Nurse Practitioner

Job Description

"Description Summary:

Under direction, provides primary health care to patients by assessing their physical, developmental, and psycho—social status by means of obtaining their health history and conducting physical examinations and diagnostic tests; interprets test results data, develops and implements plans of health care management and follow through on the continuum of care of patients; implements health care plans through independent action, appropriate referrals, health counseling, guidance, and instruction of patients and collaboration with a physician and other members of the health care team; does related work as required.

Responsibilities

• Manages specific common deviations from wellness, including stabilized long term illnesses.

• Assess the physical, developmental, and psycho—social health status of individuals in a variety of settings through collection of health data.

• Interview and counsel patients and/or parents and families in order to compile a complete medical history, and counsel patients and/or parents and families on any problems which may arise during interview.

• Performs complete physical examinations which includes but is not limited to observation, taking blood pressure, weight, height, and blood samples, palpation, percussion and auscultation, utilizing the appropriate tools and instruments.

• Performs inspection of the patient’s eyes including the testing of the eyes by eye chart, illiterate eye chart, and titmus machine.

• Performs inspection of the cervix through internal examinations including obtaining cytological specimens for study to determine development of disease.

• Performs inspection of the rectum and colon including obtaining cytological and/or stool samples for study to determine abnormalities and/or disease.

• Performs inspection of the genital organs and abdomen to determine the presence of hydrocele, inguinal hernias as well as other hernias, undescended testicles, hypospadia and malformation of the prepuce.

• Performs examination of the ear in order to detect ear infections or other disease and abnormalities.

• Performs hearing screens for deafness or hearing impairment including tone tests and V.A.S.C. audiometers and tuning forks.

• Performs throat and nose examinations for the identification of infections, growths, irregular tonsils and adenoids including the gathering of throat cultures for identification of disease.

• Performs examination of the chest, including auscultation of the heart for detection of heart murmur and other irregularities as well as examination by auscultation of the lungs and bronchial tubes to determine asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other pulmonary diseases.

• Makes accurate identification of problems/diagnosis based upon correct interpretation of findings.

• Evaluates patient need for immediate nursing intervention, consultation, and other health team referrals.

• Monitors all aspects of the therapeutic regimen.

• Records patient responses and progress.

• Advises patient/or parent/guardian and family regarding nursing needs.

• Provides for these needs as appropriate.

• Advises patient and/or parent/guardian and family on other therapeutic measures.

• Counsels patients and/or parent/guardian and family as to findings; refers patient to licensed physician for necessary follow-up and treatment.

• Performs, orders, and interprets routine laboratory tests.

• Develops a health maintenance plan for patient including health education, disease prevention, and general anticipatory guidance.

• Education, disease prevention, and general anticipatory guidance. Provides periodic health supervision of well-baby primary preventive health care and examinations.

• Provides clinical management within medical protocols of children with uncomplicated childhood diseases.

• Provides care of infants including regulation of nutrition, cleanliness, and environmental surroundings through the education of parents and families.

• Provides health education and counseling to children, parents, and families including the psycho—social dimensions in the area of nutrition, psycho—motor development, and family life and the cultural and social implications.

• Performs routine examination of the skeletal system for abnormalities or diseases of the bone.

• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

• Serve as preceptor as assigned by CMO

• Performs all other related duties as required or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the normal pediatric care of infants and children from postnatal care to adulthood.

• Knowledge of normal physical and psycho—sexual development among children and adults.

• Knowledge of appropriate management and interpretation of diagnostic studies and tests.

• Ability to conduct physical examinations which include eye, ear, nose, throat, thorax, abdomen, pelvic, rectal, colon, and orthopedic and general physical development.

• Ability to observe and report symptoms and conditions of patients. Ability to administer medications.

• Ability to analyze and interpret test and examination results and to communicate those results effectively with agency clients.

• Ability to prepare clear, informative, and accurate medical and other reports.

• Ability to establish and maintain suitable records and files.

• Ability to secure and interpret a general health history from patient, parents, or families.

• Ability to recognize common medical problems or deviations from normality.

• Ability to make an assessment of psychological, social, and cultural aspects and behavioral aspects of parenting.

• Ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care collectively with other health care professionals.

• Ability to interpret data obtained through a systematic assessment of all body systems in order to differentiate normal from abnormal states.

• Ability t& obtain clinical, laboratory, and diagnostic information, and interpret the resultant data.

• Ability to institute appropriate biophysical monitoring techniques and interpret the resultant data.

• Ability to utilize historical, clinical, and biophysical data in collaboration with physicians to formulate a diagnosis.

• Ability to initiate appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational interventions including consultations and referrals.

• Ability to evaluate and document responses to interventions and modify the plan of care as indicated.

• Ability to interpret current research findings to determine appropriateness for application to practice and standards of care.

• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish sufficient to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Education and Experience

Requires current USVI licensure as a Nurse Practitioner from the Virgin Islands Board of Nurse Licensure

Graduation from a recognized college or university program with a Master of Science degree in Nursing, with additional course work in the category of advanced practice nursing which is appropriate to the position, plus a minimum of four (4) years work experience in a clinical setting with specific experience functioning as a nurse practitioner; or

Graduation from a recognized college or university four (4) year program with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing Services, with additional course work in the category of advanced practice nursing which is appropriate to the position, plus a minimum of six (6) years work experience in a clinical setting with specific experience functioning as a nurse practitioner.

OSHA Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure (Please Check One):

Category I: Job classification includes ALL employees who have occupational exposure* to blood borne pathogens* (blood or body fluids) while performing their job duties.

Category II: Job classification includes employees who are likely to have SOME occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens because Category I tasks may occasionally be required.

Category III: Job Classification includes those employees who perform jobs and tasks where NO CONTACT with blood borne pathogens occurs and Category I and Category II tasks ARE NOT a condition of employment.

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