Nurse Practitioner duties and responsibilities

A Nurse Practitioner’s duties and responsibilities vary depending on their specialization. For example, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner has training in behavioral health and case management, whereas an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner focuses on short-term treatment. Regardless of the specialization, Nurse Practitioners have a few general responsibilities, including:

• Providing primary care to patients
• Performing initial examinations, including physical exams and patient observations
• Setting up and monitoring medical equipment
• Ordering and administering diagnostic tests
• Communicating test results to patients and their families
• Recording patient medical histories
• Operating and maintaining medical equipment

A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse that helps with all aspects of patient care, including diagnosis, treatments and consultations. They may work in both inpatient and outpatient situations and can perform independently or as part of a treatment team. Generally, nurse practitioners perform the important task of educating patients about preventative care and prescribed treatments. They may also conduct physicals, order tests and serve as a patient's primary healthcare provider. Some nurse practitioners are also able to prescribe medications

Qualifications:

 Graduate of an accredited school of nursing

 Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program

 Current Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Licensure

 Current Nurse Practitioner certification in specialty area

 Current CNOR/CRNFA (if applicable) certification

 Current provider card in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); PALS provider card as required by department and facility

 Strong computer skills, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Experience: Minimum of 1-2 years OR clinical perioperative experience. 1-2 years’ experience in the Nurse Practitioner role preferred.

Skills: Nursing skills as defined as generally accepted standards of practice. Good interpersonal skills. Proof of current CPR.

Transportation: Reliable transportation and valid auto liability insurance.

Environmental and Working Conditions: Works in patients'/clients in various conditions; possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids and infections diseases; must have the ability to work a flexible schedule and the ability to travel locally; some exposure to unpleasant weather; PRN emergency call.

Role

The Nurse Practitioner is a licensed independent practitioner who is responsible for managing health problems and coordinating health care for the perioperative patient in accordance with State and Federal rules and regulations and the nursing standards of care (assessment of health status, diagnosis, development of plan of care and treatment, implementation of treatment plan, and evaluation of patient status) 1, 2. Perioperative preparation and postoperative clinical management is conducted in collaboration with other health care team members.

Essential responsibilities

 Functions independently to perform age-appropriate history and physical for complex acute, critical, and chronically ill perioperative patients.

 Orders and interprets diagnostic and therapeutic tests relative to patient’s age-specific needs.

 Prescribes appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities

 Implements interventions to support the patient to regain or maintain physiologic stability, including but not limited to serving in the first assisting role.

 Assists with the provision of surgical care in accordance with facility, state, and federal regulations.

 Monitors the effectiveness of interventions.

 Facilitates the patient’s transition within and between health care settings, e.g. admitting, transferring, and discharging patients.

 Collaborates with multidisciplinary team members by making appropriate referrals.

 Facilitates staff, patient and family decision making by providing educational tools.

To be recognized as expert health care providers and ensure the highest quality of care, NPs undergo rigorous national certification, periodic peer review, clinical outcome evaluations and adhere to a code for ethical practices. Self-directed continued learning and professional development is also essential to maintaining clinical competency.

Additionally, to promote quality health care and improve clinical outcomes, NPs lead and participate in both professional and health care forums, conduct research and apply findings to clinical practice