Nurse Practitioner/ Physician Assistant (NP/PA) – Hospitalist

Department: Medical/Surgical Hospital Unit

Hours: Fulltime, Day Shift, Monday-Friday

Description:

Position Overview:

The Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant (NP/PA) – Hospitalist provides inpatient clinical care in collaboration with the telehealth hospitalist service and the interdisciplinary care team. This role is responsible for delivering high-quality, efficient patient care, supporting timely hospital discharges, and contributing to improved patient satisfaction and quality outcomes. The NP/PA maintains excellent communication with primary care providers, patients, and families to ensure coordinated and patient-centered care.

Practice is performed in accordance with Iowa scope of practice laws, hospital medical staff bylaws, and credentialing privileges.

• Conduct daily rounds for a diverse panel of hospitalized patients, including patients with complex medical conditions and comorbidities.
• Perform patient assessments, diagnosis, treatment management, patient education, health promotion, and care coordination.
• Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests and laboratory studies as appropriate.
• Collaborate with physicians and telehealth hospitalists in developing and implementing appropriate patient care plans.
• Initiate and manage treatment plans according to established protocols, clinical guidelines, and scope of practice.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members to ensure continuity and quality of care throughout the hospitalization.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, primary care providers, and consulting providers.
• Document all care, interventions, and communications accurately and in a timely manner in the electronic medical record in accordance with regulatory requirements and organizational policies.
• Maintain patient safety and demonstrate situational awareness in a dynamic clinical environment.
• Complies with departmental, organizational, and regulatory guidelines, including American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Codes of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
• Assumes other duties and responsibilities that are related and appropriate to the position and area. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and are not to be considered as all-inclusive.

Minimum Education and/or Experience Required:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Physician Assistant (PA) degree required.
• Minimum of five years’ NP or PA experience, including hospitalist experience.
• Experience collaborating with a telehealth hospitalist service is preferred.

Additional Qualifications:

• Basic computer skills; ability to document in electronic medical records.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Must be able to read, write, comprehend, and verbally communicate in English fluently.
• Integrity and ability to work independently. Initiative to take on tasks without being told.
• Extremely strong attention to detail.
• Adaptive to change, embraces change with optimism.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated empathy and compassion.
• Ability to prioritize assignments and manage time efficiently.
• Ability to function effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to safely operate technologies and equipment associated with the role.
• Ability to work outside of regularly scheduled hours when necessary to meet patient care needs.
• Ability to provide accurate, effective care under pressure and in stressful situations.

Licensure/Certification Required:

• For NP: Current Iowa Registered Nurse (RN) license and current Iowa Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) license.
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) certification – offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation (AACN) preferred.
• For PA: Current Iowa PA license. PA-C (Physician Assistant-Certified) credential from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Certificate.
• Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Certificate.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification. (BLS is not required for staff with Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications).
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification preferred.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification preferred.

Physical/Cognitive Requirements:

• Sit: Occasionally
• Stand: Constant
• Walk: Frequent
• Lift:
  • 10 pounds Frequent
  • 25 pounds: Frequent
  • 50 pounds*: Occasionally
  • 75 pounds*: Occasionally
  • Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
• Carry:
  • 10 pounds: Frequent
  • 25 pounds: Frequent
  • 50 pounds*: Occasionally
  • 75 pounds*: Occasionally
  • Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
• Push/Pull:
  • 10 pounds: Frequent
  • 25 pounds: Frequent
  • 50 pounds*: Occasionally
  • 75 pounds*: Occasionally
  • Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
• Squat/Kneel/Crouch: Frequent
• Climb: Occasionally
• Balance: Occasionally
• Twist: Occasionally
• Bend/Stoop: Occasionally
• Crawl: Occasionally
• Grasp/Grip: Frequent
• Talk: Constant
• Hear: Constant
• See: Constant

• Anything greater than 50 pounds- assist of two or more, or mechanical lift are required.

Environmental Factors:

• May be exposed to communicable diseases due to working in a health care environment.
• Works in a well-illuminated climate-controlled environment.
• Moderate noise level when machines/equipment in use but typically quiet environment.
• May come in contact with blood and other body fluids.

Organizational Relationships:

Reports To: Medical Staff President

Operational Direction From: Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

Clinical Collaboration: Medical Surgical Director and Telehealth Hospitalist Team

Employees supervised: None