Nurse Practitioner/Physical Assistant

Job Summary:

The Advanced Practice Provider provides comprehensive, high-quality primary care services to a diverse patient population, particularly in underserved communities. This includes diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses, performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting tests, prescribing medications, and educating patients on health management. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:  

MEDICAL CARE

Direct Patient Care

• Provide primary care, treatment, and health education for patients
• within the scope of practice as defined by State law, supervising physician guidelines, and clinic protocols.  Such treatment will emphasize continuity of care, health promotion, and disease prevention. It will include, but not be limited to, health history, physical examination, acute and chronic care, and the prescribing and/or dispensing of required medical therapeutics.
• Document the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care through the use and maintenance of problem-oriented medical records.
• Perform or order laboratory tests as per clinic protocols and CLIA guidelines.
• Review laboratory test results and other medically related reports regularly, following up on abnormal results.
• Review and return patient phone calls as appropriate.

Referrals

• Refer patients as appropriate and necessary for specialty and/or supportive care and testing, assure continuity of care for referred patients through consultation with medical specialists, contributing to the patient treatment schedule, and maintaining ongoing medical review of patient care and progress.

PROVIDING EDUCATION

Community

• Participate in the planning and implementation of community-based health education initiatives, including but not limited to formal and informal public presentations, screening clinics, newsletter articles, etc.

Staff

• Participate in planning and implementing in-service activities for health center staff.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

• Participate in the development, implementation, audit, and continuous evaluation and improvement of protocols, services and programs provided by the health center.

OTHER

• Acts as mentor to and for clinical and non-clinical staff.   Encourages and participates in continual professional development and encourages staff to do the same.
• Works to improve clinical practice that benefits both patients and the organizational mission.  Participates in Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement projects that will enhance patient outcomes and organizational efficiencies.
• Works with Directors/Managers/Supervisors of NCHC, ensuring continued regulatory compliance and success of organizational goals, objectives, and strategic plan.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  The incumbents may be required to perform job-related tasks beyond those stated in this description.

Position Qualifications:

Education

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program.  
• Licensed in the State of Vermont.  
• Certified by a relevant National Certification Examination.  
• DEA License appropriate for the scope of practice as defined by State law and clinic protocols.

Experience: 

• Experience or training in a primary care medical practice setting.
• An Adult or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with a minimum of one year of experience in a clinical practice providing care to all age groups.  
• Experience in a community-based primary care practice or program is helpful.

Knowledge and Ability: 

• An understanding of the concept of community-oriented Primary care.  
• Able to work within a team concept, maintaining positive and constructive interactions with the public and with staff at all levels of the organization.   
• Must have proficiency in computer skills, including, but not limited to, email functions, spreadsheets, document processing, and Electronic Medical Records.  
• Must maintain a high level of confidentiality. 

Typical Physical Demands:  

• Requires a full range of body motion, including handling 
• and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.   
• Requires standing and walking for extended periods.  
• Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 50 pounds.  
• Requires normal visual acuity and hearing.  
• Requires exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.   
• Requires working under stress in emergencies during irregular hours.