Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner - Mycobacterial and Respiratory Infections

Summary

Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

General Summary

To provide patient care in the appropriate setting, for example, Inpatient Units, Outpatient clinic areas, and Triage.  To provide regular health assessments, diagnosis, and management of common acute and chronic stable conditions.  To formulate plans that includes treatment, psychosocial support, health education and counseling.  To collaborate with other health professionals in assessing and managing health care problems, to maintain continuity of care and to coordinate community services. To contribute to the development, maintenance, evaluation, and change of the health care delivery system.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Provides quality care to patients, families, and significant others in appropriate setting, utilizing the nursing process in management of health maintenance, health promotion, chronic, and acute conditions.
2. Performs and documents the physical exam, takes patient history, gathers data from the medical record, reviews outside medical records, makes contact with referring physician(s), and develops an assessment and plan of care as specified above.
3. Acts as a consultant to nursing staff, medical staff, and other support services in identification of and implementation related to specified patient problems or needs.
4. Monitors progress of each patient and revises orders and care plans as needed and monitors test results.  Identifies problems that may need special attention or more acute care.
5. Writes progress notes and works with the attending physician to facilitate the review and approval of the clinical dictations for individual patient encounters.  Keeps problem sheets up-to-date and maintains communication with referring physicians and other health care providers as necessary.            
6. Demonstrates theory‑based patient care and a synthesis of information into a comprehensive plan of care utilizing a multidisciplinary approach.
7. Performs competencies (including age-specific competencies) as identified through the departmental competency program.
8. Implements care and services that recognize age-specific needs and issues for customers served.
9. Acts as a consultant and presents clinically current educational programs to requesting community groups, organizations, or individuals.
10. Contributes to the education of others by performing any 2 of the following:  (a) assists in the development and/or updating of approved teaching materials; (b) regularly participates in the Skills Review competency program serving as a reviewer; (c) participates in the presentation of one approved educational program, assuming a leadership role; (d) precepts undergraduate/graduate students or visiting professionals as requested.
11. Participates in the development, data collection and analysis of team-based quality improvement projects, utilizing results to improve patient care.
12. Supports research projects that will contribute to patient‑care standards, staff development and the mission of the institution.
13. Actively seeks out and shares current research &/or clinical practice guidelines to direct current nursing practice.
14. Functions as a role model and encourages professional behaviors in dealing with patients, families, significant others, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
15. Active contributor to the setting and achievement of departmental goals and objectives based upon a needs assessment and or changes in clinical practice.
16. Represents unit and/or the Department of Nursing on appropriate committees and interacts with community, regional, and national organizations related to nursing and specialty practice.
17. Consistently demonstrates positive customer & interdisciplinary relations as evidenced by: (a) less than 2 verified complaints per year and (b) assisting with problem-solving departmentally and on the unit.
18. Abides by the applicable policies of National Jewish (e.g., clinical, IRB, hospital policies, etc.), agrees individually to comply with all laws, rules and regulations concerning advanced nursing practice, including but not limited to Joint Commission Medicare and Medicaid rules and regulations.
19. Maintains current relevant provider license, maintains current BLS and/or ACLS or PALS certification and keeps up-to-date with changes in regulations.  Those staff assigned to triage or procedure areas must maintain either ACLS or PALS as appropriate.  Current license and relevant certifications must be provided to the appropriate supervisor.
20. Demonstrates respect for co-workers by timeliness, active listening, and positive conflict resolution.
21. Belongs to at least one professional nursing organization.
22. Performs all other duties as assigned.

General Responsibilities

1. Performs, as directed, safety compliance and uses Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as needed.
2. Participates in Quality Assessment (QA) and Quality Improvement (QI) programs, as directed.
3. Ensures compliance with The Joint Commission and all other Federal, State and Regulatory Agencies.
4. Responds promptly and sincerely to customer’s needs, requests and concerns via all communication forms using easily understood language and refraining from using inappropriate language and non-verbal gestures.
5. Maintains positive working relationships as a team player through problem solving issues, speaking positively about others, listening attentively and observing the Patient Bill of Rights and Confidentiality.
6. Increases customer service knowledge, skill and ability by participating in department and institution-wide specific programs.
7. Incorporates National Jewish’s identity (Science Transforming Life®) into daily functions.  Speaks positively about the institution, provides customers with prompt service, maintains a clean and safe working environment, dresses appropriately based upon National Jewish safety standards, and departmental policies and wears an ID badge visibly.

Knowledge and Skills

None

Education

Must have current Certification by a national certifying body as a nurse practitioner. Graduate degree preferred, but also required for all NPs who were not already on the Colorado Advanced Practice Registry as of June 30, 2008.  Graduation from accredited school of nursing required.

Certification and Licensure

Current Colorado RN license required, APN license required. Healthcare provider level CPR/BLS required every 2 years.  Staff assigned to high-risk areas (Cardiology, MIDC, PCU, Infusion Room) must maintain either ACLS or PALS as appropriate.

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of recent and related experience as a nurse practitioner preferred. 

- or - Any equivalent combination of Education and/or Experience 

Working Conditions

Position is in a clinical nursing environment.  Frequent requirements may include: reading and comprehending medical literature, including interpretation of disease processes, medical charts, nursing/medical journals and books, medication instructions and physician notes and instructions.  Also includes calculations of adult and/or pediatric medication dosages, IV administration, review of vital signs, spirometry, percentiles and interpretation of graphs and lab values.  Communication includes ability to provide comprehensive and accurate nursing progress notes, communication with interdisciplinary team as well as with differing ages and levels of maturity/understanding of patient and family, committee reports, discharge plans for patients, memos to staff members, taking and recording telephone messages.  Manual dexterity is needed to write notes while holding a chart, manipulating and operating equipment such as non-invasive blood pressure monitoring device, IV pump, oximeter, Jaeger for spirometry testing.  Frequently has the need to assist a patient by moving or lifting.  Also involves pushing wheelchairs, opening doors and cabinets, reaching for medications or objects.  Physical Demands may include the ability to lift up to 25 pounds. Incumbent must be able to bend in order to retrieve a fallen object for a patient.  Mental demands include, concentration, alertness, memory, judgment, ability to analyze, ability to apply logical thinking to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Occasional requirements may include: sitting while completing paperwork, kneeling, and squatting. Incumbent may be scheduled to work an alternate schedule to accommodate essential business needs; routine travel by foot or automobile to alternate work/meeting locations may be required, possibly during inclement weather.

Environmental Conditions

Inside environmental conditions may include: Handling syringes and needles and have the potential for coming into contact with bloodborne pathogens.  Has frequent exposure to infectious diseases.  Occasionally, may encounter radiation from portable radiology procedures.  May come into contact with various fumes/odors.  May come into contact with toxic waste while providing chemotherapy.  Also may encounter contaminated biological waste from infectious patients.  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided to each employee when needed as determined by policy.  Utilization of PPE is mandatory.  Estimated 1700 employees in worksite.

Management/Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Salary Range: $93,487 - $122,677

Benefits
At National Jewish Health, we recognize that our outstanding faculty and staff are the essence of our organization. For every aspect of health care, our employees are our greatest asset.
With that in mind, we have designed a valuable, comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

• Medical Plans, Dental Plans and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• FSA and HSA
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance and AD&D
• Voluntary Benefits, like Accident Insurance, Critical Care and Hospital Indemnity
• Sick and Vacation Paid Time Off
• Wellness Program
• Legal Plan