Licensed Nurse Practitioner

Our Clinic’s Commitment

Our rural health clinic is dedicated to health equity. We believe that physical or intellectual disability should never be a barrier to high-quality healthcare. All staff are expected to participate in ongoing training regarding neurodiversity and adaptive care to ensure every member of our community feels safe.

In our rural clinic, the NP serves as the primary clinical lead for an underserved community. This role requires a versatile provider capable of managing chronic conditions, acute illness, and the complex needs of patients with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Key Job Responsibilities

Assistance for everyone can range from occasional verbal reminders to total assistance by the staff, according to the functioning level of the individual

• Provide comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare as the primary clinical lead for an underserved rural community across the entire lifespan.

• Manage acute illnesses and chronic conditions for the general patient population while addressing the complex medical needs of individuals with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities (IDD).

• Conduct behavioral health screenings and psychiatric evaluations tailored for neurodivergent or non-verbal patients to ensure accurate mental health support.

• Provide Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and coordinate recovery services for patients struggling with substance use disorders within the rural health framework.

• Develop and oversee individualized, person-centered care plans for patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disabilities, and co-occurring behavioral challenges.

• Manage medical comorbidities common in the IDD and behavioral health populations, such as epilepsy, metabolic syndromes, or side effects from psychotropic medications.

• Stabilize urgent medical or psychiatric cases and coordinate safe transfers to higher levels of care when necessary.

• Lead the transition of care for adolescents with complex needs into adult medicine while navigating legalities like supported decision-making and medical power of attorney.

• Maintain "demand persistence" and professional composure during high-stress, oppositional, or crisis moments without engaging in power struggles.

• Utilize the Medicaid Waiver Management Application (MWMA) and comply with Kentucky-specific waiver and DCBS regulations to ensure service eligibility and program integrity.

• Apply "Disability Etiquette" by adapting all clinical communication and environment to meet the specific cognitive, sensory, and emotional needs of the patient.

• Follow strict safety and emergency protocols, including providing First Aid and collaborating with emergency services if a patient’s safety is at risk.

• Collaborate with community partners and waiver case managers to ensure clinical goals align with the patient’s social and community inclusion objectives.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Training and/or Experience:

• Advanced Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited program.

• Clinical Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of experience providing primary care or behavioral health services specifically to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

• Behavioral Health Expertise: Proven experience in managing complex behavioral health profiles, including non-verbal communication cues, neurodivergent sensory needs, and psychotropic medication management.

• System Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the Medicaid Waiver Management Application (MWMA) and Kentucky 1915(c) waiver regulations (SCL, MPW, HCB).

• Compliance Training: Documented training in Health Care Fraud, Waste, and Abuse prevention and "Person-Centered" care planning.

Language/Math/Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to draft professional medical necessity letters for specialized equipment or high-level waiver services.

• Ability to synthesize complex clinical data into clear, accessible language for families and non-clinical support staff.

• Ability to apply advanced common sense and diagnostic reasoning to navigate "diagnostic overshadowing"—ensuring physical ailments aren't misattributed to a patient's disability.

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.

• Ability to write simple correspondence.

• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to individuals, families, and other employees of the organization.

• Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide.

• Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

• Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in

written, oral, or diagram form.

• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Licenses, Police Check, Registration, and Certifications:

• Current Driver's License and maintains proper vehicle insurance coverage.

• Acceptable background checks from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC); the Kentucky Nurse Aid Registry (KNAR); and the Central Registry (CAN). with no violations involving abuse, neglect, assault, theft, or other potential client rights issues.

• Ability to obtain and maintain FirstAid/ CPR certification, CORE training from the College of Direct Support training.

• Current, unencumbered Kentucky Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license.

• Preference for Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

• Valid DEA registration and active KASPER account for monitoring controlled substances.

• Maintain TB screen (which may include a TB screen) and the physical ability to perform the duties. Submit to and pass Drug screening upon hire, then random drug screens.