatments for participants.
In consultation with a Physician, refer participants to medical specialists.
Make hospital or home visits when needed.
Participate in night and weekend call rotation.
Work with Medical Director and Clinic Supervisor to formulate clinical policies, procedures, and standards of care.
At the direction of the Medical Director, review medical outcomes/statistical and utilization data, including review of necessity of hospitalizations and use of specialists. When problems are identified work with the Medical Director to establish best practices and with clinical staff and interdisciplinary team to make appropriate procedural and or operational changes to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and improve the health of participants.
Participate in workgroups/committees, such as infection control or utilization review) as assigned by Medical Director.
Assist with the development of standards of care; perform on-going monitoring and evaluation of patient care practice and service delivery; provide guidance and training to staff regarding medical and quality assurance issues.
Advise the Medical Director and Physician(s) in ways and means to establish better accountability of services to participants and referral sources.
Keep Medical Director informed of needed material and human resources as program expands.
Act as a resource during intake of new participants and in the day to day operation of the center programs and as a resource for patient safety.
Provide teaching and clinical support to staff.
Assume responsibility for professional activities and growth. Maintain professional affiliations and any required certifications. Keep abreast of current nursing knowledge, especially in the field of geriatrics by attending professional seminars and conferences.
Participate in staff meetings and monthly in-service meetings.
Participate in peer review with Medical Group.
Champion necessary and continuous changes to improve quality of clinical services.
Take it upon self to educate others related to policies and procedures when non-compliance is observed.
Anticipate problems and acts to avoid the escalation of problems.
Follow all Policies and Procedures and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety guidelines.
Protect privacy and maintain confidentiality of all company procedures and information about employees, participants, and families.
Practice standard precautions and follow organization’s established infection control procedures.
Participate in and support Quality Improvement initiatives.
Perform other duties as required or requested.