SOUTH TEXAS RENAL CARE GROUP

NURSE PRACTITIONER

Description: A mid-level provider who is managing nephrology patients in the San Antonio area. The Nurse Practitioner will evaluate and manage patients with all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD).

Provide high quality patient care under the supervision of a physician, within the scope of training and education. Assess patient care plans and provides comprehensive patient care independently or in autonomous collaboration with other health professionals. Cooperates with other health care personnel to coordinate patient care and establish mutual goals. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Demonstrate and fosters a commitment to patient satisfaction and teamwork.

Essential Functions:

• Evaluate patient's health status through the collection and assessment of heath data. Examines and treats patients. Order, interpret and follow-up on diagnostic studies and makes diagnosis under agreed upon protocols.
• Collects subjective and objective data. Uses data to identify health care problems and accurately documents data, actions or interventions. Develops and implement plans of care and follow-up. Documents patient's response to plan of care.
• Provides health teaching and health counseling to patients and their families including comprehensive discussions of complex diagnostic and treatment options and end-of-life issues.
• Refers patients who need further treatment, evaluation or assistance to various medical providers and community agencies.
• Maintains clinical competence through attending educational seminars and programs and is responsible for maintaining professional certification.
• Effectively collaborates with all members of the health care team.

Outpatient dialysis responsibilities:

• Manage hemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis patient per KDOQI guidelines.
• Assess, diagnose, and manage complications of ESRD including anemia, hypertension, bone disease, fluid and electrolyte imbalances and vascular access.
• Assists dialysis unit staff in preventing and treating complications of dialysis therapy.
• Coordinates and promotes continuity of care with other healthcare providers and facilities.
• Assess, diagnose, and manage episodic health problems of ESRD patients.
• Participates in monitoring quality of care and promoting improvement in quality outcomes through attending monthly quality assurance meetings.
• Participates in monthly care plan meeting with the interdisciplinary team to evaluate patient's progress and appropriateness of the plan of care.
• Assist in developing and maintaining evidenced-based clinical protocols.

Clinic Responsibilities:

• Manage chronic kidney disease patients (stages 1 to 5), focusing on care that promotes health and preventing further decline in renal function.
• Provides chronic kidney disease patient education including understanding the disease process, renal diet, reviewing labs and diagnostic studies, medications and renal replacement therapies.
• Assist in administrative duties such as quality management, referrals, chart review and medication refills.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in nursing, together with a license as a validated nurse practitioner and as a registered nurse.
• Demonstrate appropriate skills, and utilize safety ethics as recognized by the institution.
• Ability to carry out duties effectively in emergency circumstances following instituted protocols, maintaining calmness, communicating with the appropriate persons, and recording events.